Is your baby hearing impaired? Is he late to speak? Then you should definitely learn about this treatment method (Auditory-Verbal Therapy)!

How much hope have you had since the day your little one was born? But one day the doctor tells you that the baby has a slight hearing impairment. How heavy do you feel as a mother or father when you receive such news? "Oh, will my child not be able to talk?", "Will he not be able to go to school and join the other children?", "What will my child's future be like?" It is normal for a thousand questions like these to come to mind. But don't worry. Technology is very advanced today. Also, there is a special treatment method that can make the most of that technology and teach your child how to listen, speak, and live well in society like everyone else. That is what we are going to talk about today. It is called Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) .

Simply put, what is Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT)?

Think of it this way: our brain is like a magical machine. It can adapt to anything. Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) is a special training method that teaches the brains of young children with hearing impairments, that is, those with low hearing, to "listen." This is an early intervention treatment.

This treatment is usually done for young children who use technology such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. No matter how severe your child's hearing loss is (severe to profound), this treatment can help your child's brain understand the sound signals they receive and use them to learn spoken language.

The most important thing is that you, the parents and family, have the biggest role in this treatment. The therapist will teach you the techniques, which you will need to do at home, while playing with your child, and while you are doing your daily chores. Simply put, you are your child's first and best teacher.

How effective is this treatment method?

You may be wondering, "Does this really work?" Yes, the results are amazing. Hearing loss is one of the most common congenital conditions. But it's wrong to say that just because a child has a hearing impairment, they can't learn to hear. In fact, with hearing aids or a cochlear implant, children can recognize sounds in an amazing way.

Research has found that the majority of children with hearing loss who undergo AVT therapy demonstrate speech skills that are comparable to, and sometimes even better than, other children their age who can hear well by the time they enter first grade. It has also been proven that these children perform better in school than children with hearing loss who do not receive AVT therapy.

Therefore, what the child gains from this is not insignificant.

• In a regular school, you can study together with other children.
• They excel in subjects like math and reading.
• Making good friends.
• Build self-esteem.
• Learning to live independently without anyone's help.

What is the best time to start this treatment and who is suitable for it?

This is the most important thing. For AVT treatment to be successful, it needs to be started as early as possible. Sometimes if you can start as early as two or three months, the results are much better.

Your newborn baby should have a hearing test called the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) at the hospital. If it detects any problems, you can take the necessary steps quickly. If necessary, your baby can be fitted with hearing aids. If hearing aids alone are not enough, your doctor may consider a cochlear implant. This can be done as early as 9 months of age.

If we look at who is suitable for this treatment,

• Children with congenital hearing impairment.
• Children who have hearing impairment due to another reason (illness, accident).
• For children with problems in one or both ears.
• Whether the weakness is temporary or permanent.
• Hearing loss can affect any child, from mild to severe.

The most important thing is that you attend these therapy sessions with your child. The therapist will guide you. It is very helpful to learn together with your child. Then your "job" is to continue practicing those things while playing with your child at home.

What are Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants?

Let's understand these two simply. These are just devices that make you "hear" sound. AVT therapy teaches the brain to "understand" that sound.

• Hearing Aids: These are like small amplifiers. They amplify external sounds, such as speech and music, and make them louder. Some people hear certain frequencies well, while others do not. These devices can be adjusted differently. However, hearing the sound loudly can make it difficult to understand what it is. That is what AVT is for.

• Cochlear Implants: Doctors recommend this for children with severe hearing loss who do not respond well to hearing aids. There is a snail-shaped part of our inner ear called the cochlea. Sound waves are converted into electrical signals and sent to the brain from here. If this part is damaged, this implant is surgically inserted. The device then bypasses the damaged part and directly stimulates the auditory nerve and sends signals to the brain. This opens a door to the world of sound for the child.

To participate in AVT therapy, it is usually essential for the child to use one of these two devices.

What is the difference between AVT treatment and other methods?

There are other ways for people with hearing impairments to communicate, such as lip-reading and sign language. But both of those methods rely on visual cues, meaning what you see. Then the part of the brain that deals with hearing, the auditory cortex , is not stimulated. That part just "falls asleep."

But something completely different happens in AVT treatment.

In AVT therapy, parents are treated as coaches. They teach you how this learning should happen at home, when playing with your child, when eating, when bathing, and in all daily activities.

How can you help your child at home?

Even though the therapist will teach you a lot, there are some simple things you can do at home with your child. Make these a habit.

Why is this treatment so successful? The secret of the brain

There's a scientific reason for this. During the first three and a half years of a child's life, their brain is extremely malleable. It's called Optimal Neural Plasticity . Like a wet ball of clay, during this time the brain has the amazing ability to mold itself into any shape, learn new things, and form new connections.

We need to use this "golden time" to teach the child's brain to listen. Otherwise, the brain of a child with hearing impairments, instead of being an "auditory and visual brain", may become only a "visual brain". That is, the brain is only designed to see and understand everything with the eyes. But through AVT, we train the child's brain to "hear" and "see" both.

How should you prepare for this trip?

This won't happen overnight. This is a journey. Both you and your child need to be prepared for that journey.

• Check the equipment: Before going to the treatment session, check that your child's hearing aid or cochlear implant is working properly. Pay attention to it throughout the day.
• Keep a notebook: Keep a notebook to write down things like what your therapist tells you, activities to do at home, your child's progress, and your goals.
• A photo album: Take pictures of your child's progress and make an album with a short note about it. This will be a great encouragement for you.

This treatment program usually lasts three years or more, so your commitment and patience are essential. Remember, just as important as going to therapy sessions is working with your child at home.

What are the benefits and risks?

The biggest advantage of this treatment method is that the child gets the opportunity to live in a "normal" society, without any differences with others. They can get the same education as other children their age and pursue any field of interest. Their hearing loss will not be a determining factor in their lives.

Speaking of "disadvantages," this isn't something that works like magic. To get the most out of this, both you and your child need to work on it consistently and with dedication. It can be seen as a challenge that strengthens the bond between you and your child, rather than a disadvantage.

There are no medical risks involved in this treatment.

If you have even the slightest suspicion that your baby has a hearing problem, see your pediatrician or ENT Surgeon immediately. They will refer you to the necessary tests and appropriate therapists. The sooner you start, the better the results.

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