2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/17/2026 | 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM | Thinking Beyond the Clinic Walls | City Terrace 7
Thinking Beyond the Clinic Walls
Pediatric audiologists conduct comprehensive hearing assessments using age-appropriate and evidence-based testing measures for children from birth through adolescence. They fit and program hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other assistive listening devices, provide auditory habilitation, and implement individualized treatment plans based on the diagnostic findings and the child’s unique needs.
Conversations about supporting the child’s hearing loss journey and family engagement is an essential component of audiological clinical care. These include communication tools, self-advocacy skills, appropriate language around the child’s hearing loss and identity, and opportunities for inclusion & belonging.
The presentation will address how to think beyond the clinic walls by developing programs designed to meet families’ needs such as transition workshops, camp programs, parent support groups regarding habilitative care, linguistic and cultural access for non-English speaking families, and family-centered events. The presentation will also address the importance of identifying opportunities for holistic conversations between clinicians and parents & caregivers during clinical appointments about building the child’s positive identity of self, social connections, and broadening their support network. These will lead to increased family support and care, retention, and measurable outcomes for the child.
- Participants will be able to identify various programming that may benefit families and children
- Participants will be able to assess different types of conversations to have with families in the clinic
- Participants will be able to reevaluate best practices and approaches to inclusive care that reflects the whole child model
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
Charlotte Mullen
(Co-Presenter,Author), Boston Children's Hospital, charlotte.mullen@childrens.harvard.edu;
Charlotte Mullen, AuD is the primary pediatric audiologist for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program and Specialty Audiologist for Education and Training for the audiology program at Boston Children’s Hospital. She founded the Sound Outreach to Schools educational audiology program. Dr. Mullen has given numerous presentations to professional and parent groups. Her clinical work initially identified an increased incidence in hearing loss among children treated by extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Working closely with the Developmental Medicine Program, Dr. Mullen developed a clinical practice guideline for audiological monitoring which led to incorporation into the 2007 Joint Committee on Infant Hearing recommendations. Dr. Mullen is a founding member of the Audiology Clinical Education Network. She also coordinates the Virtual Pediatric Audiology meetings which provides a large forum for learning and discussing issues pertaining to pediatric practice.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Boston Children's Hospital.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Boston Children's Hospital.
Nature: Employee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Katie Prins McCarthy
(Primary Presenter,Author), Boston Children's Hospital, katie.mccarthy@childrens.harvard.edu;
Katie McCarthy is the Outreach and Support Services Coordinator for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Boston Children's Hospital. She oversees family-centered events, educational training needs, parent workshops and program development needs. Katie has been involved in the human services and healthcare sectors for over twenty years, first in marketing and management and currently in outreach and accessibility.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Boston Children's Hospital.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Boston Children's Hospital.
Nature: Salaried employee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.