Outcomes of a listening and spoken language approach for individuals with hearing loss from a developing country

Abstract

The high rate of hearing impairment prevalent in South Africa, as well as the dearth of literature on the Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) approach in the context of a developing country, necessitated this study. The purpose of this case study was to document the long-term outcomes of the LSL method used at the Carel du Toit Centre (CDTC) a preschool and primary school based in the Western Cape. A questionnaire completed by thirty-one alumni was used to explore aspects relating to their hearing loss; use of hearing technology; demographic, educational, and background characteristics; and occupation and professional status. The results indicated that the CDTC LSL practice achieved the intended outcomes, with many of the alumni having the opportunity to attend mainstream schools and, through their integration into mainly hearing-living environments, to become independent, participating, and contributing citizens of mainstream society in South Africa. In terms of synthesis and applications, the information in this article helps to fill the gap in the literature concerning longitudinal outcomes for children with hearing impairments through an Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) methodology in the context of a developing country.