2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/17/2026 | 9:40 AM - 10:40 AM | Strategies for Improving Loss to Follow-Up for Newborn Hearing Screening | River Terrace 3/Deck 3
Strategies for Improving Loss to Follow-Up for Newborn Hearing Screening
Loss to follow-up has been a critical concern since the universal newborn hearing screening was first introduced. The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) guidelines recommends the 1-3-6 model, ensuring patients are screened by one month, receive a hearing loss diagnosis by three months, and receive intervention for hearing loss by six months. However, many families do not return for follow-up testing following a failed newborn hearing screening. This presentation seeks to provide strategies for reducing loss to follow-up for pediatric audiologists seeing patients for diagnostic ABRs or newborn hearing screenings. These strategies include employing a full time bilingual staff member to track ABR referrals and results, communicate and build relationships with families, and ensure caregivers and pediatricians understand the importance of the newborn hearing screening. In addition, a remote ABR program was strategically created for patients in a rural rea without access to pediatric audiology services, to improve access to care across the state. Additional strategies related to counseling, educational materials provided at the time of screening and provider education will be discussed.
- Participants will be able to describe the potential benefits of a patient care navigator or advocate dedicated to newborn hearing screening follow-up on improving 1-3-6 numbers.
- Participants will be able to explain how a remote auditory brainstem response (ABR) program can be used to improve 1-3-6 numbers in rural areas.
- Participants will be able to describe various strategies clinics can employ to ensure appropriate follow-up following a failed hearing screening.
Presentation:
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Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Jennifer Wickesberg
(Co-Author), Texas Hearing Institute, jwickesberg@texashearing.org;
Dr. Wickesberg joined Texas Hearing Institute’s Audiology Department in 2006. She received her Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology from Oklahoma State University, her Master of Science in Audiology from the University of North Texas and her Doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida.
Dr. Wickesberg currently serves as the Director of Audiology at Texas Hearing Institute. She is a Pediatric Audiologist and a Certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist. Dr. Wickesberg continues to specialize in both fields with a focus on cochlear implants, as well as listening and spoken language milestones for children identified with hearing loss. Her love of music and literacy has influenced her recent therapy focus to include an emphasis on melody as an integral part of early intervention for infants and children. Utilizing music therapy experiences as a vehicle to engage the entire family, she encourages a fun and motivating way to improve a child’s communication skills, building a strong neural foundation within the brain from infancy.
In addition to her clinical work, she shares her expertise and dedication to spoken language outcomes at the state, national, and international level; recruits and trains fourth-year Au.D. externs; and mentors other aspiring listening and spoken language professionals.
Dr. Wickesberg also lends her expertise in Pediatric Audiology to the LoneStar LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) program, teaching one of their 16 core disciplines. Its mission is to prepare future leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders and neurodevelopmental disabilities (ASD/ND), increase the rate of accurate diagnosis in Texas, empower families to be an active participant in their child’s treatment plan, and to improve ASD/ND service delivery.
She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), holds her certification as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist with the AG Bell Academy, and is a member of the Texas Academy of Audiology and the Texas Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
Sarah McAlexander
(Primary Presenter), Texas Hearing Institute, smcalexander@texashearing.org;
Dr. Sarah N. McAlexander is a pediatric audiologist with Texas Hearing Institute, a non-profit organization serving children with hearing loss in Houston, Texas. She earned her Doctorate of Audiology from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in 2021 with a specialization in Early Identification and Management of Children with Hearing Loss and her Bachelor of Science in Disability Studies and Child Studies from Vanderbilt University in 2017. She is the current chair for the American Academy of Audiology Foundation and the Student Academy of Audiology Advisory Committee. In addition, she currently serves as the secretary/treasurer for the Texas Academy of Audiology. Her interests include improving access to early hearing detection and intervention for pediatric patients with hearing loss, legislative issues and advocacy in audiology, and professional development for audiology students and new professionals.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Financial relationship with Texas Hearing Institute.
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Belen Ramirez
(Co-Presenter), Texas Hearing Institute, bramirez@texashearing.org;
Belen Ramirez is a Newborn Hearing Screening Advocate at Texas Hearing Institute. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health with a Minor in Biology from the University of Houston. Belen completed her internship with Texas Hearing Institute from January to April 2025, where she discovered a deep passion for early hearing detection and intervention. She is dedicated to supporting families and ensuring that newborns receive the screenings they need for a healthy start in life.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with .
Nature: .
Nonfinancial -
Non-Financial relationship with .
Nature: .