About NCHAM
The National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM - pronounced "en-cham") is one of many research centers located at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. The mission of NCHAM is to ensure that all infants and young children with hearing loss are identified as early as possible and have access to timely and appropriate audiological, educational, medical intervention, and family support services. NCHAM receives funding from multiple sources to conduct research, training, and technical assistance activities to support and improve newborn and early childhood hearing screening, diagnosis, and early intervention.
Our Goals
NCHAM works with state and national collaborators to create, improve, and operate sustainable EHDI systems of care in which:
All infants:
- are screened for hearing loss before 1 month of age, and
- those who do not pass, receive diagnostic evaluations before 3 months of age, and
- those with hearing loss are enrolled in early intervention before 6 months of age.
All families of infants identified with permanent hearing loss:
- receive culturally-competent support and information, and
- are linked to a family-centered medical home.
All young children:
- are screened periodically for hearing loss and receive appropriate follow up.
All State EHDI systems:
- are linked to other relevant public health information systems;
- use ongoing quality improvement methods to continually enhance services, and
- disseminate appropriate and timely information to families, health care providers, and other relevant stakeholders.
What We Do
NCHAM staff provides technical assistance aimed at improving and sustaining state EHDI systems of care, including:
- Training
- Individual consultation
- Developing new resources
- Information sharing
