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The Sound Steps Podcast

The Sound Steps Podcast

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Coming 1 October 2025…

What if you could hear, in real time, how a child who is deaf or hard of hearing learns to listen, talk, and thrive?

I’m Shefali Shah, LSLS Cert. AVT®, and this is The Sound Steps Podcast: Conversations in Auditory-Verbal Therapy. Together, we’ll explore how families use Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) to support children with hearing loss in developing spoken language, clear speech, and confidence, one sound step at a time.

From a baby’s first babble to a teenager’s quick wit, each conversation reveals the art and science of spoken language development, helping children with hearing impairment develop fluent spoken language, clear speech, and confidence, one sound step at a time.

💡 Hear practical tips you can use today.

💬 Learn from the voices of parents who’ve been where you are.

🎧 Experience the joy, the struggles, and the triumphs of enjoying the world of sound.

New episodes drop on the 1st and 16th of every month.

Follow now, and take your first sound step toward a wonderfully bright future, for your deaf or hard of hearing child and for you.

The Sound Steps Podcast

2025
Épisodes
  • 6: Sparking Conversation in the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child

    6: Sparking Conversation in the Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child
    Sep 16 2025
    Welcome to The Sound Steps Podcast: Conversations in Auditory-Verbal Therapy, exploring fluent spoken language development, conversational competence, clear speech, and age-appropriate development, in children who are deaf or hard of hearing, through the transformative power of listening and parent-centred Auditory-Verbal Therapy, one sound step at a time Conversation is at the heart of human connection, spontaneous, unplanned, and deeply nurturing. In this sixth episode, Shefali Shah invites us to introspect on what truly constitutes a heart-to-heart conversation with your child with hearing loss, not just chatter, but a reciprocal, emotional and verbal exchange. In warm and candid dialogue with two mothers of children with cochlear implants, Sheena Kurian and Ratnaa Binu, coached by Shefali Shah, discover how to stay spontaneous and suspend correction. Together they explore how to reshape their style of interaction with their young child with hearing loss, as they experience first-hand the thrill of creating space for natural spoken language development and communication to emerge and flourish. They unpack how techniques in Auditory-Verbal Therapy such as Modelling and Waiting not only support spoken language development , but also nurture the very soul of conversation, shared attention, trust, and joy. This episode offers practical insights and celebrates those precious moments of connection with your child with hearing loss that arise beyond expectation. This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎯 Top Tips from Episode 6 Conversation is a spontaneous heart-to-heart exchange. The topic emerges naturally, and the flow is kept alive as long as both partners remain engaged. Keep the conversation going. Corrections and interruptions disrupt the rhythm and may silence a child’s attempt to contribute. Use Modelling to guide gently. Modelling allows you to enrich your child’s language without breaking conversational flow. Conversation is not a lesson. Stay spontaneous. You’re not testing your child — you’re partnering with them. Listen for communicative intent. Respond with reassurance. It’s the intent to connect that fuels language growth. Waiting gives space for thought and expression. Wait intentionally. Your child needs time to process, feel, and contribute meaningfully. Suspend judgement. Approach every exchange as an equal partner — not a disruptor. Experience the unexpected! True conversation invites surprises. Enjoy where your child leads you. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction to this episode 00:00:05 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:00:21 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:00:27 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification. 00:01:00 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:01:17 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:01:51 A life free of limitations 00:02:00 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps 00:02:10 Links and contact details 00:02:17 Resources on this topic 00:02:19 Auditory-Verbal Techniques 00:02:39 Auditory-Verbal Techniques: Sabotage 00:03:03 Modelling 00:03:33 Quick review of the highlights of Episode 5. 00:04:09 Introducing the topic 00:04:25 Introducing our guest in this episode: Sheena Kurian 00:04:53 Engaging your child in conversation 00:05:19 What constitutes a Conversation 00:05:43 Conversation is spontaneous 00:06:05 Content 00:06:22 Interruption and correction 00:06:39 Modelling 00:07:27 Keeping the conversation going 00:07:57 Do daily routines constitute Conversation? 00:08:06 Transactional Vs heart-to-heart exchanges 00:08:49 Conversation starters 00:09:31 Conversation is not a lesson 00:10:08 Conversations have no agenda. 00:10:28 How to stay spontaneous 00:11:13 Captivating your child’s imagination 00:12:20 Adopting an open ended style of engagement 00:13:05 Listen for intent 00:14:52 Introducing our second guest: Ratnaa Binu 00:14:28 Suspend criticism 00:15:17 Living the moment together with your child 00:18:27 Achieving the unexpected 00:19:00 Thought for reflection 00:19:47 Our next episode: The Magic of the Wait Cue 🔗 Links: 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://learnavt.com/podcast-ask-question 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk 📘 Resources: Estabrooks, W., Morrison, H., and MacIver-Lux, (2020). Auditory-Verbal Therapy: Science, Research and Practice, Plural Publishing.Suskind, D. (2015),Thirty Million Words: Building a Child’s Brain, Dutton. https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/videos/how-to-5-steps-for-brain-building-serve-and-return/ (2019)Center on the Developing Child (Harvard University). “Serve and Return.” https://developingchild.harvard.edu
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    21 min
  • 5: Warren Estabrooks Auditory-Verbal Therapy

