05-21539. Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-639-4766 and send comments to Seleda Perryman, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-D74, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail to [e-mail].

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Written comments should be received within 60 days of the notice.

Proposed Project

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Hearing Screening and Follow-up Survey—New—National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention promotes the health of babies, children, and adults with disabilities. Activities related to addressing hearing loss (HL) among newborns and infants are part of NCBDDD's mission. HL is a common birth defect that affects approximately 12,000 infants each year, and can result in developmental delays when left undetected. As awareness about infant HL increases, so does the demand for accurate information about incidence, rate of screening, referral to care, and loss to follow-up. Given the lack of a standardized and readily accessible source of data, CDC's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program has developed a survey to be used annually for State and Territory EHDI Program Coordinators that utilizes uniform definitions to collect aggregate, standardized EHDI data from states and territories. This information is important for helping to ensure infants and children are receiving recommended screening and follow-up services, documenting the occurrence and etiology of differing degrees of HL among infants, and determining the overall impact of infant HL on future outcomes, such as cognitive development and family dynamics. These data will also assist state EHDI programs with quality improvement activities and provide information that will be helpful in assessing the impact of Federal initiatives. The public will be able to access this information via CDC's EHDI Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/​ncbddd/​ehdi/​). There are no costs to respondents other than their time.

Annualized Burden Table

Respondents	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Average burden per response (in hrs.)	Total burden hours
State and territory EHDI program coordinators	53	1	4	212
Total				212

Dated: October 21, 2005.

Betsey Dunaway,

Acting Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.