May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month (NSLHM), a time to raise awareness about communication and hearing health, and to honor the professionals, families, and individuals who make listening and spoken language possible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
As part of this celebration, AG Bell is proud to highlight our commitment to language accessibility at the 2025 Global Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Virtual Symposium, taking place June 25–26, 2025. This year’s Symposium will be offered in multiple languages, ensuring professionals and families around the world can participate fully.
Don’t wait–Register today!
Reminder: June 10 is the last day to request your preferred spoken language for translation or captioning.
Early Intervention
Resources to Help You Get Started
Whether you’re just beginning your journey or seeking support along the way, AG Bell offers trusted resources to help you every step of the way.
Getting Started Guide
Download our First Steps: A Guide for Families of Children with Hearing Loss to learn what to expect and how to take action early.
Parent Support Hotline & Chats
Have questions? You’re not alone. Connect directly with AG Bell’s Parent Consultant through our Parent Support Hotline or join a Parent Chat to hear from and speak with others on a similar journey.
Evidence-Based Resources for Professionals
AG Bell supports professionals around the world with research-informed tools to enhance practice and outcomes for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Annotated Bibliography of Key Research
Explore a curated collection of peer-reviewed studies and evidence-based practices supporting listening and spoken language development. Ideal for clinicians, educators, and researchers.
Upcoming Symposium Highlights
Join us at the AG Bell Global Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Symposium on June 25–26, 2025, for inspiring sessions that bridge research and real-life impact. Don’t miss out–Register today!
Promoting Spoken Language in Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Presenter: Evelyn Dirks, Ph.D.
Discover how the strength of the parent-child interaction plays a central role in fostering spoken language development.
Wednesday, June 25 at 8:00 am ET
Listening to Parents: Qualitative Research in AVT
Presenters: Elizabeth Rosenzwieg, Hillary Ganek, Jonathan Jolivette, Madison Tessler
Gain insight into parents’ lived experiences in Auditory-Verbal Therapy and how it shapes service delivery and support.
Wednesday, June 25 at 9:15 am ET
Youth Programs
Programs to Get Involved
When you are looking to build leadership skills, confidence, and friendships that last a lifetime, AG Bell has programs for you.
Growing Self-Determination and Self-Advocacy Skills
Check out AG Bell’s latest feature article about self-determination and self-advocacy in Exceptional Parent Magazine!
The Learning Experience and Adventure Program (LEAP)
LEAP offers the opportunity for middle schoolers to connect with other students who are deaf or hard of hearing and use Listening and Spoken Language to communicate, virtually!
Leadership Opportunities for Teens (LOFT)
LOFT is a program for high school students who are deaf and hard of hearing use listening and spoken language as their primary mode of communication. This five-day sleepaway experience helps teens strengthen skills in individual leadership, teamwork, group dynamics, public speaking, and self-advocacy.
Upcoming Symposium Highlights
Join us at the AG Bell Global Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Symposium on June 25–26, 2025, for inspiring sessions that bridge research and real-life impact. Don’t miss out–Register today!
Getting Connected: One Rural District’s Journey & Motivation: Help Make Self-Advocacy Work
Presenter: Alexandria Mestres
Follow the inspiring story of a rural district’s efforts to connect students and foster self-advocacy skills that last a lifetime.
Thursday, June 26 at 12:15 pm ET
Building Self-Determination and Classroom Community through Literature
Presenters: Emily Snow, Britt Coffey
See how educators are using literature to build inclusive classrooms and empower students who are deaf or hard of hearing to thrive with confidence.
Wednesday, June 25 at 2:15 pm ET
School-Age Resources
Resources for Parents and Professionals
These resources can help parents and professionals make the most out of clasroom time.
PARENT RESOURCE
Optimizing Hearing in the Classroom
Learn strategies to minimize noise and create a classroom environment that optimizes hearing and encourages student success.
PARENT RESOURCE
Is Your Child Ready to Independently Navigate Acoustic Environments?
As children with hearing loss grow, so does their need to learn independently. Read on for key areas students should master to ensure success in different acoustic environments.
Upcoming Symposium Highlights
Join us at the AG Bell Global Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Symposium on June 25–26, 2025, for inspiring sessions that bridge research and real-life impact. Don’t miss out–Register today!
Read Up! The Science of Reading and LSL
Presenter: Maria Hartman, Elaine Smolen
Successful reading begins with a strong foundation in listening and language. This presentation will cover Chall’s Stages of Reading Development and new evidence from the Science of Reading.
Wednesday, June 25 at 11:00 am ET
Supporting School-Age Students in Educational Settings
Presenters: Julianna Wanek, Sandy Bowen
This presentation will explore auditory-verbal (AV) strategies for students who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) using Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) in general education classrooms and supported by teachers of the deaf.
Thursday, June 26 at 9:15 am ET
College and Beyond with Hearing Loss
Resources
These resources can help parents and professionals make the most out of clasroom time.
PARENT RESOURCE
A Parent’s Perspective: Raising Two Children with Hearing Loss
Hear from a parent of two hard-of-hearing teens about their journey and success in using Listening and Spoken Language.
PARENT RESOURCE
The Simmons Family Journey
The Simmons family is speaking at the AG Bell Global Listening and Spoken Language Virtual Symposium in June 2025. They will talk about navigating life with disabilities, how to be an advocate, and empowering others to embrace their unique stories. This is their journey.
Addressing Global Shortages in Professional Expertise and Expanding Reach
The root of many global challenges is a shortage of professionals with specialized skills and expertise to administer services to young children with hearing loss and guide families at each stage of care from early identification to habilitation. Learn how GFCHL is working to change that.
Confessions of a deafBlind Audiologist: My Journey
Presenters: Dr. Jasmine Simmons, LLC
Join this inspiring Lunch and Listen Session with Dr. Jasmine Simmons, a deafBlind audiologist and children’s book author. Hear her firsthand account of navigating professional and personal challenges, overcoming trials, and embracing self-advocacy and resilience to transform her life despite multiple disabilities.
Thursday, June 26 at 1:30 pm ET
