Hear early - New Mexico's universal newborn hearing screening program

Hear Early, New Mexico's newborn screening program, was established in 1996 . Thirty-one of the state's 32 birthing hospitals participate in the Hear E arly program that now screens 95% of New Mexico's 27,500 births. The author s' experience in developing this statewide system is described and the crit ical components and the rationale behind this program are addressed. The de velopment of Hear Early required input from a wide variety of professionals and consumers. Screening is only the first step in a comprehensive state p rogram, which must also include assessment and intervention. Systems develo pment, equipment issues, follow-up procedures, data management, and a track ing system are all pertinent factors. The various accomplishments and chall enges that Hear Early has encountered are discussed.