The handbook, in the format of an open letter to parents of hearing impaired (HI) children, responds to surveyed parent needs on parent concerns, books, resources, parent rights, and effectiveness of the aural/oral education method. Following identification of four major parent concerns such as increased awareness of the importance of the medical profession for early identification of HI in children, parents are directed to the appendixes for reading and resource lists, and publications on parents rights (e.g. choosing the most appropriate education program). Research supportive of aural/oral education is reviewed, and eight statements based on the research, which indicate importance of speech training, are presented. Among eight promises made to parents by professionals is,"insist on...a cascade of educational options for your children." A bibliography contains 17 citations. Appendixes include recommended reading, a list of resource organizations, sources for parent rights information, "Guidelines for Evaluating Programs for Children with a Hearing Impairment," information on Canada, and information on 21 independent schools and programs providing auditory/oral education for HI children. (MC)