Listening and Spoken Language

Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) approaches help children develop their “auditory brain”-- the part of their brain used for listening and speech (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).  The focus is on improving speech recognition with hearing technology and speech (articulation).  Auditory Verbal Therapy and hearing amplification are two key components of LSL. Sign language or visual communication is not included in the LSL approach.

Parents and caregivers have an active role in the therapy process. They are the primary facilitators of their child’s spoken language. AVT is not a quick and easy fix. It takes consistent work and dedication to develop your child’s listening and spoken language skills for the approach to be successful. (Houston, 2012)

Recent research has shown that children who participate in Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) from infancy develop similar spoken language skills as their typically hearing peers by the time they reach elementary school (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). 

10 Guiding Principles of Listening and Spoken Language 

1. Healthcare professionals promote early diagnosis of hearing loss in newborns, infants, and young children, followed by timely audiological management and Auditory Verbal Therapy. The earlier a child is identified, the better.
2. Immediate audiological assessment and access to appropriate hearing technology is recommended to maximize auditory input and sensory stimulation.
3. Children are encouraged to use hearing/listening to access communication, free from the support of sign language or the development of lip reading.
4. Parents become the primary facilitators of their child's communication development through auditory-verbal therapy as well as enhanced communication interactions.
5. Parents are taught how to create environments that support listening for the acquisition of spoken language. Activities like brushing your teeth or going on walks become therapeutic listening experiences.
6. Parents are coached to include listening and spoken language practice into all aspects of the child’s day. Playtime, singing, and playing games all become prime auditory-verbal practice opportunities.
7. Parents are guided to use natural language developmental patterns for listening, speech, and communication.
8. Parents are empowered to help their children self-monitor their spoken language through listening.
9. Auditory-verbal therapists and educators administer ongoing assessments (formal and informal) to develop treatment plans and monitor the child’s progress.
10. Listening and Spoken Language approaches promote mainstream education access with typical hearing peers. 

(Rosenzweig, 2009; Houston, 2012)