Parent-mediated Intervention Improves Communication Outcomes for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

Early communication outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing children improve significantly when parents are equipped with strategies to support language development, according to a research article published in the June 2025 Pediatrics (published online May 27). The study, “Early Communication Intervention for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Toddlers: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” followed 94 families across the United States with children ages 12 to 18 months diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss. Families were randomly assigned to one of two groups: one that received weekly virtual coaching sessions for six months and one that did not. When parents received coaching, they successfully learned to use strategies to support their child’s development. As a result, children made meaningful gains in communication, especially when parents paired the strategies they learned with signs. The authors conclude that parent-mediated intervention delivered virtually is a feasible and effective approach for supporting early communication development in deaf and hard of hearing children.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.