Listen and Talk

11/28/2025

💙 The Power of Monthly Giving 💙
This season, we’re celebrating how small monthly gifts make a big impact. A donation of just $25/month adds up to $300/year — and that consistency truly matters.

A gift at this level can easily cover critical, smaller, or recurring supply needs. In our Birth to Three Program, this could cover the purchase of a new hot spot or tablet stand for a family in the program to access virtual services.

Our Birth to Three providers serve families with both in-person and virtual services all over the state.

🌟 Start a recurring donation today! https://listenandtalk.org/donate/the-sound-of-giving/

11/26/2025

AG Bell is once again partnering with Camp Westwind to reserve 10 spots in their summer camp program for kids ages 7-14 years old who are deaf/hard of hearing. See the flyer and link below for more details!

Longing for summer already? Then check out our summer camp session for DHH kids and teens at Camp Westwind! Registration opens soon! A great holiday gift idea!
Fill out this form for more info: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfMU0Q8-yIrqOfagN2c1XwUkvXj95_0WWV6SNFFm5WmgXjlXA/viewform

Spots fill up fast!

11/26/2025

🌟 The Big Sounds and the Little Sounds🌟

Every sound helps shape a toddler's world - from loud moments at the playground to the quiet voice of a parent reading before bedtime. Early and consistent access to sound is critical when teaching listening and spoken language.

At Listen and Talk, providers in our Birth to Three program coach families to be their child’s best teacher, support developmental growth, and build confidence — all with a flexible approach that adjusts with life’s ups and downs.

🎥 Video Feature of the Week:
Meet an almost–three-year-old who confidently shares about her hearing technology and how it helps her hear both the big and little sounds that shape her day.

Your support helps make moments like these possible.
💙 Join us in The Sound of Giving:
https://listenandtalk.org/donate/the-sound-of-giving

11/22/2025

🌟 Listening & Spoken Language (LSL) Strategy Spotlight: Auditory Sandwich

What it is:
Information is presented through listening before the introduction of visual or other support information is given to a child. When visual information is needed to assist in comprehension, the information is then put back into the auditory only presentation.

What to do:
1. Auditory input is given first to ensure the focus is on listening to gain meaning
2. Visual/tactile input is added, when appropriate (may be eye gaze, pointing, showing a toy, etc.)
3. Auditory input is repeated again without the visual input

Why it matters:
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing need to learn to trust their hearing and rely on auditory input to learn spoken language. The auditory sandwich encourages comprehension and communication through the child’s auditory abilities.

11/19/2025

💙 Happening Tomorrow! 💙

Hey Listen and Talk families — Birth to Three, Blended Classroom, Outreach, and Alumni — this one’s for you!

We’re kicking off our very first Parent Advisory Council Information Gathering Meeting — and we want your voice to be part of it!

Virtually join other parents, share your thoughts and ideas, and help us dream up what’s next for our amazing community.

🗓 When: Thursday, November 20 | 11:30–12:30 PM (virtual meeting)
👉 RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelFoCyRZxxfgGorfhV7BdQLj5SOK3M_t2-CKo9E5RMfMdY2A/viewform

11/19/2025

"She is confident, happy, and won’t stop talking.” - Adeline's family, alumni

Over the last week, we’ve been sharing about Microtia/Atresia, Unilateral Hearing Loss (UHL), and how a Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) education can be a powerful educational approach for children with all types of hearing loss.

Adeline, who has UHL and Microtia/Atresia, was supported by Listen and Talk from birth through preschool. You’d never guess that when she was younger, she rarely communicated outside of her safe spaces. Today, as a first grader, she’s bubbly, confident, and chatting nonstop—something her family attributes to the support she received at Listen and Talk.

LSL programs are designed to optimize the listening environment and teaching strategies to ensure the child with UHL receives clear, meaningful auditory input. Key benefits include:
• Auditory Skill Development
• Strategic Seating and Listening
• Use of Technology
• Addressing Language Delays

Read more about Adeline, UHL, and LSL on our blog. https://listenandtalk.org/microtia-atresia-and-the-power-of-listening-and-spoken-language-education/

11/14/2025

🌟 Listening & Spoken Language (LSL) Strategy Spotlight: Auditory First

What it is:
An attitude as well as a set of conditions that will enable the child to have better access to speech and language

What to do:
🔹 Ensure hearing technology is working optimally.
🔹 Ensure the hearing technology is worn during all waking hours.
🔹 Present auditory input BEFORE visual.

Why it matters:
A child with early and consistent access to meaningful auditory input will have better outcomes in auditory based communication.

11/11/2025

This Veterans Day, we take a moment to honor and celebrate the remarkable veterans connected to our Listen and Talk community—fathers, grandfathers, and spouses who have served with pride and dedication.

These photos, ranging from 1954 to the mid 2000s, highlight service across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

We are deeply grateful for the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Thank you for your service. ❤️💙

11/11/2025

🎉 New Blog Post Alert!

Yesterday was Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day! 💙 Did you know that many individuals with these conditions experience Unilateral Hearing Loss (UHL)?

UHL is often minimized or misunderstood — but for many children, it can bring real challenges in everyday listening situations. At Listen and Talk, we use Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) strategies to help students build the skills they need to navigate difficult listening scenarios.

Read all about it on our latest blog post: https://listenandtalk.org/microtia-atresia-and-the-power-of-listening-and-spoken-language-education/

Listen and Talk is a specialized listening and spoken language program for children who are deaf and hard of hearing.

11/09/2025

Today is National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day!
This year marks a decade of raising awareness about this rare condition.

What are Microtia and Atresia?
Microtia and Atresia are congenital conditions where the outer ear or ear canal doesn’t fully develop, which can cause conductive hearing loss. The condition can affect one or both ears.

At Listen and Talk, we’re proud to support children with Microtia and Atresia as they learn to listen and communicate with spoken language. With the help of amazing technology—like bone conduction sound processors—sound can reach the inner ear by gently vibrating through the skull, bypassing the middle ear altogether.

How incredible is that? 🌟