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AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF

NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING 

MONTHLY

June 2023 | Issue 26

Lee Searcy and Joshua Rives are e3 MSR West Colorado NASED-certified technicians providing service for audiology instruments. (Photo courtesy e3 MSR West Colorado)

Calibrating equipment is key

The truth is, we cannot be confident that our newborn hearing screening results are accurate if we are not confident that our equipment is functioning properly. Calibration refers to the process of making sure that the sounds that you are presenting using your newborn hearing screening equipment are accurate.

IN THIS ISSUE

Calibrating equipment is key

Calibration frequency

Contingency plan for equipment failure

COEHDI support contact update

There are two types of calibration: subjective and objective. 

1. Subjective calibration is the process of looking for signs of wear or damage of your equipment and conducting listening checks (also referred to as biological checks) where you use your newborn hearing screening equipment to perform a screening on yourself. 
2. Objective calibration is the process of using specialized tools and specialized tests to assess the function of your newborn hearing screening equipment and ensure that the sounds you are presenting are accurate. 

In this issue, we walk you through the two types of calibration and provide information and resources to help ensure your equipment is functioning properly.

How often should my newborn hearing screening equipment be calibrated?

Contingency plan for equipment failure

Creating a written protocol or standard operating procedures (SOP) for newborn hearing screening at your facility is highly recommended to ensure consistency and a high standard of care. As part of this written protocol, we recommend making a contingency plan for equipment failure. This plan should spell out the course of action that should be taken in the event that your newborn hearing screening equipment malfunctions. 



Example contingency plan for equipment failure

1. Contact BioMed (if it is hospital policy) to evaluate the equipment failure. BioMeds are responsible for installation, maintenance, and repair of biomedical hospital equipment.
2. Contact the manufacturer of the equipment (if under warranty) or a third party service such as e3 MSR West Colorado (800-777-4130) to arrange for service/repair of the equipment, loaner equipment, or new equipment. 
3. Babies who miss screening due to equipment malfunction should be brought back for screening when the equipment is repaired, or they should be scheduled by the hospital for screening elsewhere. All screening should be completed before one month of age.

Questions About Newborn Hearing Screening? Contact Audiology Support at COEHDI!

Hannah Glick is an audiologist with COEHDI who can answer any newborn hearing screening related questions that you have. Please note that Hannah’s email address has been recently updated, but her phone number remains the same. 

Hannah Glick, AuD, PhD, CCC-A

EHDI Consultant

[email protected] *updated 6/2023*

303-518-2053

CONTACT

For technical questions about hearing screening, please contact:

Hannah Glick, AuD, PhD, CCC-A

EHDI Consultant

[email protected]

303-518-2053