Listening and Spoken Language Therapy
If your baby or young child has a hearing loss, early access to sound and specialized therapy can have a profound impact on brain development, communication, literacy, learning, and success in school and beyond. Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) therapy, also known as Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT), helps children who are deaf or hard of hearing learn to listen, talk, and develop spoken language through meaningful access to sound.
At Talk in the Nest, LSL therapy is provided by a speech-language pathologist who is also a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS Cert. AVT). This certification reflects advanced training and expertise in helping infants, toddlers, and children with hearing loss develop listening and spoken language skills.
Whether your child uses hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other hearing technology, we partner closely with families to help children learn through listening, develop spoken language, and communicate confidently.
How Listening & Spoken Language Therapy Works
LSL therapy focuses on helping children make meaning from the sounds they hear and use spoken language to connect with the people around them. Sessions are play-based, engaging, and tailored to your child's developmental level and interests.
Therapy may include:
Listening activities that build auditory awareness and discrimination
"Learn to Listen" sounds paired with play and meaningful experiences
Books, songs, and games that strengthen listening and language skills
Strategies to support speech clarity and spoken language development
Activities that encourage learning through listening during everyday routines
Our goal is to help children develop the listening, speech, language, literacy, and self-advocacy skills they need to thrive at home, in school, and in their communities.
Early Intervention for Babies and Toddlers with Hearing Loss
Research consistently shows that early intervention leads to better language outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Listening and Spoken Language therapy can begin as soon as a child is fit with hearing aids or receives access to sound through hearing technology.
The earlier intervention begins, the more opportunities your child has to build listening and spoken language skills during critical periods of development.
In-home LSL therapy is available throughout Minneapolis, Edina, and the surrounding Twin Cities metro area. Virtual services are available throughout Minnesota and Colorado, through the Listen Foundation network.
Parent Coaching and Family Support
Parents and caregivers are a child's most important teachers. Because children learn language throughout the day—not just during therapy sessions—parent coaching is an essential part of the Listening and Spoken Language approach.
We provide practical guidance and individualized support so you can confidently incorporate listening and spoken language strategies into your family's daily routines.
Parent coaching may include:
Strategies for building listening skills during everyday activities
Techniques for encouraging spoken language development at home
Guidance for supporting early literacy and school readiness
Navigating school-based services, evaluations, and IEPs
Educational advocacy for children who are deaf or hard of hearing
Support during transitions to preschool and elementary school
What Families Can Expect
When children who are deaf or hard of hearing receive specialized support from an LSLS Cert. AVT and speech-language pathologist, families often see:
Stronger listening and auditory skills
Increased use of spoken language in everyday situations
Improved speech clarity and intelligibility
Greater confidence communicating with others
Reduced frustration related to communication challenges
Stronger social connections and participation with peers
Growth in literacy and school-readiness skills
Increased independence and self-advocacy
Greater success at home, school, and in community settings
Every child is unique, but with early access to sound, specialized therapy, and engaged family support, children with hearing loss can develop strong listening and spoken language skills and reach their full potential.