A recent study out of University of Iowa confirms what is common knowledge in the field of Listening and Spoken Language – early intervention is the key to success.   And even mild loss can be problematic to developing essential language blocks in young children.

          “The cautionary note from our research is that any degree of hearing loss, even mild,  places children at risk.  Our study also shows that the risk can be minimized with early and aggressive intervention.” Dr Bruce Tomblin, Emeritus professor at University of Iowa and lead researcher.

The study, The Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss, was recently published out of University of Iowa in conjunction with Boys Town National Research Hospital and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  Funded by the National Institute of Health and other sources, the article evaluated the outcomes of 317 children with hearing loss, then compared their long term outcomes with hearing peers.  Initially focusing on language outcomes, the study also mentions additional factors that can effect language delays such as wearing devices consistently, the impact of poorly fitting hearing aides and the importance of support for programs that can help.  As a long time practitioner in the field and heavily involved on a national level, St Joseph’s President, Teri Ouellette, MS Ed, LSLS AVEd Cert, is pleased the release of this important research. “It is so important to have great research to back up what we have always known. Children who get early access to language, and intensive quality services to leverage that access, can close the “language gap” in ways we never imagined when I began my practice nearly forty years ago. This is what powers our passion to be sure every family can get the services they need, no matter where they live.  These powerful results are why we at St Joseph Institute stretch our resources every day to serve more than a hundred children under three.”

Educators echo the findings and their impact.  “Absolutely,” states Michele Graham, MA, CED, LSLS Cert AVEd and Lead Interventionist at the St Louis location.  “Educators in the field have long known the key to success for children with hearing loss is early intervention.  When used in combination with family centered therapy, children with hearing loss close the gap quickly and develop in synchrony with their hearing peers.”

Read the full article here