Which approach is recommended to promote language development for infants with significant hearing loss?

Which approach is recommended to promote language development for infants with significant hearing loss?

• A. Immediately starting to use sign language with the child.
• B. Relying solely on spoken language with no visual input.
• C. Waiting until the child babbles before introducing signs.
• D. Avoiding sign language to encourage speechreading.

Answer: (A)

Providing infants with significant hearing loss with early access to language through multiple modalities is essential. Starting sign language right away gives a reliable visual avenue for communication, helping the child learn vocabulary and grammar and reducing frustration for both child and family. This approach complements spoken language development rather than blocking it, and many families successfully use a bilingual-bimodal approach (sign language plus spoken language) to support overall language, literacy, and social skills. Relying solely on spoken language with no visual input can leave gaps in access to language when hearing is limited, delaying development. Waiting until the child babbles before introducing signs delays important communication opportunities. Avoiding sign language to encourage speechreading misses the benefit of having a robust visual language to support language growth and does not guarantee faster spoken language.

Providing infants with significant hearing loss with early access to language through multiple modalities is essential. Starting sign language right away gives a reliable visual avenue for communication, helping the child learn vocabulary and grammar and reducing frustration for both child and family. This approach complements spoken language development rather than blocking it, and many families successfully use a bilingual-bimodal approach (sign language plus spoken language) to support overall language, literacy, and social skills.

Relying solely on spoken language with no visual input can leave gaps in access to language when hearing is limited, delaying development. Waiting until the child babbles before introducing signs delays important communication opportunities. Avoiding sign language to encourage speechreading misses the benefit of having a robust visual language to support language growth and does not guarantee faster spoken language.