Developing a Listening Brain: An introduction to Auditory-Verbal Therapy

· CPD points & talks · Psychologists

Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) is a specialised, evidence-based approach designed to support children with hearing loss in developing spoken language through listening. In this foundational presentation, Jenni Bester and Barbara Kellett—the first certified Auditory-Verbal Therapists (LSLS Cert. AVT) in South Africa—explore the crucial relationship between hearing, brain development, and language acquisition.

This talk introduces the core principles of AVT, including early intervention, parent coaching, and a developmental, listening-first approach. Jenni and Barbara draw from both research and their clinical expertise to guide psychologists and allied professionals in understanding how to better support families of children with hearing loss.

Sections

• Introduction
• Why is hearing loss a neurodevelopmental emergency?
• What is AVT?
• When do we start?
• How do we proceed?

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this talk, participants will be able to:

• Understand the neurodevelopmental impact of hearing loss in infancy and early childhood.
• Gain insight into the principles and practice of Auditory-Verbal Therapy.
• Learn why early intervention is critical in shaping listening and language outcomes.
• Recognise the importance of parent engagement and coaching in AVT.
• Explore culturally and contextually relevant adaptations for diverse settings, including low-resource environments.

 

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