2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/12/2025 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Starting with Babies: First Steps in Audiological and Listening and Spoken Language Services to Optimize the Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss | 301
Starting with Babies: First Steps in Audiological and Listening and Spoken Language Services to Optimize the Outcomes of Children with Hearing Loss
Congenital hearing loss is a neurodevelopmental emergency because it places a child at risk for auditory deprivation that may lead to changes in auditory brain development and deficits in listening, spoken language and reading abilities. However, recent research studies have proven that age-appropriate listening, spoken language, and reading outcomes are probable for children born with hearing loss when they receive proactive, evidence-based pediatric audiology and listening spoken language services immediately after early identification of their hearing loss. This presentation will describe the components of an evidence-based diagnostic audiology protocol designed to identify the hearing needs of each individual child with hearing loss. This presentation will also describe the components of an evidence-based protocol for the provision of pediatric audiology interventional services designed to optimize the hearing abilities of each individual child with hearing loss. Additionally, this presentation will also describe a program called “First LSL Lessons,” which includes family-centered, evidence-based listening and spoken language lessons that professionals can provide for families of children with hearing loss across their initial 11 listening and spoken language sessions. The First LSL Lessons program, which is an interactive online tool available at no cost to families and professionals, provides families with a plan for beginning strategies and techniques to use in everyday interactions with their child with hearing loss. The primary aim of this presentation is to equip professionals with a road map that serves as a guide for the services that should be provided in the 1-3-6 period to optimize the listening and spoken language outcomes of children born with hearing loss. An additional objective is to offer recommendations for how families and professionals can arrest auditory deprivation to optimize the auditory brain development and language outcomes of infants and children with hearing loss.
- Describe an Evidence-based Protocol for the Provision of Diagnostic Audiology Services for Infants Identified with Hearing Loss.
- Describe an Evidence-based Protocol for the Provision of Pediatric Audiology Intervention Services for Infants Identified with Hearing Loss.
- Describe an Evidence-based Protocol for the Provision of “First LSL Lessons” in Listening and Spoken Language Services Provided for Infants with Hearing Loss and Their Families.
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Presenters/Authors
Teresa Caraway
(Primary Presenter), Oberkotter Foundation , tcaraway@oberkotterfoundation.org;
Teresa H. Caraway, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, CEO of the Oberkotter-Foundation and Hearing First, supports families and professionals on the Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) journey through advancing science and innovation, raising awareness, increasing access and education and coordinated hearing health care. With more than 35 years experience in Auditory-Verbal practice, consulting, and presenting, Dr. Caraway thrives on leading change in knowledge, skills, and systems so that individuals with hearing loss can reach their full auditory potential. Dr. Caraway has served as the Founding CEO of Hearing First, Founding President of the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language and Co-Founder and Executive Co-Director of Hearts for Hearing. She served on the Board of Auditory-Verbal International and was a founding board member of the American Cochlear Implant Alliance.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Oberkotter Foundation.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Oberkotter Foundation, Hearing First.
Nature: None.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Jace Wolfe
(Co-Presenter), Oberkotter Foundation, jwolfe@oberkotterfoundation.org;
Jace Wolfe, Ph.D., is the Senior Vice President of Innovation at the Oberkotter Foundation. He is author of the textbook entitled “Cochlear Implants: Audiologic Management and Considerations for Implantable Hearing Devices,” and he is co-editor (with Carol Flexer, Jane Madell, and Erin Schafer) of the textbooks “Pediatric Audiology: Diagnosis, Technology, and Management, Third Edition” and “Pediatric Audiology Casebook, Second Edition.” He is also a co-author of the textbook entitled “Programming Cochlear Implants, Third Edition,” and he has published over 130 book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed and trade journals. His areas of interests are pediatric hearing healthcare and overcoming barriers that prevent children with hearing loss from reaching their full potential.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.