ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona gets grant to boost variety of services for newborns with hearing loss

Jun 17, 2024, 4:35 AM

Newborn hearing screenings, other services bolstered by new grant...

A baby can be seen taking a hearing test. (File photo By BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)

(File photo By BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has received an up to $235,000 dollar grant to increase access to newborn hearing screenings and related services.

The funds came from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

ADHS secured the funds through a partnership with the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing.

Pv Jantz, a family services specialist for the commission, said the funds will have a positive impact on the Valley.

They’ll help provide more newborn screenings for hearing loss, as well as follow-up care, he told KTAR News 92.3 FM through an interpreter.

More newborn hearing screenings for infants will benefit Arizona, expert says

Hearing screenings are done soon after childbirth. They’re an important method parents and doctors use to identify possible hearing loss in newborns.

“They, at three months, will be sent to an audiologist,” Jantz said, referring to babies who take hearing tests. “By six months, they will be able to identify if they have a hearing loss. Then they can start the early intervention process.”

This grant also calls for language acquisition services, Jantz said.

These services can help ensure children who are deaf or who have hearing loss can develop communication skills. Children can learn how to speak aloud, communicate with American Sign Language or use a combination of the two.

“So that all children from birth to ages five or six, during that critical language window, have the necessary access to language [services] in order to develop,” Jantz said.

The earlier children who may need these services can access them, the more likely they are to be both successful and independent in life.

Many children in Arizona are missing that critical language window

The news of the funding came after the Arizona Commission for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing reported a negative trend in terms of newborn hearing screenings.

The report found that the number of American children who have missed important follow-up treatments related to hearing loss has doubled since 2018.

Jantz said that’s partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, people were not always able to see medical specialists in a timely manner.

While hearing loss screenings are required by law in Arizona, parents do have the option to opt out.

Jantz recommends against opting out because parents are typically not able to identify hearing loss on their own in the first few years of a child’s life.

“Of course, we want all children to be healthy as possible and develop,” he said. “By taking the screening, that’s the best chance to do so.”

People who want to learn more about services related to hearing loss or deafness can reach out to the commission online or over the phone through 602-542-3323.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Brady Fire...

Danny Shapiro

Brady Fire forces evacuations for residents south of Prescott

The Brady Fire that sparked Monday afternoon forced evacuations for some residents south of Prescott, authorities said.

1 hour ago

Avondale man killed by Florida police after killing 2...

Serena O'Sullivan

Avondale man shot by Florida deputies after killing 2 in armed gas station robbery

Avondale man Dominic Caroway was killed in Florida after leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a manhunt following a fatal armed robbery.

2 hours ago

Arizona gas prices have risen by 28 cents per gallon in the last month....

Kevin Stone

Here’s why Arizonans are feeling more pain at pump than most of nation

Arizona gas prices have been rising at a significantly faster pace than the rest of the nation over the last month, and the worst is yet to come.

3 hours ago

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap has downsized his external communications staff from seven to ...

Associated Press

New Maricopa County recorder signals shift away from combating disinformation

Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap is moving away from the office's previous efforts to combat misinformation.

5 hours ago

2025 flu season worse than it's been in 15 years, data shows...

Serena O'Sullivan

Arizona nurse practitioner says this flu season is worse than last

The 2025 flu season is hitting Arizonans hard, with some patients staying sick for a whole week, according to a Banner Health nurse practitioner.

7 hours ago

climate change, young people, Mesa...

Roxanne De La Rosa

Young adults and teens combat climate change through Mesa initiative

A new Mesa grant initiative will allow young adults and teens to compete for funding for projects and ideas that address climate change.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax

How to optimize the most money in 2024 tax returns

As tax season begins, getting your financials in order is important to maximize your tax return.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

Arizona gets grant to boost variety of services for newborns with hearing loss