For children with hearing loss to benefit from therapy, therapists have to ensure their parents receive complete and relevant information from the child's initial diagnosis through young adulthood.

Two University of Arkansas faculty members in communication disorders and a former student recently published a practical framework of relevant content to assist practitioners. The article, "Incorporating Informational Counseling in Treatment for Individuals With Hearing Loss and Their Families," appears in the August issue of one of the special interest group journals published by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Authors are Rachel Glade, clinical assistant professor of communication disorders, Lisa Bowers, assistant professor of communication disorders, and Casey Baldwin, a graduate of the bachelor's degree program at U of A now studying for a master's degree at the University of Georgia. Baldwin was a member of the Honors College at U of A.

Speech-language pathologists work with professionals in multiple disciplines to maximize a successful life trajectory for children with hearing loss. Informational counseling must change as a child grows.

"An acronym PATH for each age group was suggested to work from when providing informational counseling for individuals with hearing loss during infancy, preschool age, school age, higher education, and when entering the workforce," the authors wrote. PATH stands for prepare, achieve, team and help. "Professionals who are open to coordinating their services with a variety of disciplines while being empathetic to families and the individual with hearing loss can be an ever-constant source of empowerment and support."