Incorporating Informational Counseling in Treatment for Individuals With Hearing Loss and Their Families

Speech, language, and hearing professionals provide informational counseling for individuals with hearing loss to facilitate success in a variety of settings. The focus and content of the information change throughout the life of the individual from initial diagnosis through young adulthood. These shifts, guided by speech-language pathologists in collaboration with professionals from multiple disciplines who work with this population, can help to maximize a successful life trajectory. This article provides a practical framework of relevant content for professionals to consider when providing informational counseling for families of children with hearing loss from infancy through young adulthood. Practical resources and suggestions for addressing this population at various stages of life are provided.