Early Hearing
Idaho Strengthens Newborn Hearing Screening Through SB1294
Effective July 1, 2026, newborn hearing screening will officially be added to Idaho’s newborn screening laws, helping ensure that babies born in Idaho receive hearing screening shortly after birth alongside other standard newborn health screenings.
Congenital hearing loss is one of the most common conditions identified through newborn screening programs. Research consistently shows that early identification and intervention lead to significantly improved language, educational, communication, and developmental outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Although newborn hearing screening has already been widely practiced in Idaho hospitals for many years, Senate Bill 1294 (SB1294) formally places hearing screening into Idaho statute to strengthen and protect the statewide screening process.
Links & Resources
- Idaho Sound Beginnings is Idaho’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program. Since 2000, the program has helped ensure that infants who are deaf or hard of hearing are identified early and connected with the services and support they need to thrive. (pdf)
- Text HEAR to 274 448! The HEAR program is a specialty track within Lantern’s larger network, specifically designed for families of children ages birth to 3 years with suspected or confirmed hearing loss. Messages are a mix of information and encouragement, delivered once per week for 6 months. The program is available in English and Spanish.
- Idaho EHDI System Map (pdf)
- 2024 Hearing Screen Brochure (pdf)
- EHDI presentation - 12/12/2024 (pdf)
- Concerned about your child's hearing? Text HEAR to 274-448 (pdf)
- Advisory Committee Notes (docx)
- Medical Health Portal - Hearing Screening (website)
- Idaho Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Information (website)
- Idaho Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (website)
- Center of Disease Control and Prevention - Hearing Loss Information (website)
- 2 Ears 2 Learn - a Non-Profit for Children with Microtia and Aural Atresia (website)
- Sleep machines at full volume may be damaging to infant hearing (website)
- Call to Action for Hearing Screen Referrals (pdf)
- Newborn Hearing Screening Checklist (pdf)