Thanks to significant advancements in technology and early identification, children with hearing loss are making remarkable progress in oral communication. Today, it is entirely feasible for a child with severe hearing loss to develop oral language, attend their local public school, and thrive academically.

Understanding Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can be categorized into two primary types:

1. Conductive Loss: This type of hearing loss occurs when the outer or middle ear fails to function correctly, leading to sounds being “blocked” and not carried to the inner ear for processing. Conductive losses are often treatable with medication or surgery. Ear infections, which cause fluid buildup in the middle ear, are a common cause of conductive hearing loss.

2. Sensorineural Loss: The most common type of hearing loss, sensorineural loss, occurs due to issues within the inner ear or auditory nerve. Unlike conductive loss, this type is not typically treatable with surgery. However, hearing aids or cochlear implants can be highly effective in managing the condition. Sensorineural loss can affect one or both ears and can vary in severity and frequency.

The Range of Hearing Loss

The human ear is capable of hearing a wide range of frequencies, from a low 125 Hz to a high 8000 Hz. Speech sounds span across all these frequencies. The severity of hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB) on a scale from 0 to 120 dB. Here’s a breakdown of hearing loss severity:

• Normal Hearing: -10 to 15 dB

• Slight Hearing Loss: 16 to 25 dB

• Mild Hearing Loss: 26 to 40 dB

• Moderate Hearing Loss: 41 to 55 dB

• Moderately-Severe Hearing Loss: 56 to 70 dB

• Severe Hearing Loss: 71 to 90 dB

• Profound Hearing Loss: 90+ dB

It is common for individuals to experience varying degrees of hearing loss across different frequencies, meaning they may hear some sounds better than others.

Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants

For individuals with sensorineural hearing loss, hearing aids are often the first line of treatment. Audiologists carefully tune these devices to amplify the sounds that the patient struggles to hear, while optimizing the sounds that they can already hear well.

In cases where hearing aids are not sufficient due to the severity of the hearing loss, cochlear implants become a viable option. These implants can be used in children as young as one year old. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify sound, cochlear implants bypass the damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.

The Role of Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy play a crucial role in the development of communication skills for children and adults with hearing loss. For children, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with expertise in hearing loss help their patients become aware of sounds, recognize and identify words, and begin to comprehend spoken language.

For adults, SLPs assist with aural rehabilitation, teaching communication strategies to maximize their residual hearing. Involvement of an SLP is essential for anyone diagnosed with hearing loss to fully maximize their oral language and communication abilities.

Source URL: https://www.speechandot.com/hearing-loss-cochlear-implants/

September 02, 2024

 Articulation disorder in children is characterized by an inability to make specific word sounds properly after the expected age. This speech sound disorder often involves substituting one sound for another and slurred or indistinct speech.

Although speech therapy is a vital element in correcting articulation problems, here are some ways to help your child with articulation skills in various environments outside of therapy:

1. Practice Revision Daily

Revision is a technique where you repeat what your child has just said, but with the correct pronunciation. It’s also helpful to give the incorrect word sound extra emphasis. You can practice revision in almost any setting, whether during playtime, at the grocery store, or while driving.

2. Avoid Imitating Your Child’s Errors

Instead of imitating the ways your child pronounces or leaves out sounds, model correct speech. While the ways your child pronounces words can be extremely cute, avoid reinforcing incorrect articulation by laughing at or repeating them. Consider taking a video of your child’s adorable utterances to cherish once they’ve corrected them.

3. Read, Read, Read to Your Child

Reading to your child plays a vital role in their development, including their speech. Listening to you read allows them to enjoy a story while you model correct articulation, making for a speech lesson in disguise. This strategy is especially effective if you read books specifically designed for articulation skills.

4. Incorporate Modeling into Play

Like reading to your child, modeling correct speech during play is a way to sneak in a speech lesson. Whether you’re playing a board game or taking a nature walk, leisure time with your child provides entertainment and subconscious learning opportunities.

5. Narrate Daily Routines

As you and your child go about your daily routines such as getting ready for daycare or school, picking up toys, and during mealtimes, narrate the things you both are doing. This provides a larger variety of words to practice in different settings.

