2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
| Minimal Pairs Matter!
Minimal Pairs Matter!
Dr. Norman Erber created an auditory matrix hierarchy called the Listening Ladder that outlines the sequential stages of listening development for children who are learning to communicate via Listening and Spoken Language. These progressive steps are Detection, Discrimination, Identification, and Comprehension. By the time children enter preschool they have often moved through these phases and are able to comprehend spoken language. Children with hearing loss who are late-identified, have poor device wear time, or experience additional disabilities may be at the level of Discrimination for auditory perception. Building consistent practice of the discrimination of minimal pairs into a child’s daily routine at school can help them make progress quickly in order to advance to more complex and practical language skills. This poster will include information that will 1) help teachers understand the importance of teaching minimal pairs, 2) provide them with functional strategies on how to teach and practice these within their classrooms, and 3) equip them with a minimal pair word inventory that differs by initial, medial, and final sounds (including sounds that differ by manner/place/voicing) as defined by the Auditory Learning Guide developed by Hearing First.
Erber NP. Auditory Training / Norman P. Erber. Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf; 1982.
- Participants will examine the importance of minimal pairs in speech discrimination.
- Participants will discover functional strategies to incorporate minimal pair practice within classroom routines.
- Participants will gain access to a resource with word lists that differ by initial/medial/final sounds (as well as manner, place, and voicing) as defined by the Auditory Learning Guide.
Presentation:
View Presentation File
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Jamie Pearce
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter), Utah State University, kni04005@gmail.com;
Jamie currently works as a teacher of the Deaf for Utah State University's graduate education program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood/Special Education, one in Communicative Sciences and Disorders, and a master's degree in Deaf Education. She has worked as a special educator with personal interests in establishing strong home-to-school collaborations and empowering students to obtain their highest personal potential.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Utah State University .
Nature: employee.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Kaitlin Dean
(Co-Author), Utah State University, a02402381@usu.edu;
Kaitlin Dean is a graduate student in the Listening and Spoken Language Interdisciplinary Deaf Education graduate training program at Utah State University. Her anticipated graduation date is May 2026.
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.
Ashley Parry
(Co-Author), Utah State University, a02311322@usu.edu;
Ashley Parry is a graduate student in the Listening and Spoken Language Interdisciplinary Deaf Education graduate training program at Utah State University. Her anticipated graduation date is May 2026.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -