Effects of Auditory-Verbal Therapy for School-Aged Children with Hearing Loss: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

A longitudinal study reported positive speech and language outcomes for 29 children with hearing loss in an auditory-verbal therapy program (AVT group) (aged 2 to 6 years at start; mean PTA 79.39 dB HL) compared with a matched control group with typical hearing (TH group) at 9, 21, and 38 months after the start of the study. The current study investigates outcomes over 50 months for 19 of the original pairs of children matched for language age, receptive vocabulary, gender, and socioeconomic status. An assessment battery was used to measure speech and language over 50 months, and reading, mathematics, and self-esteem over the final 12 months of the study. Results showed no significant differences between the groups for speech, language, and self-esteem (p > 0.05). Reading and mathematics scores were comparable between the groups, although too few for statistical analysis. Auditory-verbal therapy has proved to be effective for this population of children with hearing loss.Is Auditory-Verbal Therapy Effective 365 for total language, receptive vocabulary, gender, and socioeconomic level (as measured by the education level of the head of the household). Participants Auditory-Verbal Therapy Group (AVT Group)Selection criteria for the participants were: Pure-Tone Average (PTA) at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 4000 Hz of ≥ 40dB hearing threshold levels in the better ear; prelingually deafened (at ≤ 18 months old); attended the educational program weekly for intensive one-on-one, parent-based AVT for a minimum of 6 months; wore hearing devices consistently (hearing aids and/or cochlear implants) and aided hearing was within the speech range or had received a cochlear implant; no other significant cognitive or physical disabilities reported by parents or educators; 2 to 6 years of age at the first test session; and both parents spoke only English to the child .The children attended one of the five regional centers of an AVT program in Queensland, Australia, which offers a range of services including audiology, early intervention, and a cochlear implant program. This program adheres to the Principles of Auditory-Verbal Therapy (adapted from Pollack, 1970; endorsed by the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language, 2007). Even though a particular AVT program may adhere to all of these principals, programs may vary in the operational details. A description of the AVT program in this study can be found at http://www.hearandsaycenter.com.au/ mission-delivery.html.Of the 10 children who left the study between the 38-month and 50-month posttests, 2 had left the program because of diagnosis of additional disabilities, 6 had moved away or were unavailable for testing, and the departure of 2 TH group children from the study necessitated omitting their matched AVT group pair. The remaining AVT group participants had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss ranging from moderate to profound (mean PTA 79.39 dB HL; range = 45 dB to >110 dB). All children were fitted with hearing aids, commencing intervention within 3 months of diagn...

Training to Improve Language Outcomes in Cochlear Implant Recipients

“…Hearing impaired children, whether using hearing aids or CI, show rates of improvement on standardized measures of language that outpace what would be expected through normal development (Rhoades and Chisolm, 2001; Hogan et al, 2008, p. 2), though the multi-year duration of AVT, and the lack of a control group make it difficult to be certain if it is the therapy, and not development, that is driving the change (Eriks-Brophy, 2004; Rhoades, 2006). Recently, a more controlled study on AVT found significant improvements on receptive language, phonological awareness, articulation, and speech-in-noise perception (Fairgray et al, 2010). Again, the small sample size limits generalizability, but the significant improvement relative to baseline in a controlled setting suggests that AVT, or auditory training, could be effective for improving speech-and-language outcomes for CI recipients.…”

How Effective Is Auditory–Verbal Therapy (AVT) for Building Language Development of Children with Cochlear Implants? A Systematic Review

“…The aim of habilitation programs is for children with HL to function similarly as their hearing peers. Recent advancements in cochlear implant technology have conveyed research interest in auditory-driven approaches for HL children, such as auditory–verbal therapy (AVT) [ 5 ].…”

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“…Therefore, it shows that not just in the initial years, AVT is required but also during the later stages, that is, during school age. Therefore, it shows that continuous AVT/Rehabilitation is required for better performance [35].…”