- 12 Speech and Language Considerations
- ASL Development
- Cued Speech Information
- Math & Language Development
- Social Communication – PRAGMATICS
- Theory of Mind – Implications for Social Success
Language is learned through exposure. Children pick up words that they hear (or signs that they see) in their environment as adults are communicating with one another. Approximately 80% of new words are learned by overhearing. For a child with hearing loss, there is a smaller listening bubble meaning that they have to be closer (or much, much closer) to the talker before they will be able to detect and/or comfortably hear what is being said. To develop spoken language, a child must be able to hear speech clearly and also hear themselves (auditory feedback loop). Children with very limited hearing or those who are hard of hearing but do not (consistently) wear amplification will not be able to develop language and speech at the same rate as age peers.
Brief Summary of Language and Speech Development
Communication options overview: Ways to Communicate with a Child with Hearing Loss Describes what communication choices or communication options means and provides a short summary and resource links. Brief information is provided on each of the communication choices as follows:
- American Sign Language (ASL)
- Cued Speech
- Signing Exact English
- Combined Communication Strategies
- Auditory Oral
- Auditory Verbal
Public Service Video on Communication Development in Early Childhood
Language is Caught, Not Taught (handout shown above)
Language Unlocks Learning handout
CID QUICK TIPS VIDEO – Eliciting Language Using Sabotage
Why is it critical to check hearing for all children with speech/language delays?

Psarommatis, IM, Goritsa, E., Douniadakis, D., Tsakanikos, M., Kontrogianni, AD., Apostolopoulous, N., (2001) Hearing Loss in speech-language delayed children. Int. J. Pediatr. Otorhinolaryngol, May 11; 58(3): 205-10. Abstract.
Sound Foundation for Babies and Toddlers
Cochlear Corporation has a suite of resources to assist with listening and language development from birth to 6 years of age. Free download! The Sound Foundation resources, by Nancy Caleffe-Schenck, offer week by week activities that can be shared with families as a recommended website, or to augment activities discussed during early intervention. Each week includes a video tutorial and attention specific to audition, receptive/expressive language, speech, songs, rhymes, etc.
Materials developed at the Franklin Porter Graham Child Development Institute: http://mtbt.fpg.unc.edu/more-baby-talk
Download 10 Ways to Promote the Language & Communication in Infants & Toddlers