Research shows that children who are identified with hearing loss and are receiving appropriate early intervention by 6 months of age have the best chance to develop normal communication and language skills.  Children who receive early intervention after 6 months of age, regardless of the degree of hearing loss, show delays in language development when compared with their hearing peers. 

 

Early intervention is the key to successful language development for deaf and hard of hearing children.  Early intervention cannot happen without timely hearing screening and diagnostic evaluation.  The sooner screening and appropriate follow up testing is completed the better!