Deafness and Hard of Hearing
According to the Virginia Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program, up to 300 babies are born in Virginia each year who have a hearing loss. The resources and information found here are intended to help practitioners learn more about supporting young children with hearing loss and their families. Visit the resource landing pad for information about evidence-based practices and topics; online, print, and video resources, and Virginia-specific guidance.
Landing Pad
Deafness and Hard of Hearing Landing Pad PDF | HTML
Articles & Handouts
Basic Genetics (external website; PDF)
Causes of Hearing Loss
My Baby’s Hearing - Hearing & Amplification
NIDCD
This handout addressed Frequently Asked Questions about genetics related to hearing loss.
Common Causes of Hearing Loss for Parents and Families (external website; PDF)
Harvard Medical School
Center for Hereditary Deafness
This booklet covers introductory level information about hearing loss.
Part C Eligibility Considerations for Infants & Toddlers Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing PDF | HTML
IDEA Infant & Toddler Coordinators Association and National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management at Utah State University. January 2011.
This document discusses issues related to eligibility determination for infants and toddlers with hearing loss.
Moeller, M. P. (2000). Early intervention and language development in children who are deaf and hard of hearing. PEDIATRICS, 106(3), 1-9. (external website; PDF)
This study was conducted with 112 children who were deaf or hard of hearing and examined the effects of early intervention and family involvement on language outcomes. Results indicated that enrollment in early intervention, particularly when families were actively involved, was associated with higher language scores for children.
Risk Factors for Late Onset Hearing Loss: Features Associated with the Syndromes (external website; PDF)
Washington State Dept. of Health
This document provides information about genetic syndromes associated with hearing loss.
Online Learning
Rules of the Road: A Foundation for Understanding Early Hearing Detection & Intervention
The 1-3-6 Process: A Road Map for Newborn Hearing Screening and Follow-up
VA’s Integrated Training Collaborative
Partnership for People with Disabilities at VCU
These modules are designed to help early intervention practitioners and medical doctors navigate the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention process in Virginia.
Teaching Babies with Hearing Loss to Listen and Talk (external website)
Smart Ears
Often early intervention therapists have questions when it comes to working with infants and young babies with hearing loss. Smart Ears has put together mini video lessons (only 2-3 minutes each) that will help them grasp some key elements of working with babies. New lessons are added periodically. Lessons so far:
- Just waiiiiit!
- Let's Whisper!
- Hold Out!
- Life's A Jingle!
- No Throwing!
- Speaking Means Control
- Repetition, Repetition, Repetition!
Websites, Resources & Programs
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (external website)
This page provides links to many resources to help practitioners and parents understand hearing, balance, speech, language, and swallowing. Some information is also available in Spanish at http://www.asha.org/public/espanol/
Small Steps PDF
VA School for the Deaf and the Blind
This free parent-infant education program is managed by VSDB and is designed for families raising children who are deaf, hard of hearing, who have low vision and who are blind.
Virginia Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (External Website)
The goal of the Virginia Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program is to identify congenital hearing loss in children before three months of age and to assure enrollment in appropriate early intervention services before six months of age.
