Audiology Services

MSD houses full pediatric test suites on both campuses. Our audiologists monitor the hearing levels of our students and manage the technology our students may use to ensure that their equipment is functioning optimally. Services include the fitting and repair of ear molds, hearing aids, bone-anchored devices, and cochlear implants. They may also facilitate the fitting of new hearing technology and collaborate with other audiologists all over the state in an effort to optimize the use of listening devices.

 

Audiology staff members also provide both parent consultation and staff training and consultation. MSD's Audiologists are proficient in American Sign Language/English and have experience and training in pediatric audiology, bilingual bimodal language and listening development in deaf and hard of hearing students. Our audiologists are certified and licensed to practice in the State of Maryland. 

 

MSD also serves as a referral center for follow-up to newborn hearing screenings. We offer diagnostic assessments, as needed, for babies birth to six months of age.

 

With the assistance of grant funds and in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, MSD established Diagnostic Audiology Centers on both campuses in January 2015. The centers were established to provide free and accessible services to Maryland families that were in need of audiology follow-up appointments as part of the newborn hearing screening process. MSD diagnostic services are available to Maryland families who have infants between birth to six months of age.

 

Maryland is committed to ensuring that all infants have early access to hearing screenings in order to determine hearing status. The goal is to have an initial hearing screening completed by one month of age, determination of hearing status by three months of age, and services in place by six months of age. This is referred to as the 1-3-6 model. Research has shown that children who receive early intervention services by six months of age will perform significantly better in language development than an infant who starts receiving services after six months of age.

 

MSD offers two types of assessments for conducting your baby's hearing screening. These tests are called ABR and OAE. Both of these tests are safe and comfortable for your baby. ABR and OAE assessments work best when your baby is sleeping. MSD does not perform these assessments with your child under sedation. Therefore, it is recommended that testing be completed at the youngest age possible. Complete results may not be obtained in a single appointment. In those cases, additional appointments can be scheduled and/or a referral will be made to another clinic in the community.

 

At MSD, qualified and experienced professionals support families and children from birth to age 21 every day. Audiologists at MSD are able to communicate using spoken English and American Sign Language.

 

If your child was referred for further testing following their newborn hearing screening, MSD is an option of where to receive your audiological follow-up care. ABR and OAE services are free to babies (age birth to six months) that reside in the State of Maryland. Contact the Maryland School for the Deaf Diagnostic Audiology Center for an appointment with one of our audiologists. Please choose the campus location that best fits your needs.

 

Directions and campus maps can be found here. Both campuses are conveniently located off major highways and parking is free.

 

If MSD services are not available to your family, an online database of pediatric test facilities is available through the national Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) website. Further information in regards to hearing evaluations and early intervention is also available: www.ehdi-pals.org.