1: You are not Alone Parenting a Child Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Update: 2025-09-16
Description
Welcome to The Sound Steps Podcast: Conversations in Auditory-Verbal Therapy, exploring fluent spoken language development, conversational competence, clear speech, and age-appropriate development, in children who are deaf or hard of hearing, through the transformative power of listening and parent-centred Auditory-Verbal Therapy, one sound step at a time.
Your perfect world has just been upended by a diagnosis you never expected: your newborn has a hearing loss.
In this opening episode, host Shefali Shah, LSLS Cert. AVT, speaks with mothers of children who are deaf or hard hearing at Sound Steps, who share their early struggles. Brave enough to speak about the wretchedness of those early days, they now celebrate their child’s forthcoming graduation from early intervention, having achieved spoken language development well ahead of age. Each of them chose Auditory-Verbal Therapy, to open up the world of sound and spoken language development for their child, free from the limitations that hearing loss imposes, when not effectively managed.
In openhearted, in-person conversations with Shefali Shah, a globally recognised LSLS Cert. AVT professional, they retrace their journey of pain, confusion, loneliness and exhaustion as they discover a clear path to a future of abundance, shaped by informed choice and intentional action.
Though each journey was different, their stories echo one truth: with early and appropriate support, parents of children with hearing impairment can guide their child toward a future full of opportunity.
You’ve taken the first step by identifying your child’s hearing loss early. Now listen in and penetrate the loneliness to emerge an enthusiastic, energised, committed parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
This is The Sound Steps Podcast.
🎧 Top Tips from Episode 1
Your perfect world has just been upended by a diagnosis you never expected: your newborn has a hearing loss.
In this opening episode, host Shefali Shah, LSLS Cert. AVT, speaks with mothers of children who are deaf or hard hearing at Sound Steps, who share their early struggles. Brave enough to speak about the wretchedness of those early days, they now celebrate their child’s forthcoming graduation from early intervention, having achieved spoken language development well ahead of age. Each of them chose Auditory-Verbal Therapy, to open up the world of sound and spoken language development for their child, free from the limitations that hearing loss imposes, when not effectively managed.
In openhearted, in-person conversations with Shefali Shah, a globally recognised LSLS Cert. AVT professional, they retrace their journey of pain, confusion, loneliness and exhaustion as they discover a clear path to a future of abundance, shaped by informed choice and intentional action.
Though each journey was different, their stories echo one truth: with early and appropriate support, parents of children with hearing impairment can guide their child toward a future full of opportunity.
You’ve taken the first step by identifying your child’s hearing loss early. Now listen in and penetrate the loneliness to emerge an enthusiastic, energised, committed parent of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
This is The Sound Steps Podcast.
🎧 Top Tips from Episode 1
- Decide how you wish to raise your child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
Choose wisely. Make an informed choice and be guided by the knowledge, experience, and skills of professionals you trust.
Act. The only way to dispel the early loneliness is to move forward.
Know this: the loneliness will pass.- Auditory-Verbal Therapy opens up a life of rich, meaningful opportunity : for your child and for you.
Time Stamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:09 The Auditory-Verbal journey begins
00:01:30 Identification of hearing loss and confirmed diagnosis
00:01:48 Special thanks to our guests: Priyanka Mahapatra, Pradnya Madhbhavi, and Megha Mawandia
00:02:23 Show notes, Top Tips Time Stamps
00:02:34 Links and contact details
00:02:49 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents
00:03:30 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development
00:03:50 Abundant choices open up through AVT
00:04:17 Early identification, sophisticated hearing technology & appropriate services
00:04:28 A life free of limitations
00:04:38 Diagnosis through newborn hearing screening
00:04:58 Creating a route map; making informed decisions
00:05:17 Choosing how to raise your child and who to work with
00:05:50 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy
00:06:50 Addressing loneliness and helplessness in the early days
00:10:40 Commencing Auditory-Verbal Therapy
00:11:14 Navigating the emotional differences between partners
00:14:48 Family dynamics, reflection, and growth
00:16:40 Support, gratitude, and transformation
00:18:23 Family support
00:20:17 Support at school
00:21:52 Your child is unique
00:23:38 Build your team
00:23:44 You are not alone
00:24:08 Reflection
00:24:49 Upcoming episode: My Dad!
🔗 Links:
- 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://www.soundsteps.uk/podcast-ask-question/
- 👩⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk
- 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com
- 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com
- 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk
📘 Resources:
- Luterman, D., (2006), Children With Hearing Loss: A Family Guide, Auricle Ink Pub.
- Luterman, D., (2002), When your Child is Deaf,: A Guide for Parents, York Press
- Luterman, D., (1999), The Young Deaf Child, York Press
- Goring, M.B., (2013), The Cycle of Love and Grief in Parents of Children with Special Needs
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