Age-related hearing loss (ARHL), known as presbycusis, is characterized by progressive deterioration of auditory sensitivity, loss of the auditory sensory cells, and central processing functions associated with the aging process. ARHL is the third most prevalent chronic condition in older Americans, after hypertension and arthritis, and is a…

A common misconception about families in the UK who choose to participate in an Auditory Verbal (AV) approach for their child with hearing impairment, is that they are uniformly from affluent backgrounds. It is asserted that the good spoken language outcomes in these children are a product of the child's social background and family's values…

This study investigated the effects of irrelevant sounds on the serial recall performance of visually presented digits in a sample of children diagnosed with (central) auditory processing disorders [(C)APD] and age- and span-matched control groups. The irrelevant sounds used were samples of tones and speech. Memory performance was significantly…

Providing unbiased data concerning the outcomes of particular intervention methods is imperative if professionals and parents are to assimilate information which could contribute to an "informed choice". An evaluation of Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) was conducted using a formal assessment of spoken language as an outcome measure. Spoken…

This auditory training program used an analytic distinctive feature approach to attempt to improve consonant recognition in single syllable words through listening and speechreading practice. Two hundred exercises addressed 3 auditory features: voicing, nasality, and sibilancy. The Phoneme Identification Test showed no statistical change in 26…

The speech and language developmental progress of children with hearing loss educated using an Auditory-Verbal approach was compared to that of a control group of children with normal hearing. The experimental group consisted of 29 children ages 2-6 years with a mean pure tone average in the better ear of 76.17 dB HL at 0.5, 1 and 2 kHz. The 29…

It is clear that there is a substantial need and demand for clinical services within the hearing-impaired population. As services are expanded, opportunities for growth should be extended to the deaf community to stimulate positive potentials rather than concentrating solely on pathology and impairment. (CJ)

Describes the rationale for, and the routine use of, individual and sound-field FM technology with children having all degrees of hearing loss. This technology is seen as enhancing acoustic accessibility in home and school environments for children of all ages. (DB)

This paper examines the construct of evidence-based practice, how existing data on the effectiveness of the Auditory-Verbal (A-V) approach for children with hearing loss are evaluated within this construct, and whether implementation of an A-V intervention model is therefore justified. It concludes with a recurrent call for action towards…

While the Auditory-Verbal approach has been a popular intervention option for children with hearing loss since the 1940s. few empirical studies have evaluated the communication and academic outcomes of those children who have participated in this intervention approach. The focus of this article is to discuss the standards of evidence-based…