Marion Downs pioneered universal newborn hearing screening in the early 1960’s. She worked hard to alert the medical world to the benefits of newborn hearing screening and the early detection of congenital hearing loss. Early detection of congenital hearing loss enables parents to help their baby begin developing spoken or visual language skills during the critical language learning years. Around 150 infants in Minnesota are identified with congenital hearing loss each year. Through early detection, intervention, and support, these children can typically avoid delays in communication development and are experiencing improved health and educational outcomes (compared to those with late detection of congenital hearing loss). #NewbornHearingScreening #WCW