The Power of Audiobooks in Helping Kids with Hearing Loss
For many children, listening to stories is a fundamental part of learning and development. But for children with hearing loss, accessing the full richness of spoken language can be more challenging.
That’s why The Shepherd Centre is collaborating with Audible Australia to provide greater listening opportunities for children with hearing loss, helping them develop crucial listening and language skills.
Supporting Children with Hearing Loss Through Storytelling
Hearing loss affects approximately 1 in 1,000 children at birth. By school age, that number increases to 2 in 1,000.
This can impact vocabulary development, as children with hearing loss may not always hear every word spoken around them. Listening skills are essential for language acquisition, and audiobooks can provide an invaluable tool to support this process.
Recognising the importance of accessible listening experiences, Audible Australia has generously provided The Shepherd Centre with 12-month Audible gift memberships for children with hearing loss and their families. This initiative ensures these children have access to a vast library of audiobooks, helping them strengthen their language skills and enjoy the magic of storytelling.
Why Audiobooks Matter
According to Dr Aleisha Davis, CEO of The Shepherd Centre, listening plays a key role in language development.
“The auditory cortex is most active when a child listens and reads. Strengthening listening skills can significantly improve a child’s ability to process spoken language in everyday situations,” Dr Davis explains. “For children with hearing loss, exposure to audiobooks can provide an accessible and engaging way to build vocabulary, comprehension, and confidence.”
The rise of digital media also means that learning through listening is becoming increasingly important.
With many hearing devices now allowing direct streaming from apps like Audible, children with hearing loss have more opportunities than ever to immerse themselves in stories, practice listening skills, and foster independence.
Audible’s Commitment to Accessibility
Leanne Cartwright-Bradford, Head of APAC at Audible, highlights the broader impact of audiobooks for children with hearing loss.
“We understand the transformative power of storytelling and the important role audiobooks play in inspiring children to listen, imagine, and create,” she says. “Audiobooks bring huge value to children and adults alike, helping listeners expand their vocabularies and deepen their understanding of language. We’re thrilled to support The Shepherd Centre in providing meaningful listening experiences to children with hearing loss.”
