Does your child have a hearing problem? Learn about Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) to help them speak.

Are you worried or sad that your little one has a hearing problem? Maybe the doctor has confirmed it. "Will my child talk? Will he go to school like other children?" You probably have many questions like these in your mind. It's very normal. But don't worry. With today's technology, there is a wonderful treatment method that can teach even a child with hearing loss to speak like other children and to hear the sounds of the world. Today we are talking about a method called Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT).

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

This is an early intervention method for young children with hearing loss, that is, deaf or hard of hearing. This is especially important for children who use technology such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Imagine, even though these devices allow a child to hear sounds, the brain needs to be trained to understand what the sound is, whether it's the word "mom" or the sound of a dog barking. That's what AVT does. Simply put, the primary goal is to develop language and speech through hearing .

The special thing about this treatment method is that it actively involves parents and family members. In addition to sessions with the therapist, parents are guided to continue this training through play, conversation, and daily activities with the child at home.

Is this treatment really effective?

Yes, absolutely. Studies have found that by the time children with hearing loss who undergo AVT therapy enter first grade, they demonstrate speech and language skills that are comparable to, and sometimes even better than, those of typical children. They cope well with mainstream education, excel in subjects like math and reading, make friends, and have good self-confidence.

Hearing loss is a common congenital condition. However, it is wrong to say that a child cannot learn to hear just because they have a hearing impairment. Today's technology, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, and treatments such as AVT can achieve amazing results.

Who can have this treatment?

For this treatment to be successful, it is very important to start as early as possible . It is best to start as early as two or three months.

• If your child is hearing impaired.
• If the child uses hearing aids or cochlear implants.
• There is no problem whether hearing loss is present from birth or develops later for some reason.
• This treatment is suitable for any hearing loss, from mild to very severe, whether there is a problem in one or both ears, and whether the condition is temporary or permanent.

Therefore, it is important to have the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) test done at the time of birth. If there is a problem, the doctor can provide the necessary equipment and refer you for such treatment as soon as possible.

What are Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants?

Simply put, hearing aids make sounds louder. But even though you hear the sound louder, you don't understand what it is. AVT helps you gain that understanding.

Cochlear implants are recommended for children who do not benefit from hearing aids. If there is a problem with the cochlea, a part of our inner ear that is damaged and has problems sending sound waves to the brain, this device is surgically implanted. It bypasses the damaged part and allows sound to be sensed directly in the brain.

What is the difference between AVT and other treatments?

Methods like lip-reading or sign language rely on visual cues , that is, what you see with your eyes. What happens is that the part of the brain that deals with hearing, the auditory cortex, is not stimulated and is inactive.

But in AVT therapy, the opposite happens. What happens here is the development of the child's "auditory brain." That is, they are trained to speak and understand by hearing. Another special difference is that parents and family are made key participants in this process.

As parents, what should you do at home?

The therapist will become your main coach who will guide you. Be mindful of these things when you are at home with your child.

Why is this method so successful?

There's a scientific reason for this. The first 3.5 years of a child's life are a golden period for brain development. During this time, the brain is very flexible. That means it has an amazing ability to learn new things and form new connections. We call this neural plasticity .

If a child with hearing loss does not receive sound stimulation during this period, the brain becomes accustomed to only visual stimuli. That is, it becomes a "visual brain." But what AVT does is make the most of this golden time and transforms the brain into a "hearing and seeing brain."

How do you prepare for a therapy session?

• Check that your child's hearing aids are working properly before going to the session.
• Bring a notebook or file to jot down notes and activities your therapist gives you.
• It is also very valuable to keep an album to record your child's progress and collect photos.

This treatment usually lasts three years or more, but it can vary from child to child. The important thing is to continue this training through daily activities with your child at home, as well as attending therapy sessions.

There are only a few trained specialists (listening and spoken language specialists - LSLS) in the world. Therefore, it may be a little difficult to find one in Sri Lanka. However, it is very important to discuss this with the ENT Surgeon or Speech and Language Therapist who is treating your child and seek their guidance.

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