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Importance of Early Intervention

Today, more babies with hearing loss receive services early because of newborn hearing screening. Research shows that babies with hearing loss who start early education by six months of age have the best opportunity to develop normal speech and language as well as readiness for school by the time they are five years old.

Sound Beginnings staff believe that the child’s primary teacher is the family. Working in partnership with families, Sound Beginnings helps parents be confident in supporting their child's ability to listen and talk. Working together, parents learn how to maximize use of current hearing technology to assist their child’s language and learning. Parents also learn how to teach their child language, social skills, and pre-literacy skills.

Important components of early intervention are:

1) Using a consistent communication method. Parents must choose the approach that is right for their child and family, and be consistent in using that approach at home, school, and out in the community.

2) Regular, intensive intervention: Given the importance of starting early, intervention should be provided at least weekly for infants and toddlers, with lots of implementation into the daily routine by family members. Sound Beginnings full-day preschool provides intensive intervention for children ages 3- 5 years, when vocabulary, pre-literacy, and social interaction are particularly important.

3) Strong family involvement: Families are the primary teachers for young children, and they are key to strengthening their child’s speech and listening skills. Families deserve to have access to needed information and support so that they understand how to enhance their child’s language throughout the daily routine. Families must partner with professionals to offer their own expertise about how their child’s needs can be met.