From Silence to Speech: How Auditory-Verbal Therapy Helps Children with Hearing Loss
For most parents, a baby’s first “Mama” or “Dada” is a cherished milestone. But for children with hearing loss, achieving this seemingly simple feat can require dedicated support and specialized therapy. Auditory-verbal habilitation (AVH) is helping these children develop the listening and spoken language skills they need to thrive.
Understanding Auditory-Verbal Habilitation
Auditory-verbal habilitation, offered at centers like KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Singapore, focuses on teaching children with hearing loss to listen, and speak. This approach is used after a child is fitted with hearing aids or cochlear implants. The therapy is deeply family-centered, coaching parents to support their child’s development at home and during therapy sessions.
The Impact of Early Intervention
Tiffany Lim, an auditory-verbal habilitationist at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, recalls one of her first cases – a four-year-aged who had spent much of his life in silence. When the child called out to his mother and grandparents for the first time, it was a profoundly moving experience. “Up until then, he was in his own bubble,” she said.
Prevalence and Services in Singapore
Approximately one in 1,000 newborns in Singapore has significant hearing loss, according to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The hospital’s Audiology Service provides care to 2,500 to 3,000 patients with hearing loss annually, ranging in age from six months to 18 years. Some children are born with hearing loss, although others experience it later due to infections or medical conditions.
A Holistic Approach to Development
Lim, who holds a degree in psychology with a focus on child development, emphasizes the interactive and hands-on nature of AVH. The therapy aims to monitor a child’s hearing device use and their progress in spoken language development.
Comprehensive Hearing Care Services
Beyond AVH, comprehensive hearing care services are available, including diagnostic audiological evaluations for both adults and children, computerized hearing aid analysis, and a wide range of hearing aids and accessories. Services also include tinnitus and hyperacusis treatment, cochlear implants, and custom ear molds for various purposes. Providers like Diversified Hearing Services offer these services, along with hearing tests and repairs.