2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/17/2026 | 2:15 PM - 2:45 PM | What They Didn’t Hear: The Hidden Variable in Interdisciplinary Assessment | City Terrace 9
What They Didn’t Hear: The Hidden Variable in Interdisciplinary Assessment
In many interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary developmental evaluations, audiology is often deprioritized, completed last or it’s omitted altogether. This can result in delayed identification of hearing loss, both temporary and permanent, fundamentally shaping and sometimes distorting clinical impressions, recommendations, or diagnoses. Untreated or unmanaged hearing loss is well-documented to contribute to delays in speech and language development, academic difficulties, and social-emotional challenges. Because these manifestations can closely mimic learning disorders, autism spectrum disorder, and attention difficulties, children are at an even greater risk of misdiagnosis and missed opportunities for timely intervention.
As a pediatric audiologist that is part of an interdisciplinary team, I have personally identified cases of hearing loss only after psychologists, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists have completed their evaluations. In these situations, undetected hearing loss may have influenced a child’s performance, behavior, or engagement during assessments, raising critical concerns about the diagnostic accuracy, the validity of test results, and fairness of subsequent clinical decisions.
This presentation will examine the clinical, developmental, and ethical implications of delayed audiological assessment, and highlight how unidentified hearing loss can affect conclusions across multiple disciplines. Practical strategies will be shared for advocating earlier audiological involvement in evaluation protocols, redesigning interdisciplinary workflows to center hearing as a foundation of child development, and driving systems-level change that recognizes audiology as integral rather than ancillary.
By reframing audiology as a critical starting point rather than a secondary consideration, interdisciplinary teams can enhance diagnostic accuracy, promote equity in developmental services, and ensure that children and families receive interventions that truly reflect their needs, when they need them most.
- Identify how undiagnosed hearing loss can affect outcomes across multiple disciplines
- Describe the clinical and ethical implications of delayed audiological evaluation in interdisciplinary assessment settings
- Apply strategies to advocate for earlier audiological involvement within interdisciplinary teams and assert the essential role of audiology in assessments
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Anna Fowler
(Primary Presenter,Author), University of Miami Department of Otolaryngology, axf1907@med.miami.edu;
Anna Fowler, Au.D., is a pediatric audiologist at the University of Miami’s Children’s Hearing Program. She earned her Doctor of Audiology degree from the Arizona School of Health Sciences (A.T. Still University). In addition to her clinical work, she serves as the Community Outreach Co-Chair for the department, helping to strengthen partnerships with families, schools, and community organizations to improve access to hearing healthcare.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Ivette Cejas
(Co-Author), University of Miami Department of Otolaryngology, icejas@med.miami.edu;
Dr. Ivette Cejas is an Associate Professor and Director of Family Support Services at the University of Miami Ear Institute. She is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Florida. Dr. Cejas is a well-known researcher in pediatric hearing loss, publishing extensively in this area and at numerous conferences. As part of the UM Children’s Hearing program she provides therapeutic services to children and families coping with a hearing loss diagnosis or comorbid disorders. She is an advocate for all children with hearing loss and organizes a comprehensive family program at UHealth to assist families through their journey with hearing loss. She is on the Board of Directors at AG Bell and is a member of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
Chrisanda Sanchez
(Co-Author), University of Miami Department of Otolaryngology, cmsanchez@med.miami.edu;
Dr. Chrisanda Sanchez is a bilingual pediatric audiologist at the University of Miami. She is an Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology and the Director of the Children’s Hearing Program at the University of Miami. Dr. Sanchez’s clinical career has centered around pediatrics, specializing in pediatric cochlear implants, hearing aids, and other implantable devices. Her research focuses on improving access to hearing healthcare for Spanish speaking patients and implantable devices, specifically targeting pediatric device implantation and outcomes.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from University of Miami.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with University of Miami.
Nature: Employed by UM.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.