N.J. Admin. Code § 8:19-1.11

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 12, June 17, 2024

Section 8:19-1.11 - Documenting and reporting a diagnosed hearing loss

(a) When a permanent hearing loss is confirmed in a child who is a New Jersey resident, the individual making the diagnosis shall complete and submit the forms identified in (a)1 and 2 below, as applicable, within 10 business days of the diagnosis:

1. For children from birth to the third birthday, a Newborn Hearing Follow-up Report form to the EHDI program; and

2. For children from birth to the 21st birthday, a Special Child Health Services Registration form to the Special Child Health Services Registry;

i. The person submitting a Special Child Health Services Registration form pursuant to (a)2 above shall specify, in the "diagnosis" section of the form, the type and degree of hearing loss, the affected ear(s), and, if applicable and known, the syndrome related to the child's hearing loss.

(b) When a permanent hearing loss is confirmed, the audiologist shall inform the responsible physician by written documentation and parents via face-to-face communication and written documentation of the type and degree of hearing loss.

(c) Infants born with external auditory canal atresia shall be registered as such, prior to discharge from the birthing facility. By definition, these children present with hearing loss and should be afforded the opportunity to engage in Early Intervention Services. Bone conduction ABR studies should be performed prior to three months of age to determine the cochlear status of the affected ear(s).

(d) When a diagnosis of permanent hearing loss is made, the responsible physician shall advise the parents of the importance of medical and audiologic evaluations consistent with the recommendations of the JCIH Position Statement, and shall make appropriate referrals, as necessary, for appropriate follow-up consultations to be completed by three months post-diagnosis.

1. In addition, the responsible physician shall advise the parents of the importance of ongoing audiologic reevaluation to monitor hearing status and the performance of prescribed devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.

2. To the extent a hearing aid is indicated, responsible physicians should refer to 45:9A-25, pertaining to the requirement of otolaryngologic referral as a condition of the dispensing of hearing aids to minors.

3. Responsible physicians shall also register children diagnosed with hearing loss (through 21 years of age) with the Special Child Health Services Registry.

(e) Updated Special Child Health Services Registration forms shall be submitted to the Department if new information is available during follow-up audiologic visits regarding hearing status; diagnosis of a syndromic condition; documented physical disabilities, and/or change in name, address or parent.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:19-1.11

Amended by R.2011 d.188, effective 7/5/2011.
See: 43 N.J.R. 105(a), 43 N.J.R. 1524(a).
Rewrote (a).