All of Ohio’s 88 counties are serviced by ten grant-funded projects called the Regional Infant Hearing Programs (RIHPs).  These programs assist families in connecting with audiologists and community resources to ensure early identification of hearing loss.  They work with county Help Me Grow programs (Ohio’s Part C program for birth to 3) to provide specialized early intervention services for infants and toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing.

All services provided by the RIHPs are family centered and are most often home based.  There is no charge to the family. The services are designed to meet the family’s concerns, needs and priorities and include:             

• Assessing communication functions.
• Providing weekly home visits to teach families activities to do with their infants and toddlers during daily routines and play to foster communication skills.
• Making appropriate referrals to outside sources such as speech-language pathologists, audiologists and physicians as needed.
• Working with county Help Me Grow programs to ensure that all families receive Part C (birth to age 3) services.
• Educating and supporting parents to become empowered advocates for their children.
• Providing information on available resources for children with hearing loss after the age of 3 years.

For more information about the RIHPs please contact the Ohio Department of Health, Infant Hearing Program at the contact information below or contact the RIHP in your region.

Mailing Address:

The Ohio Department of Health

Infant Hearing Program

246 North High Street

Columbus, Ohio 43216 

Telephone: (614) 644-8389 or 800-755-GROW (4769)