6. Practice Successful Words

While modeling correct pronunciation of words your child struggles with is essential, it’s also important to practice words your child has corrected successfully. This helps them solidify their corrections and reinforces a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’re concerned about your child’s speech and language development, please contact Speech and Occupational Therapy of North Texas to schedule a consultation.

By incorporating these practices into your daily routines, you can support your child's progress in overcoming articulation disorder and improving their speech skills. Please call us at 972-424-0148

July 28, 2024

 The Interactive Metronome (IM) is a brain-based rehabilitation assessment and training program designed to enhance processing abilities that influence attention, motor planning, and sequencing. This program aims to improve motor skills such as mobility and gross motor function, as well as fundamental cognitive capacities including planning, organizing, and language.

Who Can Benefit?

The IM program is beneficial for individuals with a variety of challenges, including motor planning and sequencing problems, speech and language delays, motor and sensory disorders, learning deficits, and various cognitive and physical difficulties. Both adult and pediatric patients can benefit from IM, particularly those with:

• Sensory Integration Disorder
• Asperger Syndrome
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• ADD/ADHD
• Cerebral Palsy

Benefits

Motor planning and sequencing issues are associated with a range of developmental, behavioral, and learning challenges. Over a decade of clinical research on IM has shown that improvements in motor planning and sequencing can lead to enhancements in:

• Attention and Concentration
• Language Processing
• Behavior (reducing Aggression and Impulsivity)
• Motor Control and Coordination
• Academic Performance

Expert Endorsement

This information is provided by Cheryl Miller-Scott, OTR/L, the National Director of Clinical Services at Health South Hospitals. Her endorsement highlights the significance of IM in fostering improvements across various domains of cognitive and physical function.

June 30, 2024

Children with hearing loss are making significant strides in oral communication thanks to technological advancements and early identification. Today, it is quite possible for a child with severe hearing loss to speak, learn oral language, and attend their local public school.

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Loss

• Definition: Occurs when the outer or middle ear fails to work properly, blocking sounds from reaching the inner ear.
• Causes: Often treatable with medication or surgery; common causes include ear infections that lead to fluid buildup in the middle ear.

Sensorineural Loss

• Definition: Involves issues with the inner ear or auditory nerve and is the most common type of hearing loss.
• Treatment: Not surgically treatable, but can be managed with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
• Characteristics: Can occur in one or both ears, and varies in degree and frequency.

Hearing Loss Severity and Frequency Range

The human ear can detect sounds from 125 Hz to 8000 Hz, encompassing all speech sounds. The severity of hearing loss is measured in decibels (dB):

• Normal hearing: -10 to 15 dB
• Slight loss: 16 to 25 dB
• Mild loss: 26 to 40 dB
• Moderate loss: 41 to 55 dB
• Moderately-severe loss: 56 to 70 dB
• Severe loss: 71 to 90 dB
• Profound loss: 90+ dB

Hearing loss often varies across different frequencies, allowing individuals to hear some frequencies better than others.

Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants

Hearing Aids

• Usage: Commonly fitted for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss.
• Function: Audiologists tune hearing aids to amplify frequencies that the patient does not hear well, making use of the frequencies they can hear.

Cochlear Implants

• Candidates: Suitable for those with severe hearing loss who do not benefit sufficiently from hearing aids.
• Function: Unlike hearing aids, cochlear implants bypass damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve.
• Eligibility: Can be implanted in children as young as one year old.

The Role of Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapy is vital for individuals with hearing loss.

For Children

• Focus: Helps children become aware of sounds, identify and recognize words, sounds, and objects, and begin understanding oral language.
• Professionals: Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) specialized in working with children with hearing loss play a crucial role in their development.

For Adults

• Focus: Involves aural rehabilitation, teaching communication strategies to maximize residual hearing.
• Professionals: SLPs assist in optimizing communication abilities in daily life.

Importance of Early Intervention

Early identification and intervention are key to maximizing oral language and communication skills in children with hearing loss. Involvement of a speech-language pathologist is essential for effective treatment and development.

May 29, 2024

Interactive Metronome, or IM, is a valuable tool used in therapy to enhance neurological processes like motor planning, sequencing, and processing. Midge Ross, OTR, a highly experienced provider in Plano, particularly on the east side near Garland, Murphy, and Richardson, offers advanced IM therapy with new wireless technology for greater movement freedom and flexibility.

