Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) : Science, Research and Practice

“Auditory-Verbal Therapy: Science, Research and Practice provides valuable and updated knowledge on key aspects of the foundations of auditory-verbal-therapy, auditory development, the intervention, and the evidence behind it. Furthermore, the book highlights important discussions of the auditory-verbal approach including how to plan the intervention both in-situ and by tele practise, how to coach parents/caregivers, how to work diagnostically by use of on-going assessment and monitoring of the child s development. It is appreciated that the book includes discussions of all types of clinical challenges such as children with ANSD, single-sided deafness, soft failure of internal electrodes for children with cochlear implants and not least addresses issues regarding children with additional needs. These areas are important to highlight and discuss as they are understudied in the international literature. This book makes a substantial contribution in a highly warranted area.”—Lone Percy-Smith, PhD, MA , Speech and Language Pathologist, Postdoc Dpt. ORL, H & N Surgery and Audiology, Center for Hearing and Balance, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen

“Together, [this] massive work effectively summarizes auditory-verbal practice, highlights specific challenges to service providers that have hindered access to care for many in the past, and presents valuable solutions and examples. Any clinician or caregiver interested in the latest clinical and academic trends in auditory-verbal therapy should consult this resource.”

—Hillary Ganek, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, Assistant Professor at Western University, in Canadian Audiologist (Vol. 8, Issue 1, 2021)

“Created by three of the world leaders in Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT), this book is an expansive and collaborative global effort by expert practitioners in the field of AVT. A voluminous publication, it is a welcome and essential resource for current and aspiring AVT practitioners, as well as for professionals interested in, and associated with the care of deaf and hard of hearing children and their families, who are seeking a listening and spoken language outcome for their child.
By consulting with current practitioners via a global survey, the authors, have obtained up-to-date data about current practices and trends in the AVT field, and what key areas of need are evolving into the future. […]
Early career AVTs will welcome the comprehensive detailed and holistic coverage of assessment, lesson planning across all developmental domains, whilst experienced clinicians will find invaluable, the final section on extending AVT practice to children and families with additional and complex needs. One of the most valuable topics for clinical practice is how to provide and/or modify AVT treatment plans for children with more complex hearing-related issues (including Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD), Cochlear Nerve Deficiency, Single-Sided Deafness, Cochlear implant device failures and congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)), as well as for children with additional learning and/ or developmental challenges that traditionally may not been considered as candidates for AVT. […]
This book is a valuable reference for anyone interested in and/ or involved in the care of children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, including AVT therapists, allied health professionals, educators and families. It is highly recommended reading to all audiologists, especially those working with paediatric clients.”

—Marisa Skok, Cert. AVT, ToD, Audiologist Next Sense, Melbourne, in Audiology Now (Issue 83)

Warren Estabrooks, M.Ed., Dip. Ed. Deaf, LSLS Cert. AVT, is the President and CEO of WE Listen International, a global consulting company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He and his consulting team provide education, training, and professional practice development in Auditory-Verbal Therapy for practitioners who work with children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families around the world. Former teacher at the Toronto District School Board and Director of the Auditory Learning Centre of the Learning to Listen Foundation at North York General Hospital in Toronto, Mr. Estabrooks was also a Founding Director of Auditory-Verbal International and of the AG Bell Academy for Listening and Spoken Language. He is the honored patron of the Warren Estabrooks Centre of Colombo, Sri Lanka, Soundsteps of Mumbai and London, and the Warren Estabrooks Speakers’ Series of SoundIntuition, Toronto. He is a recognized Canadian of Distinction, recipient of many professional and humanitarian awards, and he has made numerous significant contributions to the literature.

Helen McCaffrey Morrison, PhD, CCC/A (Retired), LSLS Cert. AVT, is an educator, audiologist, and Auditory-Verbal Therapist. As an Associate Professor at Texas Christian University she taught future educators and speech-language pathologists and published research in both early speech development and Auditory-Verbal practice patterns. Following retirement, she founded Listening-Speaking-Learning, mentoring professionals and teaching global online courses. Helen served in the AG Bell Academy as a member of the Certification Committee and the Mentoring Committee. Helen is a co-author of the Mentor s Guide to Auditory-Verbal Competencies. She received the Health Care Hero Award, Research and Academic Division from the Dallas Business Journal.

Karen MacIver-Lux, MA, Aud(C), Reg. CASLPO, LSLS Cert. AVT, is President and CEO of SoundIntuition, a company that provides continuing education opportunities, training, and consulting for professionals who work with children who have communication disorders. She is also Director of MacIver-Lux Auditory Learning Services in Toronto, and a proud consultant of WE Listen International, Inc. Formerly, she was Coordinator of Clinical Services at the Learning to Listen Foundation, of which she is a graduate. She has had a cochlear implant since 2009 after which she received auditory skills training. Karen was director of the Board of Auditory-Verbal International Inc., and was honored by Maclean’s magazine as one of the top 100 young Canadians.