    5: Warren Estabrooks Auditory-Verbal Therapy
    Sep 16 2025
    Welcome to The Sound Steps Podcast: Conversations in Auditory-Verbal Therapy, exploring fluent spoken language, conversational competence, clear speech, and age-appropriate development, in children who are deaf or hard of hearing, through the transformative power of listening and parent-centred Auditory-Verbal Therapy, one sound step at a time. In Episode 5, Shefali Shah and Warren Estabrooks share a spontaneous, in-depth conversation about how children who are deaf or hard of hearing learn to develop conversation. With warmth, expertise and the knowledge that optimal access to all the sounds of speech is essential for the development of conversation, they explore the science and art of Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) through evidence-based AV practice. This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎧Top Tips from Episode 5 Conversation is both the means and the end goal. Use Conversation to develop Conversational Competence. Children learn to listen in Conversation. Auditory-Verbal Therapy pre-supposes optimal auditory access. In order for deaf or hard of hearing children to listen and talk, they must hear clearly across the speech spectrum. Auditory-Verbal Therapy is both a Science and an art. AVT must be based on the Science of audiology, speech acoustics and child development. The style of the individual therapist in delivering AVT, represents the art of it. Demonstrate success. Seeing results is hugely motivating. Draw on typical development. Use the developmental milestones in children with typical hearing, especially for children with additional challenges.·Suprises are key. Preserve the element of surprise for both parent and child in your practice. 3 Dimensional Conversation: (Morrison, H.,) Quality input Provide an enriched input. Guide Conversation in every day situations. Purposeful responses from both parent and child and other participating adults Use the OWL strategy (Hanen Centre) Train the non-verbal power of Observation in parents Wait: This is a powerful AV Technique·Act out a scenario: Create stories to hold attention Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:10 Introducing our guest: Warren Estabrooks 00:01:54 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:02:03 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:02:37 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:03:00 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:03:32 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification 00:03:43 A life free of limitations 00:03:48 Show notes, Top tips and Time Stamps 00:03:58 Links and contact details 00:04:06 AV Techniques 00:04:22 AV Technique: Modelling 00:05:00 Resources on this topic 00:05:25 Using Conversation to develop Conversational Competence 00:09:00 Optimal auditory access is critical for AVT 00:09:32 Pioneers of AVT 00:10:46 Doubt 00:11:06 Demonstrate success 00:11:20 The role of development in children with typical hearing 00:11:49 Engaging with young children: Parentese 00:13.41 Modelling 00:14:12 The Learning to Listen Sounds 00:14:42 Actualising therapy targets through Conversation 00:15: 53 Preserve the element of surprise 00:16:43 Children learn to listen in the context of Conversation 00:16:54 Three Dimensional Conversation: Quality input/Guide Conversation/Respond with purpose (Morrison, H.,) 00:17:28 Centre on the developing Child: Harvard University 00:18:38 Resist testing children 00:19:10 The Hanen Centre: OWL Strategy 00:20:48 Expansion and Recasting to refine grammar and expand vocabulary 00:21:12 Automaticity 00:21:40 Staying natural 00:23:17 Pace of learning 00:24:25 Diagnostics 00:25:41 The AV Technique: Wait Cue 00:28:11 Giving parents an “in” into the Conversation 00:28:55 Handing over to parent 00:29:32 Create stories 00:29:40 The Wait Cue 00:31:25 The gaze and Trust 00:32:18 Inviting participation 00:33:10 The freedom of choice 00:34:03 Reflection 00:34:30 Upcoming episode: Sparking Conversation 🔗 Links: 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://learnavt.com/podcast-ask-question 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com 🎓 Train online as an LSL professional in AVT: https://learnavt.com 📧 Contact Shefali directly: shefalishah@soundsteps.uk 📘 Resources: Estabrooks, W., Morrison, H.M., MacIver-Lux, K., (2020) Auditory‑Verbal Therapy: Science, Research and Practice, Plural Publishing Inc, San Diego, CAEstabrooks, W., MacIver-Lux, K., & Rhoades, E. A. (Eds.). (2016) Auditory‑Verbal Therapy for Young Children with Hearing Loss and Their Families, and the Practitioners Who Guide Them, Plural Publishing Inc, San Diego, CAEstabrooks has also authored several foundational works, including The ABC’s of AVT, The Baby Is Listening, and 50 FAQs About AVT Center on the Developing Child (Harvard University)...
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    35 min
  • 4: Are We Pre-Judging our Deaf or Hard of Hearing Toddlers

