Early, family-centered intervention gives a baby’s “listening brain” the best chance to thrive.
The first three years of life are critical for auditory brain development—the foundation for learning spoken language. After age three, and especially beyond age five, the brain’s ability to easily acquire language begins to slow.
Acting quickly after a failed screen turns precious months of worry into months of language growth.
At Spokane HOPE, our Birth-to-3 program supports families from the moment of diagnosis, walking alongside them—whether their baby uses hearing aids, may need a cochlear implant, communicates through sign language, or a combination of approaches.
Our certified Teachers of the Deaf and Speech-Language Pathologists:
Learn about our Birth-to-Three program in this interview with the Spokane Health District.
“I can't say enough good things about Spokane HOPE School. I have had firsthand experience with the incredible impact of both their educational and SLP services, and it’s truly life-changing. The staff is not only highly trained and professional, but they are also deeply compassionate and committed to every child’s success.
The combination of high-quality early education and individualized speech therapy made a huge difference for us. The progress I’ve seen is remarkable — not just in communication skills, but in confidence and social development too. Spokane HOPE understands how to support children with hearing loss and communication challenges in a way that is empowering, respectful, and effective.
I’m so grateful for everything they’ve done for our family. If you’re looking for a place where your child will be seen, supported, and set up to thrive, I highly recommend Spokane HOPE.”
Newborn hearing screening is now nearly universal in the United States. Over 98% of babies have their hearing screened before leaving the hospital, leading to the early identification of permanent hearing loss in approximately 1 to 2 out of every 1,000 newborns.
Most U.S. babies get their first hearing check before leaving the hospital. The national Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) 1-3-6 Timeline provides a path for families with infant hearing loss.
For families and caregivers who choose to focus on teaching their child to listen and speak with technology such as cochlear implants, hearing aids, or BAHAs (bone-anchored hearing aid), Spokane HOPE is the only center in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho dedicated to providing specialized Listening and Spoken Language education and support for children who can benefit from these services.
Studies show that early-aided babies get more “auditory hours,” a key predictor of vocabulary at age 3. For those with severe hearing loss, cochlear implantation before the first birthday yields better language than waiting until toddlerhood. (PubMed)
If your newborn receives a referral from the doctor regarding the possibility of hearing loss—contact Spokane HOPE right away. Within weeks, we support your family’s connection to early intervention services, as well as your local ENT and audiologist, to ensure timely and coordinated care. This keeps your child on the 1-3-6 path and gives their listening brain its best start.
Every child’s journey is unique, but here’s a typical timeline from diagnosis through early intervention.
A clear diagnosis of hearing loss should be confirmed no later than 3 months of age. In fact, soft pediatric hearing aids can be safely fitted as early as 6 weeks old, giving your baby’s brain immediate access to sound. (PubMed)
At Spokane HOPE, we begin helping as soon as a referral is made. We partner with trusted pediatric audiologists, who will program your baby’s hearing technology based on their specific hearing thresholds. While devices are being ordered or prepared, HOPE begins parent coaching right away—because every minute of conversation helps your baby’s brain build language.
Our goal is for children to wear their hearing aids at all waking hours. According to research from HearingFirst.org, “Studies suggest children learn to listen and talk best when hearing devices are on and working for at least 10 hours daily”.
HOPE staff helps educate parents on a wide variety of ways to keep the hearing aids on and achieve the full day wear time such as with clips and pilot caps.
We track progress; if severe loss limits benefit, the cochlear implant talk begins around 6–9 months. Early implantation (10–12 m) yields better speech scores than waiting until age 2 or 3 (PubMed). HOPE arranges imaging, insurance, and ENT consults, keeping the decision—and the timeline—in your hands.
Activation day is magic: new frequencies, new reactions. We intensify listening practice, moving from LMH (Ling Madell Hewitt) 10 sounds test sounds to first words, and lean on infant-directed “parentese,” proven to grab the child’s attention and boost word learning in babies with aids or implants (PMC). Shared songs and peek-a-boo, keep therapy fun.
Vocabulary explodes from single words to mini-sentences. HOPE walks hand-in-hand with parents/caregivers to educate them on routine-based activities that grow their child’s language skills. From book reading, to singing songs, we build on the child’s language and listening skills, so they are able to express their wants and needs. At this age, children should be using between 900 and 1,000 words (ASHA, 2023)—a milestone that HOPE helps them reach through specialized early intervention services.
Around 2.5 years of age, we begin planning for the transition from the Birth-to-3 program to preschool services by their third birthday.
Note: Parents often feel mixed emotions at this milestone – proud of how far their child has come, and nervous about “what’s next” – but you won’t be alone. We celebrate your child’s achievements together and equip you with knowledge to continue being their strongest advocate.
At Spokane HOPE, we use a parent-coaching model. Our Teachers of the Deaf and Speech-Language Pathologists partner with caregivers to guide and coach them in becoming the primary facilitators of their child’s language development. Through active and consistent participation, parents learn to confidently incorporate therapy strategies into everyday routines—precisely when babies’ brains are most receptive to learning.
Evidence shows that parent-led hearing-technology management and language routines drive the strongest speech outcomes in young children with hearing loss.
Daily listening checks using tools like the Ling 6 Sounds, pilot caps, headbands and quick battery swaps keep hearing technology or CI processors on all waking hours.
The more hours your child wears their hearing technology, the better their vocabulary and speech skills will be by age 3.
Every missed hour means missed chances for their brain to learn through listening. The goal is for the child to wear their hearing technology all waking hours.
We coach you to point out environmental sounds such as doorbells, airplanes, dog’s barking, rain falling —and to speak in melodic “parentese.”
Infants with aids or implants prefer and learn more from infant-directed speech than adult talk, boosting early word learning.
Simple board books on your lap build connection, vocabulary and language.
Shared reading time is linked to later success in reading skills for deaf and hard-of-hearing children; teaching parents interactive techniques is what makes the difference.
Nursery rhymes, clapping games, and lullabies highlight pitch and rhythm cues that help babies begin to decode spoken language—and they’re fun.
Build your knowledge and confidence in explaining your child’s hearing loss to friends and family, so that they understand the importance of keeping devices on and following accommodations.
Consistent, informed advocacy turns early gains into lifelong communication success. (PubMed)
The moment your child is officially diagnosed deaf or hard-of-hearing, we’re ready to help.
Our certified Teachers of the Deaf will be on your living room floor, guiding you from that first “refer” result all the way to a chatty three-year-old who will be in class alongside their hearing peers.
YES, REALLY!
We can schedule your free home visit within days, handle ESIT enrollment, and coordinate with your audiologist so you can focus on cuddles, not paperwork. Early intervention is the greatest gift for your baby’s listening brain—let’s unwrap it together.