Auditory (Re)Habilitation for Adolescents with Hearing Loss

There is a growing realization that many adolescents with hearing loss require special attention. Despite the benefits of early diagnosis, early amplification, and early intervention, some adolescents with hearing loss do not achieve age-equivalent developmental milestones. The purpose of this book is to assist auditory (re)habilitation practitioners in mitigating the negative effects of hearing loss on communicative, socio-emotional, and academic performance of adolescents who rely on auditory-based spoken language to communicate. It is essential that adolescents whose parents chose auditory-based spoken language receive systematic, consistent, well-planned, appropriate auditory (re)habilitation.

In Auditory (Re)Habilitation for Adolescents with Hearing Loss, Jill Duncan, Ellen A. Rhoades, and Elizabeth Fitzpatrick provide practitioners with key milestones considered fundamental to understanding adolescents with hearing loss as well as a pedagogical foundation and general intervention strategies for both planning and direct face-to-face (re)habilitation with adolescents. The authors summarize important issues related to the spoken language development of adolescents, focus on aspects of communication that are functionally relevant to adolescents with hearing loss, and provide strategies for facilitating auditory-based spoken communication skills. They conclude with a discussion of factors influencing auditory (re)habilitation, both in service delivery and outcomes, and provide the application of theory to practice through a demonstration of case studies.

Jill Duncan is an academic in deaf education and auditory-verbal practice. She has held educational leadership positions in Australia and the United States. Her research focuses on adolescents with hearing loss, their families and practitioners who serve them. She has received many national and international awards for innovation and service in the field of deaf education.


Ellen A. Rhoades is an international consultant-lecturer-mentor whose awards include 'Outstanding Auditor-Verbal Clinician of the Year' from Auditory-Verbal International, 'Outstanding Professional of the Year' and 'Outstanding Program of the Year' from AG Bell, and 'Nitchie Award in Human Communications' from the League for the Hard of Hearing. An auditory-verbal therapist for 40+ years, she established and directed four auditory-verbal programs. Due to congenital deafness, she is a bilateral cochlear implantee.


Elizabeth M. Fitzpatrick is an associate professor in audiology and auditory-verbal studies at the University of Ottawa. She worked clinically in auditory (re)habilitation and audiology for more than 25 years, holding positions as audiologist, therapist, and manager. Her research and publications cover the spectrum from infants to adults. She holds a Canadian Institutes of Health Research New Investigator Award.