Listen, and Ye Shall Speak: Facilitating Spoken Language Development Through Auditory Training

Abstract

Reviews the book, Auditory Communication for Deaf Children by N. P. Erber (2011). When working with the hearing families of children with hearing loss, a common question is “What do I need to do to teach my child to speak?” From parents and teaching professionals alike, there is a thirst for concrete, practical information that can be used in working toward this goal. This is a book that answers this question thoroughly. Its information is accessible to any reader, from parents through to speech and hearing professionals, and even students. The book begins with an overview of the process of communication and describes some of the diagnostic testing and training methods and aids that can be used to make sound more available for children with hearing loss. Detailed explanations of the speech perception and rehabilitation processes give the reader an understanding of the sequence of auditory skill development. In addition to providing comprehensive auditory skill development and speech-production improvement programs, this book promotes an understanding of what it means to have a hearing loss, in terms of the challenges facing parents and children as they commence their shared learning journey toward the children developing spoken language and communication skills. This is a simple and practical book that will be invaluable to those involved with hearing loss and its remediation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)