Hearing First Blog

Listening & Spoken Language

LSL Strategies

Grow Listening and Talking Skills for Preschoolers with Hearing Loss: Ideas for Playtime

Hearing First

Playtime is perfect for teaching preschoolers to listen and talk. Find common playtime activities for preschoolers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Dec 18, 2024
An LSL Strategy to Get Started

Hearing First

When teaching your baby to listen, you can use this LSL strategy.
- Sep 26, 2024
Should Parents Use Baby Talk?

Hearing First

Have you ever seen a baby and changed the tone of your voice or the way you say a sentence? Believe it or not, that’s not baby talk - it’s parentese!
- Feb 8, 2024

LSL Journey

How to Get Family Members Involved in Your Child’s Journey

Hearing First

Whether or not you realize it now, family members and friends can be a part of your LSL journey with your child who is deaf or hard of hearing. Read how to include them and increase your community of support below.

Your extended family and close friends…
- Dec 14, 2018
The Unlimited Potential of the LSL Life

Hearing First

We at Hearing First believe that children who are deaf or hard of hearing have the potential to be whatever they want to be. We're delighted to share the stories and accomplishments of our community members thriving with Listening and Spoken Language…
- Oct 23, 2018
Ever Wondered How to Test a Baby’s Hearing? Find Out!

Hearing First

If you’ve ever asked the question ‘How in the world do you test a baby’s hearing?’, we have a must-watch video for you! Read about our recent Facebook Live “Ask Me Anything” with Dr. Jace Wolfe, prominent researcher in pediatric audiology and Director…
- May 25, 2018

Talk, Read, Sing, Play

Reading & Books

Cozy Up With a Book: Reading Recommendations for Kids

Hearing First

Winter books for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Families can help grow listening and talking skills with these books recommended by professionals.
- Jun 7, 2024
Speech Language Pathologists' Favorite Books to Build Math Skills

Hearing First

These specially curated children’s books were chosen by Speech Language Pathologists, to promote reading skills and math concepts for double the learning!
- May 9, 2024
10 Reasons to Create an Experience Book with Your Child

Hearing First

Experience books help your child with hearing loss practice important skills they need to be a great conversationalist.
- Apr 11, 2022

Playtime

Playful Tips to Make a Splash in Your Child’s Development

Hearing First

Water play is a great way to help children build language skills, combine words, and express their needs. Explore fun LSL water activities to support your little one’s communication development.
- May 15, 2025
Backyard Adventures and Outdoor Fun for Listening and Learning

Hearing First

Language-rich backyard activities using LSL strategies to support listening and spoken language development in children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- May 15, 2025
The Magic of Music and Playtime for Little Ones with Hearing Loss

Hearing First

Learn how you can make music and singing part of your family’s everyday moments to grow your child’s listening and talking skills.
- May 14, 2025

Routines & Activities

Playful Tips to Make a Splash in Your Child’s Development

Hearing First

Water play is a great way to help children build language skills, combine words, and express their needs. Explore fun LSL water activities to support your little one’s communication development.
- May 15, 2025
Backyard Adventures and Outdoor Fun for Listening and Learning

Hearing First

Language-rich backyard activities using LSL strategies to support listening and spoken language development in children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- May 15, 2025
The Magic of Music and Playtime for Little Ones with Hearing Loss

Hearing First

Learn how you can make music and singing part of your family’s everyday moments to grow your child’s listening and talking skills.
- May 14, 2025

What To Do

Playful Tips to Make a Splash in Your Child’s Development

Hearing First

Water play is a great way to help children build language skills, combine words, and express their needs. Explore fun LSL water activities to support your little one’s communication development.
- May 15, 2025
Backyard Adventures and Outdoor Fun for Listening and Learning

Hearing First

Language-rich backyard activities using LSL strategies to support listening and spoken language development in children who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- May 15, 2025
Your First Step Starts with First LSL Lessons

Hearing First

First LSL Lessons offers practical resources for parents of children with hearing loss to build listening and talking skills through everyday routines.
- May 5, 2025

Pediatric Audiology

Audiology

How Busy Pediatric Audiologists Can Stay on the Forefront of Research and Best Practices

Hearing First

How can pediatric audiologists stay ahead of the latest research and best practices. Hearing First offers free learning! Read more and sign up today.
- Nov 17, 2023
What “Eyes Open, Ears On” Really Looks Like

Hearing First

Advice for parents! Hear from a mom about a Listening and Spoken Language routine in the mornings and how many hours a baby should wear their hearing devices.
- Apr 10, 2023
Why You CAN’T Get OTC Hearing Aids For Kids

Hearing First

The FDA has approved OTC hearing aids for adults but children can’t use OTC hearing aids for several reasons. Read why your child needs a professional.
- Sep 14, 2022

Hearing Devices

How Many Hours A Day Should My Child Wear Hearing Devices?

Hearing First

Learn how many hours a child who is deaf or hard of hearing needs to wear their devices and why it’s so critically important!
- Aug 5, 2024
Preparing Your Child for a Cochlear Implant

Hearing First

What can parents do to help their child prepare for cochlear implants? Learn tips that will help maximize the time leading up to implantation.
- Dec 14, 2023
Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants: What's the Difference?

Hearing First

Your child with hearing loss needs hearing technology. But what do you choose? Discover the difference between hearing aids and cochlear implants.
- Sep 22, 2023

Hearing Testing

Can My Baby Hear Me?

