Helen Grech
Communication Therapy
Institute of Health Care
University of Malta

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this paper is to evaluate modes of communication applied to facilitate language acquisition in hearing impaired children in Malta and Gozo. The success of approaches used in the past is evaluated and possible detrimental factors identified. Three crucial factors facilitate verbal language acquisition in the hearing impaired: early intervention, consistent and appropriate amplification and parental guidance and counselling. Clinical research data indicates that when these factors are met spoken language acquisition in hearing impaired children usually occurs within normal expectations of hearing age though there may be a slight delay in terms of chronological age. Results of structured interviews with parents of hearing impaired individuals and educators indicate that such factors are not usually met in the Maltese Islands. Nevertheless, findings of this study favour more success with achieving spoken language through the auditory-oral approach than with the application of Total Communication. The trend for more success with the auditory-oral approach than with Total Communication is also apparent for acquired literacy skills. It is recommended that the components of the auditory-oral habilitation programme be strengthened locally.