Auditory Verbal Therapy Can Help Your Child Engage With a World of Sounds
If your child has been fitted with hearing aids or received a cochlear implant, you may be wondering how to help them adapt to the new world of sounds that they’re hearing. Auditory Verbal Therapy, or AVT, might offer a solution to this. At Fuel Medical Group LLC, we can provide this treatment plan and help your family adjust to these new changes.
What Is Auditory Verbal Therapy?
AVT is a process in which young children with hearing loss develop their listening and spoken language skills with support from their families and a trained specialist. It’s typically used in conjunction with a hearing aid or cochlear implant.
How Does AVT Work?
Your family will work with an audiologist who will teach your child how to engage with hearing as an active sense. AVT consists of one-on-one sessions to focus on your child’s needs, and each patient’s plan is different.
AVT focuses on the whole family, and parents are taught to avoid using visual clues or altering their language for their children, so they can become accustomed to comprehending typical speech.
Along with individual sessions, AVT might also include playgroups and additional opportunities to socialize with other children. This will allow your child to adapt to the hearing world early on and form important connections with their peers.
How Effective Is AVT?
A study conducted between 2011-2021 found that children who participated in AVT can gain linguistic abilities at the same level as their peers who are not hard of hearing. AVT is most effective when hearing loss is diagnosed and treated early in life.
What Skills Do Children Gain From AVT?
- Vocalizing when spoken to
- Recognizing their name
- Turning to see where a sound is coming from
- Responding to sound
- Self-monitoring the volume and tone of their voice
When Should Children Begin AVT?
As soon as your child has been fitted with hearing aids or a cochlear implant, they should start AVT.
How Can Our Family Get Started With AVT?
Starting AVT might sound like a daunting prospect, but our team is here to support you through this process. At Fuel Medical Group LLC, we can determine if AVT is the best fit for your child and provide a therapy plan that is customized to their needs. We’ll support your family as you adjust to this lifestyle change and answer any questions that you might have.
Call Fuel Medical Group LLC for more information or to schedule an appointment.