Today, the possibilities for children with hearing loss are beyond anything we previously imagined.
They can achieve milestones at the same level as children with typical hearing, thanks to newborn hearing screenings becoming the standard, amazing advances in hearing technology, and proven practices with Listening and Spoken Language (LSL). You'll be amazed by the unbelievable LSL outcomes for children with hearing loss whose parents take early action.
A Brand-New Era
Studies show that children who are born with severe to profound hearing loss can develop the same communication skills as children with typical hearing if they receive:
- Early diagnosis of hearing loss
- Appropriate hearing devices within the first several months of life — this includes having a hearing aid fitting within three months and possibly cochlear implants within six to nine months
- Early intervention sessions where the parent is coached on LSL techniques
- Meaningful interactions with lots of exposure to listening, talking, and the language of the home
- Encouragement from actively engaged family members
In the past few years, researchers worldwide have been studying children who are deaf or hard of hearing. They studied information like how old children were when they were identified with hearing loss and when they got their first hearing devices. Researchers then compared this information with the children's language skills. As a result, we know more about what parents and professionals can do to reach their child's LSL goals.
The number one finding? Act quickly. When hearing loss is a concern, every moment counts.