any utory Learing TOPIC 1 CREATING AN ENRICHED AUDITORY ENVIRONMENT INTRODUCTION/FAMILY GOALS Thistopie discusses how chikiren with hearing loss derive meaning through sound and voice andthe importance of creating an enriched auditory environment fo these children. Parents and caregivers wil ear: a) the importance of ther child éeveloping an auditory {eabackoop system, (b) the need for early amplificaton/coclea implantation and how it relatesto he chi’s hearing age, and (c) how o provide an enriched auditory environment for ‘he child including the use of listening behaviors to chue the child tolisten. SAMPLE DISCUSSION Developing An Auditory Feedback Loop ‘Deafness isthe most common condition atbirth that dirs fom “normal.” Outof 1,000 births, upto six children willbe born with a bearing loss. Approximately 20 perceat of these children will have aprofound loss, Many states ae participating inthe Univers [Newborn Screening process, which identifies deafness at birth. Research indicates that chien who are identified before six montis of age and receive intervention cen experience ‘normal cognitive and linguistic development (Yoshinaga Ttano, 1998). ‘Babies bom with normal hearing are expoted toa variety oftounds and voices in their cxvironment, giving the child opportnities to make meaningfl connections with the sounds, ‘When hahis voealize, they listen tn their voice which rests a niin feedback oop _stem. This feedback loop reinforces the cildo vocalize agai (ee Visual 1), This begins ceaaly auditory, speech and language development inthe child. Osservations reveal that nfants ‘With profound hearing loss vocalizereflexvely as do their bearing pers; however, without ‘heir own auditory feedback and reinforcement by the parents aad caregivers, they will not progress beyond the awareness stage. Tepe 1: Crating An Enriched Autry Evironment 1398arly Autor Learn ‘During waking hours, your baby's brainis open to all experiences. Yourbaby is ~ soaking up information every minute ofthe day. [tis important to make sounds and voices ‘meaningful within the natural routines of yourhome. You can craw your child's attention to sound by demonstrating “listening bebavir" (such as using facil expressions, pointing to your ear, pausing and leaning in toward the child) and saying something like, “Listen, hearth dog ‘baring” or“Listea, hear Daddy calling you.” Immediately take your child tothe source ofthe sound, so hes able to meatally associat the sound with its source. Next, let yourchild interact ‘wit the sound source (lke touching the dog or erawling towards Daddy). This wil reinforce ‘your child fois listening effors. Remember, keep environmental sounds and voice meaaingfl, ‘natural, and playfil.. and most ofall have fun! (See Visual? for areview ofthe above ideas that are imprtat fr cresting an anditory enriched environment) ‘Ababybom with hearing wil develop early suitory learning ina sequent manner within the first two years ofl. Iisimportntto not tat fora child with hearing los, cach auulory stage may take several months or longerta develop. Your audiologist will bean excellent resource inbelping youto evaluate your childs progress. We wll explore inthe upcoming opie, the stages of erly listening development and how o encourage your chil to develop ber isting kil SAMPLE ACTIVITIES 1. Hlpthe prents/enrepiver determine thechil's hazving ape and whatit means as they ‘interpret the results onthe Language Developmeat Scale (LDS). 2, Doa“listering walk” activity with te parents to help them geta fee! for what cenviroomentl sounds may interfere with the speaker's voice (and so their child's ‘understanding of speech). Give the parents the child's hearing ad attached toa stethoset listen to, Ask the parents tobe seated and nottomove. Walkaround the oom whiletalking othe parents, maintaining the same loudness level wth your voice. ‘As youmove about, ty to create noises along the way (tum TV on/off, move chair ‘across the oor, turn on an eppliance, etc). How did the noise affect your (the speaker’) signal? How well di the parentshear youas you moved about the room and furtberaway? Repeat this activity as you explore diferent rooms in the bome, 20 outside, or-de in the car. List these sounds that compete wit the child's istening ability. 3. Recitethe ausery rhyme, “Mary Had A Litle Lamb,” very quickly tthe parents. Ask ‘them to assess your “motherese” skills. After your discussion, recite the same rhyme eple 1: Crating dn Enriched Audiory Emiromant ol