Auditory-Verbal Therapy

What Auditory-Verbal Therapy Looks Like in the Home for Children with Hearing Aids or Cochlear Implants


For children who are deaf or hard of hearing and use hearing technology such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, developing strong listening and spoken language skills is entirely possible—especially with the right support from the start. One of the most effective approaches to building these skills is Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT).

AVT is a specialized, evidence-based approach that teaches children with hearing loss to use listening as their primary method of learning language. And when this therapy takes place in the comfort of the child’s home, the outcomes can be even more powerful and natural.

We’ll walk through what auditory-verbal therapy looks like in a home setting, what parents can expect during sessions, and how this family-centered model supports children in developing confident, connected communication.

What Is Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT)?


Auditory-verbal therapy is a highly specialized intervention led by certified professionals (LSLS Cert. AVT) trained to support listening and spoken language development in children with hearing loss. The focus is on helping children learn to listen—not just to hear sounds, but to understand and use spoken language through their hearing technology.

AVT is rooted in the belief that, with early identification, appropriate hearing devices, and intensive listening-focused therapy, children who are deaf or hard of hearing can learn to communicate using spoken language and thrive in mainstream settings.

Why Home-Based AVT Makes a Difference


Auditory-verbal therapy is most effective when it's integrated into a child’s natural routines, relationships, and environment. That’s why home-based AVT is so powerful: it allows parents and caregivers to practice listening strategies during everyday moments—where language learning naturally happens.

Rather than isolating therapy into once-a-week clinic visits, home AVT turns everyday activities like getting dressed, mealtime, play, or grocery shopping into opportunities for listening and learning.

What a Home-Based AVT
Session Looks Like


Every AVT session is personalized, playful, and grounded in family coaching. Here’s what a typical session might include:

1. Check-In and Listening Check

The session usually begins with:

  • A brief discussion about how the child is doing

  • A listening check to confirm the child’s hearing technology is functioning correctly (hearing aids or cochlear implants)

  • Reviewing progress on the goals from the previous session

This ensures the child is set up for success and gives the therapist a clear picture of daily challenges or wins.

2. Embedded Language and Listening Activities

The heart of AVT involves natural play and conversation-based learning, not worksheets or isolated drills. For example:

  • During snack time: The therapist coaches the parent to describe choices (“Do you want the banana or the cracker?”), use acoustic highlighting (“MMMMmm… that’s a crunchy cracker!”), and pause to let the child respond.

  • During play: They may model how to build listening through pretend play (“The dog is running! Can you hear the ‘rrrr’ sound?”) or sound-based games (“Let’s listen—do you hear the truck outside?”).

  • During books and songs: AVT sessions may include reading together, pointing out rhymes and patterns, and building vocabulary through sound-rich stories.

All activities are customized to the child’s developmental level and interests—and designed to stretch their auditory comprehension and expressive language skills.

3. Auditory Hierarchy and Listening Goals

The therapist targets goals based on the auditory hierarchy—the natural progression of listening skills:

  1. Detection – Hearing the presence of sound

  2. Discrimination – Telling the difference between sounds

  3. Identification – Recognizing and naming a sound or word

  4. Comprehension – Understanding meaning from spoken language

In a session, the therapist might start by having the child listen for environmental sounds (e.g., “Did you hear the doorbell?”), then move toward identifying words (“Where’s the ball?”), and eventually build toward understanding sentences or following multi-step directions.

4. Parent Coaching and Modeling

A key feature of AVT is that parents are active participants, not passive observers. The therapist coaches caregivers in real-time, offering:

  • Strategies for drawing the child’s attention to sound

  • Language modeling techniques (e.g., repetition, expansion, acoustic highlighting)

  • Feedback on how to naturally reinforce listening throughout the day

By empowering families with tools and strategies, AVT continues long after the session ends.

5. Goal Review and Home Practice

At the end of each session, the therapist and parent reflect on what worked well and outline a few practical strategies to use during the week. This might include:

  • Listening walks in the neighborhood

  • Sound scavenger hunts around the house

  • Emphasizing new vocabulary during routine activities

Therapy isn’t confined to an hour—it’s built into bath time, car rides, sibling play, and bedtime stories

What Progress Looks Like in AVT


Success in auditory-verbal therapy can look like:

  • A child alerting to and responding to sounds in their environment

  • Understanding simple words and following directions

  • Using more spoken words or phrases to express wants and needs

  • Increased confidence and participation in conversation

  • Reduced reliance on visual cues for understanding language

It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress, connection, and unlocking the child’s full communication potential through listening.

Final Thoughts: Listening Begins at Home


Auditory-verbal therapy in the home setting helps children who are deaf or hard of hearing build spoken language skills through meaningful, everyday experiences. By embedding therapy into daily life and coaching families to become communication partners, AVT sets the stage for long-term success—academically, socially, and emotionally.

Whether your child is newly aided or has been using their hearing technology for a while, it’s never too early (or too late) to start building listening and language through AVT—right at home.

Ready to start AVT from the comfort of your home?


We specialize in in-home auditory-verbal therapy that supports both children and families. Contact us today to learn more about our personalized services for children with hearing loss. Let’s build a strong foundation for listening, learning, and connection—together.