Listening and Spoken Language Therapy for Children With Hearing Loss: A Practical Auditory-Based Guide, Second Edition

Sylvia Rotfleisch, Maura Martindale

Details: 352 pages, Full Colour, Softcover, 7" x 10"

ISBN13: 978-1-63550-783-6

Publication Date: 19/03/2026

This graduate-level textbook and reference for practicing clinicians offers a comprehensive and practical framework for providing auditory-based Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) therapy to children with hearing loss. Grounded in research and shaped by classroom and clinical experience, the book equips professionals with the strategies, developmental models, and family-centred tools needed to guide children from their first responses to sound through advanced communication skills. The framework is applicable across the disciplines of speech-language pathology, audiology, and deaf education, as well as a wide range of therapy settings, including university clinics, private practice, and schools.

The second edition of Listening and Spoken Language Therapy for Children with Hearing Loss integrates new research, updated clinical instruments, and enhanced resources to support both teaching and practice.

New to the Second Edition

• Expanded Speech Acoustics chapter with updated rainbow audiogram graphics, additional tables, and advanced audiological and acoustic concepts
• Initial publication of the Screening Auditory Discrimination Assessment (SADA) 
• Child-centred goal writing is a focus that begins in the assessment chapter with a new case study and is subsequently integrated into each developmental stage chapter
• Updated research studies and clinical tools reflecting current best practices
• QR codes that lead to key websites and resources for students, instructors, and professionals

Additions to the expanded PluralPlus companion website include

• Suggested in-class activities for on-campus, online, and hybrid instruction 
• Ready-to-share parent handouts with clear, accessible explanations of key topics 

Key Features

• A “stages-not-ages” framework that aligns therapy with developmental progress rather than chronological age
• A color-coding system for the model and a consistent presentation of content and tables provide clarity and a streamlined experience
• Abundant strategies, dialogues, and session scripts and videos for immediate clinical application for stages
• Extensive tables, figures, and case histories to support assessment, goal setting, and lesson planning
• Consistent use of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) for clarity in speech instruction

PluralPlus Online Ancillaries

For Instructors:

• Instructional PowerPoint Slides Covering Chapter Content
• Test Bank and Answer Key
• Videos and Case Studies with Guidance for Instructional Implementation
• Class Activities
• Discussion Questions

For Students:

• Videos on Content and Stages & Guiding Questions
• Downloadable Content: Tables, Figures, eFlashcards, Parent Handouts, Work Sheets
• Links to Related Organizations, Assessments, Activities, Resources

Reviews

“The text presents an excellent blend of both foundational theoretical information and highly practical information and resources. Key concepts are effectively illustrated through creative analogies, figures, and case studies. I think it’s a must-own resource for listening and spoken language practitioners and students.”
—Courtney Turner, AuD, CCC-A, PASC, Pediatric Audiologist, The Children’s Center for Communication and Development, The University of Southern Mississippi

“This text is like a recipe book on speech acoustics principles providing the professional with step-by-step instructions of how to best support a family who has chosen the listening and spoken language route for their child. It lists key points, including terms and definitions, at the beginning of every chapter highlighting for the reader the most important information within the text.  The book also acts as a roadmap helping to determine the efficacy of a child’s listening experiences and use of hearing technology at home and/or school, outlining how to monitor expected and interrelated developmental stages in the areas of listening, language, speech, and cognition. Being given techniques on how to examine diagnostic information gathered to create a family-centered and/or an individual student plan, improve learning and teaching, and empowering the parents and child are a framework every professional in the field must have.“
—Angela Stokes, MEd, LSLS Cert AVEd, Director, Instruction and Teacher Development of the Master’s and Education Specialist Program in Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH, Mount Saint Mary’s University/John Tracy Center

“This textbook is well-organized, featuring a logical progression from foundational principles to clinical applications within a developmental framework based on “stages not ages” for auditory-based therapy.  …The color-coded models, expanded visuals, and ready-to-use handouts improve clarity and usability.   …Case histories transform abstract concepts into real-world examples and help readers understand how therapy strategies are applied in practice. The detailed analysis enables the readers to understand the decision-making process, including how goals are set, adapted, and evaluated over time.   Readers can use these examples to model their own therapy sessions, using similar techniques, language prompts, and parent coaching strategies."
—Karen Schwartz, AuD, CCC-A, Assistant Professor, Director of Audiology Services, Touro University

“I really appreciated the tables, figures, case studies, and links to resources. This text is well organized with consistent themes/information throughout; a great guidebook for the classroom and the clinic.”
—Kaitlyn Rippy, AuD, CCC-A, Clinical Assistant Professor, Western Kentucky University

“Great foundation of speech acoustics, the impact of noise, the 6dB rule, and rainbow audiogram.  Very useable tables and images! … Wonderful way to apply stages as opposed to ages and to realize that some children may have lower expressive language skills than their auditory skills.  I think also the discussion of coaching and encouraging families while being open to the changes in feelings and emotions of families is imperative as well.”
—Joanna Stith, PhD, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT, Therapist and CEO, Listening for Life, Adjunct Professor, University of Colorado Boulder

“The case studies in Chapters 6–11 were a standout feature. They effectively synthesized the material and provided real-life scenarios, along with practical tips for implementation. …Each chapter was clearly organized with key points and a concise summary, which made the content more digestible and user-friendly.”
—Katie Stone, MS, CCC-A, Assistant Teaching Professor, Brigham Young University

“I like the use of analogies and concrete examples that will help students with the conceptualization of terms throughout the text. The discussions questions incorporated family centered care and cultural considerations.  They also helped build critical thinking skills. The lists of assessment and therapy ideas were thorough and informative, especially for new student clinicians. An emphasis on building listening skills to promote speech, language and cognitive development.”
—Cindy Sendor, MA, CCC-SLP, Assistant Professor, California Baptist University 

“This book is really well organized. I like that it starts with the basics of acoustics and counseling considerations, then goes into therapy starting from birth and grows with the child.  …The book has excellent examples, graphs and figures to supplement material. This was very helpful as a reader and a nice reference for future use.”
—Kristi Oeding, AuD, PhD, Associate Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato