Learning to listen and talk is achievable for many deaf children, through a combination of early diagnosis, hearing technology and early and effective interventions. Being able to learn to listen and talk will depend in part on:
Their age when their hearing loss begins and age at which their hearing loss is identified
Whether their hearing technology is giving them access to all the sounds of speech
Whether they are receiving support from an effective early intervention practitioner who specialises in listening and spoken language
How much they use their hearing devices
The learning environment they are in (at home and in educational settings)
The presence of any additional needs that may impact the development of listening and spoken language.
Where, through informed choice, parents and caregivers opt for listening and spoken language for their child, Auditory Verbal therapy offers a robust approach which has a strong evidence base and consistently delivers excellent outcomes.