Auditory verbal therapy (AVT) is a special type of therapy that helps teach an individual with hearing loss to effectively use sound provided by a hearing aid or a cochlear implant to communicate verbally. AVT encourages you to listen actively and communicate using spoken language. Rather than being drill-based, like some other forms of speech therapy, AVT uses more natural, conversational speech style.

AVT uses any residual hearing you have and encourages you to learn to listen actively. Close family involvement is critical to the success of this specialized therapy. AVT is generally most effective when hearing loss is detected and diagnosed early, and treatment can begin at a young age.

Who is a Candidate?

If you are deaf or have any degree of hearing loss, you may be a candidate for AVT.

What to Expect

AVT helps children or adults with hearing problems learn to communicate in a normal hearing environment. This therapy involves family and stresses naturalistic conversation, encouraging the individual to use spoken language to communicate. AVT uses the residual hearing that you have – amplified with a hearing aid or cochlear implant – to help you learn to detect sound in the environment naturally and communicate using speech. AVT teaches children and adults with hearing loss to listen to their own voices, often leading to a more natural sounding speech pattern.

Why Choose UHealth?

Ranked No. 28 in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report. The ranking reflects the team’s dedication to excellence in research patient care and outcomes. Surgeons, audiologists, biomedical engineers, speech pathologists, researchers, and psychologists collaborate with many research programs at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine to deliver the best possible multidisciplinary care to pediatric and adult ear, nose, and throat patients.

World-renowned for our expertise in treating voice conditions. We serve the local community of South Florida, as well as referrals from around the country and Latin America. We promote vocal health education, research, and comprehensive transitional rehabilitation programs through our Vocal Health Collaborative and partnerships with both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and the Adrienne Arsht Center of the Performing Arts.