Hearing professionals can use the EARS® (Evaluation of Auditory Responses to Speech) test battery to assess the auditory skills of children with hearing loss. Delivering a robust framework for tracking progress and informing developmentally appropriate goals, EARS is now available for download as a digital resource in several languages.
Children who receive cochlear implants late are unique. This article briefly describes hearing loss diagnosis and treatment guidelines for babies and young children, what is known about why some children are diagnosed or treated later as well as the impacts of unaddressed hearing loss. After that, we provide some rehabilitation recommendations for supporting this unique population of patients with cochlear implants.
What can be done when a three-year-old child’s listening and speaking skills stop showing signs of improvement? What strategies can rehabilitation specialists use when a young cochlear implant recipient has inconsistent auditory skills and a short attention span? This case study provides insights that may be relevant for speech-language therapists with similar patients.
For some people with bilateral hearing loss, a hearing aid may provide enough amplification for one ear, but a cochlear implant may be appropriate for more severe hearing loss in the other ear. Aural rehabilitation can help these users get the most out of both hearing devices.
Play sounds can not only be used capture young children’s listening attention. They can also be a highly effective way to help children learn to process auditory information. By integrating them into your auditory rehabilitation practice, you can help kick-start their listening and language development while having fun.
Many of us take music and the benefits it has in our lives for granted. Music can positively impact many aspects of life, including physical health, emotional well-being, social relationships, and the rehabilitation journey of hearing implant recipients. It can lift mood and alleviate negative emotions such as stress and anxiety. It is therefore important for hearing implant recipients to be able to hear and appreciate music.
