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Enhancing Outcomes for Hearing Impaired Children: Insights from Research

Enhancing Outcomes for Hearing Impaired Children: Insights from Research

As a Special Education Director, I am constantly seeking ways to improve the educational outcomes for all students, especially those with hearing impairments. The early stages of habilitative processes for hearing-impaired children and their families are critical. Drawing from the insights of Lynne C. Brewster, Lucia Harold, and Peter J. Owsley, this blog aims to provide practitioners with actionable strategies to enhance their work with hearing-impaired students and encourage further research in this vital area.

Early Intervention and Parental Involvement

The journey begins with early intervention and the crucial role of parental involvement. Brewster emphasizes the importance of starting intervention as soon as possible, ideally before a hearing aid is fitted. Early involvement helps parents become active participants in the habilitative process, understanding the degree and nature of hearing loss and the implications for speech and language development. Strategies such as introducing hearing aid usage in short, enjoyable periods can significantly aid in the child's adjustment and acceptance.

Developing Auditory Awareness

Once the child begins using a hearing aid, the focus shifts to developing auditory awareness. This includes recognizing environmental sounds and voice, with parents playing a key role in exposing the child to sounds and helping them find meaning. Such early achievements can bolster parents' confidence and commitment to the habilitative process.

Natural Language Approach

Brewster advocates for a natural language approach, encouraging parents to augment the interactive processes they've developed with their child rather than starting from scratch. This approach emphasizes the importance of language input and offers the child opportunities to engage in the process, facilitating smoother development through enjoyable interaction.

Role of Speech-Language Pathologists

Harold and Owsley highlight the indispensable role of speech-language pathologists in providing individualized speech and language programs. These programs, tailored to each child's abilities, aim for the development of effective receptive and expressive language skills. Daily individual therapy sessions, reinforcement of language skills by classroom teachers, and close cooperation with parents for home carry-over are essential components of a successful program.

Furthermore, Owsley discusses the historical context and current challenges in providing speech services in schools for the deaf. The ideal scenario involves a collaborative effort between classroom teachers of the deaf and speech consultants to ensure comprehensive development and correction of speech in hearing-impaired children.

Practical Recommendations for Practitioners

By adopting these strategies, practitioners can significantly enhance the educational and developmental outcomes for hearing-impaired children. The collaborative effort between families, educators, and therapists is crucial to the success of these interventions.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The Early Stages of the Habilitative Process for Hearing Impaired Children and Their Families.


Citation: Brewster, L. C., Harold, L., & Owsley, P. J. (1984). The early stages of the habilitative process for hearing impaired children and their families. Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 8(7), 365-448.
Marnee Brick, President, TinyEYE Therapy Services

Author's Note: Marnee Brick, TinyEYE President, and her team collaborate to create our blogs. They share their insights and expertise in the field of Speech-Language Pathology, Online Therapy Services and Academic Research.

Connect with Marnee on LinkedIn to stay updated on the latest in Speech-Language Pathology and Online Therapy Services.

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