Is Auditory-Verbal Therapy Effective for Children with Hearing Loss?

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...

A pilot study of telepractice delivery for teaching listening and spoken language to children with hearing loss

“…AVT is effective in promoting listening and spoken language when delivered with the parent, child and therapist in the same room. Children with hearing loss educated using AVT have developed skills in speech, 1-4 language, 1-6 self-esteem 4 , reading and mathematics 4 in line with hearing peers. However, conventional in person AVT services may not be accessible for children with hearing loss living in rural and remote areas.…”

Early Intervention in Context of Special Education - Communication between Parents of Hearing Impaired Children and Professionals with an Emphasis on Auditory-verbal Therapy

“…A longitudinal study (Dornan, Hickson, Murdoch, Houston, Constantinescu, 2010) 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.…”

Métodos unisensoriales para la rehabilitación de la persona con implante coclear y métodos musicoterapéuticos como nueva herramienta de intervención

“…Un estudio longitudinal, cuyo seguimiento tuvo una duración de más de 50 meses, comparó un grupo experimental de 29 niños pertenecientes a programas de TAV con pérdida auditiva severa (promedio tonos puros -PTA de 79,37 dB HL), con un grupo control de niños oyentes; los grupos fueron empalmados por edad de lenguaje, vocabulario receptivo, género y ubicación socioeconómica. Los resultados mostraron avances positivos en el habla y el lenguaje del grupo experimental y concluyeron que la TAV es efectiva para la población de niños con pérdida auditiva 21 . Otro estudio examinó la percepción del habla, el habla y el desarrollo del lenguaje en 25 niños, pertenecientes a un programa de TAV, con hipoacusia severa (promedio de tonos puros -PTA 79,37 dB HL); se realizaron evaluaciones separadas por un periodo de 21 meses.…”