    4: Are We Pre-Judging our Deaf or Hard of Hearing Toddlers
    Sep 16 2025
    Welcome to The Sound Steps Podcast: Conversations in Auditory-Verbal Therapy, exploring fluent spoken language development, conversational competence, clear speech, and age-appropriate development, in children who are deaf or hard of hearing, through the transformative power of listening and parent-centred Auditory-Verbal Therapy, one sound step at a time. In this fourth episode, Shefali Shah invites you to reflect on why we sometimes limit the nature and depth of our engagement with our deaf or hard of hearing toddler and the repercussions of the assumptions we make about what she can or cannot understand, on her spoken language development. When we pre‑judge our toddler’s ability, we unintentionally withhold the very language, stimulation, and interaction she needs to learn and thrive. In conversation with Rashi Sanghi, mother of a bi-lateral cochlear implant recipient, in the early days of Auditory-Verbal Therapy, Shefali Shah guides, coaches, and reshapes her approach to spoken language development in her child with hearing loss, revisiting real moments of daily interaction. Together, they rework these situations to restore variety and richness, using the techniques of Auditory-Verbal Therapy such as Sabotage and Modelling to accelerate the development of both receptive and expressive spoken language. Toddler development tells us that young children are constantly telling and showing us what they've understood and whether they are ready to move on. Are we observant enough to trust them? This is The Sound Steps Podcast. 🎧 Top Tips from Episode 4 Bring abundance, variety and richness of experiences into every day. This positions your child to build new connections in language and thinking. Observe your child and trust her. Resist pre-judging your child. Observe and analyse your child’s reactions and responses while you engage her. Use sabotage wisely. Intentional interruption invites natural language use and sustains attention. Keep Modelling. This accelerates the development of receptive and expressive language in your deaf or hard of hearing toddler. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Introduction to this episode 00:01:03 Choosing Auditory-Verbal Therapy for your deaf or hard of hearing child 00:01:20 Introducing this episode 00:01:35 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents 00:01:41 AVT facilitates age-appropriate development 00:02:43 Abundant choices open up through AVT 00:03:07 Early identification and the fitting of early and optimal amplification. 00:03:15 A life free of limitations 00:03:24 Show notes,Top tips and Time Stamps 00:03:33Links and contact details 00:03:42 Resources on this topic 00:03:47 Introducing our guest: Rashi Sanghi 00:04:30 The Sound Steps Podcast is rooted in the real-life experiences of Sound Steps’ families 00:04:40 AV Techniques 00 :04:58: AV Technique: Sabotage 00:05:21: AV Technique: Modelling 00:05:52 Do we have preconceived notions about what our toddler can or will understand 00:6:11 Explaining to our child through books 00:06:21 Hesitating 00:06:41 Doubt 00:06:58 How to determine readiness 00:07:07 Preparation 00:07:11 Can one ever know the readiness of another? 00:07:27 Trust your child 00:07:57 Holding off on pre-judging the other 00:08:09 Offer our child a banquet of experiences and spoken language opportunities 00:08:20 Abundance, Variety and Richness 00:08:33 Steady progress 00:09:36 Appreciating the other 00:10:00 Using the language of emotion and appreciation 00:10:20 Sufficiency of experiences 00:10:37 Bringing sufficiency into Follow-up 00:10:52 Generalisation 00:11:01 Sufficiency of experience generates a strong foundation with which to create 00:11:33 Creating new connections in language development 00:12:47 Modelling 00:13:10 Sabotage 00:13:44 Understanding that using one’s voice fulfils my needs. 00:14:58 Typical development in 21+ month olds 00:15:30 The need for generalisation 00:16:31 Bringing in the richness of linguistic experiences 00:16:40 Let’s not pre-judge 00:17:09 Lay out a diet of enriched language experiences 00:17:17 Encourage your child to show you what she wants to learn. 00:17:34 Using Sabotage to support the development of expressive language 00:18:52 Engage but also observe and analyse 00:19:36 The value of Generalisation. 00:20:20 Neural plasticity 00:20:45 Allow your child to demonstrate what she is ready to absorb 00:21:34 Steer engagement based on your child’s readiness and willingness as demonstrated 00:22:05Context conveys meaning 00:22:40 Let’s not put our children on a diet 00:22:47 Offer a feast 00:23:00 Reflection 00:23:35 Our next episode features a celebrity guest: Warren Estabrooks 🔗 Links: 💬 Submit your question to the show: https://learnavt.com/podcast-ask-question 👩‍⚕️ Face-to-face AVT with Shefali Shah (London): https://soundsteps.uk 🌐 Online AVT sessions available via AVT Direct: https://avtdirect.com 🎓 Train online as an ...
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    24 min
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