Hearing First

As a parent, you know your baby best! But how can you tell if your baby can hear you? Read about when you should make an appointment for a hearing test.
- Sep 16, 2024
Tips to Prepare for Your Baby’s Hearing Evaluation

Hearing First

Learn about your baby’s hearing evaluation and what you can do to prepare for it. This infant hearing test will confirm if your baby has hearing loss.
- Jan 19, 2021
The Results Are In: What to Do After a Newborn Hearing Screening

Hearing First

Most parents don’t know about the newborn hearing screening or how important it is to their baby’s future. Learn what to do if your baby failed the screening.
- Nov 5, 2015

Hear What's Possible

Hear what's possible with Listening and Spoken Language.

Playful Tips to Make a Splash in Your Child’s Development

Let’s Play the LSL Way: Water Fun Did you know that playtime is how little ones learn? It’s true! During...

Article 4 min read

Backyard Adventures and Outdoor Fun for Listening and Learning

Let’s Play the LSL Way: Backyard Fun Playing outside offers little ones so much: fresh air and sunshine...

Article 4 min read

The Magic of Music and Playtime for Little Ones with Hearing Loss

Let’s Play the LSL Way: Musical Fun There’s a reason babies and young children LOVE music! Songs and...

Article 4 min read

Your First Step Starts with First LSL Lessons

Your journey begins with First LSL Lessons – designed to equip parents with the knowledge and confidence...

Article 4 min read

Grow Listening and Talking Skills for Preschoolers with Hearing Loss: Ideas for Playtime

Download a printable version of this resource here . Playtime opens up a world of opportunities for...

Article 5 min read

Talk, Read, Sing, & Play Every Day

The best way to grow your baby’s brain and get them ready for school, friends, and life is YOU! The meaningful...

Article 4 min read

Playtime Ideas for Toddlers with Hearing Loss

Download a printable version of this resource here . Playtime is how little ones learn, grow, and develop...

Article 5 min read

How Many Hours A Day Should My Child Wear Hearing Devices?

Your child’s hearing devices are brain access devices! They give your little one’s brain access to all...

Article 2 min read

A+ Back-to-School Guide for Children with Hearing Loss

Let's make this school year an A+ experience! Hearing First wants to help you and your little learner...

Article 4 min read

Spring Into Reading: Book Ideas for Kids

The blossoms all around mean more than spring’s arrival – they also mark the perfect time to explore...

Article 4 min read

All Articles

Playtime Ideas for Toddlers with Hearing Loss

Hearing First

Playtime is the perfect opportunity for teaching and growing a toddler’s brain for listening and talking. Use common playtime activities to help toddlers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Sep 6, 2024
How Many Hours A Day Should My Child Wear Hearing Devices?

Hearing First

Learn how many hours a child who is deaf or hard of hearing needs to wear their devices and why it’s so critically important!
- Aug 5, 2024
A+ Back-to-School Guide for Children with Hearing Loss

Hearing First

Learn everything you and your child with hearing loss need to succeed this back-to-school season. And find the best hearing loss back-to-school tips.
- Aug 2, 2024
Dive Into Summer Reading: Book Ideas for Kids

Hearing First

Explore books for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to grow their listening and language skills. The benefits of reading aloud to babies are countless.
- Jul 10, 2024
Spring Into Reading: Book Ideas for Kids

Hearing First

Explore these book ideas to read aloud with your child who is deaf or hard of hearing. Promote literacy in children with hearing loss by reading each day.
- Jun 24, 2024
Purposeful Playtime for Babies with Hearing Loss

Hearing First

Playtime is the perfect time for teaching and growing a baby’s brain for listening and talking. Use common playtime activities to help babies who are deaf or hard of hearing.
- Jun 10, 2024
Cozy Up With a Book: Reading Recommendations for Kids

Hearing First

Winter books for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Families can help grow listening and talking skills with these books recommended by professionals.
- Jun 7, 2024
How One Foundation Changed Listening and Spoken Language Opportunities for Families and Children

Hearing First

The Oberkotter Foundation enters a new chapter. Motivated by science and innovation the organization’s strategic plan paves the way for a transformative impact.
- Jun 6, 2024
Speech Language Pathologists' Favorite Books to Build Math Skills

Hearing First

These specially curated children’s books were chosen by Speech Language Pathologists, to promote reading skills and math concepts for double the learning!
- May 9, 2024
Gene Therapy and Childhood Hearing Loss: What Parents Need to Know

Hearing First

There has been a lot of conversation about genetic therapies to treat hearing loss in infants and young children. This is big news for hearing healthcare and the future of hearing loss! Explore what the latest news means for today's parents and the implications…
- Mar 8, 2024

Articles

The Latest from Hearing First

Playful Tips to Make a Splash in Your Child’s Development

Backyard Adventures and Outdoor Fun for Listening and Learning

The Magic of Music and Playtime for Little Ones with Hearing Loss

Your First Step Starts with First LSL Lessons

Your First Step Starts with First LSL Lessons

Listening & Spoken Language

Talk, Read, Sing, Play

Pediatric Audiology

Hear What's Possible

Playful Tips to Make a Splash in Your Child’s Development

Backyard Adventures and Outdoor Fun for Listening and Learning

The Magic of Music and Playtime for Little Ones with Hearing Loss

Your First Step Starts with First LSL Lessons

Grow Listening and Talking Skills for Preschoolers with Hearing Loss: Ideas for Playtime

Talk, Read, Sing, & Play Every Day

Playtime Ideas for Toddlers with Hearing Loss

How Many Hours A Day Should My Child Wear Hearing Devices?

A+ Back-to-School Guide for Children with Hearing Loss

Spring Into Reading: Book Ideas for Kids

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