NJhEARS is an outreach initiative that provides hearing screenings to preschools, Early Head Start programs, and schools serving children with special needs across Bergen, Essex, Passaic, and Hudson counties. The program prioritizes these communities to identify children who may require additional time, specialized expertise, and advanced equipment to address potential hearing challenges effectively. To ensure the highest standard of care, all screenings are conducted under the supervision of experienced, licensed, and certified pediatric audiologists, who collaborate closely with school nurses and educators.
Undetected hearing loss in children can result in significant academic, social, and developmental challenges. Ensuring proper follow-up after newborn hearing screenings is a critical public health priority. Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs play a vital role by identifying hearing loss early and connecting families with timely support and resources. By identifying hearing loss that may have been missed by the EHDI newborn screening protocol, the program provides another safety net to ensure these children can be identified and receive the care they need.
Highlights
• Founded in April 2024 by the Audiology (AuD) program in the Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders
• The NJhEARS program has successfully conducted over 1,600 hearing screenings since foundation
• Serves as an invaluable community resource while also providing hands-on experience for doctoral students in Audiology