#USA #Philadelphia #Hearing First #Starts Hear #newborn hearing

The Progress of the Starts Hear Campaign

The Starts Hear campaign, initiated by Hearing First, has reached a significant milestone as it embarks on its fifth year of promoting awareness regarding newborn hearing screening (NHS). As a crucial public health initiative, this campaign aims to educate expectant parents about the importance of NHS and the steps to take if their newborn doesn't pass the screening.

Background of the Campaign

Hearing First, a part of the Oberkotter Foundation, focuses on supporting families and professionals so that children with hearing loss can access the same opportunities to learn, talk, read, and thrive as their peers. One key aspect of this mission has been addressing the concerning statistic released by the CDC, which revealed that over 34% of infants who don't pass their screening fail to receive essential follow-up care. This is where the Starts Hear campaign steps in, providing clear guidance to parents on their next actions following a failed hearing test.

Year Four Milestones

In its fourth year, the campaign saw tremendous success, achieving remarkable milestones that demonstrate its growing reach and impact. The campaign implemented various outreach strategies, notably including:

• - Spanish Campaign on BabyCenter: This new approach helped ensure vital information reached a broader audience, particularly expectant and new mothers who primarily speak Spanish.
• - Point of Care Signage: To facilitate immediate access to information, QR codes were placed in obstetric and pediatric offices, allowing parents to access crucial NHS information directly when they need it most.
• - Ask an Expert Program: Collaborating with professionals, parents were given the opportunity to ask questions regarding newborn hearing, receiving real-time answers from qualified specialists.

Campaign Effectiveness

As a result of these innovative methods, the fourth year of the Starts Hear campaign generated impressive metrics, including:

• - Over 904 million total ad views
• - More than 300 million video views
• - 1.7 million visitors to the campaign's website startshear.org

This year marked a record for impressions and completed video views, showcasing the campaign's growing influence in public health education.

Looking Ahead

The guidelines set by the Joint Commission on Infant Hearing emphasize the urgency of timely actions: infants should undergo their hearing screening by one month, receive a diagnosis by three months, and enroll in early interventions by six months to optimize Listening and Spoken Language outcomes. The Starts Hear campaign strives to embed this timeline in the minds of expectant parents, ensuring they are proactive from the onset of their child's hearing journey.

Summary of Impact

Dr. Teresa Caraway, CEO of Oberkotter Foundation, highlights the importance of direct communication with families about newborn hearing, underscoring the urgency to act quickly after a failed screening. By educating and empowering expectant parents, the Starts Hear campaign fosters confidence in managing their children's health needs.

In conclusion, the continued efforts of the Starts Hear campaign are crucial not only for raising awareness but also for transforming the experiences of families navigating newborn hearing challenges. To delve deeper into the successes and plans for the future, visit hearingfirst.org/starts-hear-awareness-campaign for the full Year Four Report and more resources.