Sessions typically occur at least twice weekly for 3 to 6 months, depending on treatment progression. IM benefits children with sensory integration dysfunction, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, CAPD, attention and motor impairments, among others.

During IM sessions, clients synchronize hand and foot exercises to a precise computer-generated tone via headphones. Immediate auditory-visual feedback is provided, yielding measurable scores.

Treatment outcomes may include improved focus, attention span, physical endurance, ability to filter distractions, self-monitoring, and coordination.

Summer is an excellent time to focus on IM therapy. For questions or information tailored to your child’s needs, Midge Ross is available for consultations. Visit www.speechandot.com to learn more. 

May 01, 2024

 

Language stimulation refers to a series of activities and techniques that parents, guardians, or educators can employ to enhance a child's language comprehension skills. When utilized effectively, language stimulation can assist a child in expanding their vocabulary, forming longer sentences, engaging in reciprocal communication, and understanding how to use language in various social contexts.

Self-Talk

Self-talk involves the parent, guardian, or educator describing their actions either before or while carrying them out, particularly when the child is present. This technique is most effective when the child actively participates in the activity. For instance, a parent might say, "I'm sitting next to you so I can see what you're trying to put into your mouth."

Parallel Talk

Parallel talk is akin to self-talk but focuses on narrating the child's actions rather than the adult's. It is essential to incorporate pauses, maintain eye contact, and utilize body language to encourage the child's involvement in the communication process. For example, a parent might say, "It's snack time for you. You're eating applesauce. After you finish the applesauce, you'll have some orange slices."

Child-Directed Speech

Child-directed speech involves adjusting the pitch, tone, and tempo of one's voice to facilitate the child's understanding, distinct from traditional "baby talk." Pronounced pitch variations, slower speech rates, frequent pauses, and clear pronunciation help make adult speech more comprehensible to children.

Expansions

Expansions entail the adult taking a one- or two-word phrase uttered by the child and transforming it into a complete and relevant sentence. This technique not only teaches the child how to construct full sentences but also demonstrates active listening on the part of the adult. For instance, if a child says, "doggy," the adult could respond with, "Yes, the dog is running through the park with its owner."

 Extensions

Extensions are akin to expansions but are used when a child combines multiple words without forming a complete sentence. The adult then creates a full sentence using the child's words, subtly correcting and guiding the child in proper language usage. For instance, if a child says, "Car go," the adult might respond with, "The car is red. The red car is going towards the stop sign. The red car stops."

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's speech and language development, please don't hesitate to contact us at Speech and Occupational Therapy of North Texas to schedule a consultation.

March 27, 2024

Receptive language disorder occurs when a child struggles to understand spoken language, experiencing difficulty in processing and retaining auditory information. This challenge manifests in their ability to follow instructions or directions. While therapy is highly recommended for addressing receptive language disorder, there are also proactive steps you can take to support your child's progress.

1. Get Therapy It is crucial not to adopt a 'wait and see' approach. Some parents may be advised that their child could outgrow the issue, but delaying intervention can exacerbate the problem. The brain is more receptive to learning language skills before the age of 5, and addressing challenges early is essential to prevent ingrained habits, such as articulation errors.

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3. Adequate Speech and Language Therapy Research indicates that children receiving therapy at least twice a week are more likely to show faster improvement in articulation.

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5. Choosing Between Group and Individual Therapy Individual speech therapy, especially for articulation, has proven to be more effective for addressing disorders. Individual sessions allow therapists to identify and address specific challenges unique to each child. Children also have varied learning styles, which group settings may not cater to effectively.

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7. Ensure a Highly-Equipped Therapist The quality of therapy is crucial. Select a therapist well-versed in receptive language disorder and capable of establishing a positive connection with your child. A skilled therapist can identify and address issues effectively. A mismatch in rapport or expertise may lead to resistance from the child, requiring additional time for the therapist to build trust.

When seeking high-quality therapy in Plano, Texas, to help your child overcome receptive language disorder, consider contacting Speech & OT. Their experienced therapists have successfully assisted numerous children in overcoming this disorder, and they are well-equipped to support your child's journey to improvement.

February 01, 2024