Auditory Verbal Therapy

When Natalie was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at 6 weeks, we were immediately introduced with a group called, NC Early Intervention Program For Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. We were assigned a parent-infant educator who comes out to our house weekly for 1 hour sessions doing auditory-verbal therapy (AVT) for Natalie.

Many people asked us at the beginning if we were learning sign language and the answer was simply no. We want Natalie to learn to listen. We don't want her to rely on lip reading, signing or cued speech. We want to force her ears to work with her cochlear implants. (later on down the road we/she may like to learn sign language as another form as well.)

pointing to her airplane

As of January 24th, her hearing age was 0 (like a newborn) so we are coming up on 1 month of hearing! We are seeing great progress already. One of the first learning to listen sounds we work on is the airplane  "ah-ah" sound. We have been doing this since she was a baby, and although she probably never heard anything even with her hearing aids on, she was able to make that sound just as a normal baby sound. (she is definitely saying it a lot more now.)

I took this video with just my digital camera so it is kind of grainy. Hoping to get a new video camera soon.

With the AVT we really try and get the "ah-ah" sound in a lot. Whether we sing it, say it as we are feeding her, etc. Trying to find ways to sneak it in. The other kids even know it and will get the toy airplanes out and practice with her. Well, it has paid off. She is really understanding so well. We can now say the first part "ah" ---- and she will finish it off with the other "ah." It has been so wonderful and exciting to watch her progress.

"ah-ah"

We have many, many learning to listen sounds. This week our goal is working with a top and saying "round and round" in a long sing-songy voice. The goal will be to have her hear what we are doing, and hopefully repeating back to us the same pattern or duration of sound. Other goals are to be able to have various learning to listen toys out (train "choo-choo", airplane "ah-ah", cow "moo", and when we say the sound to see if she grabs the correct toy.  Of course this will come with a lot of practice and age.

and yes, all the learning to listen toys do taste good!

 She really is doing so well and it has been exciting to see the baby steps of learning to listen.