Sound Start Babies offers families an opportunity to ensure that their home listening environment is optimal through the use of our LENA (Language Environment Analysis) technology. The LENA system includes a specialized digital language processor (DLP) worn in the pocket of your child’s LENA t-shirt. The DLP collects and analyzes audio data such as how many words your child hears each day, how many words or sounds your child uses, and how many conversational exchanges occur. Research has shown that your baby needs to hear 30,000 words (not from TV or radio) each day for optimal development. The back-and-forth verbal interactions you have with your child are the most important and this technology is able to capture them.
In addition, LENA technology identifies background noise that may be impeding your child’s listening experience. Based on information drawn from LENA, we provide individualized suggestions and strategies, using COMPASS, our family coaching program. LENA technology is another way that Sound Start Babies ensures your baby has the best opportunities to learn, listen and speak.
The use of LENA technology is just one way the Sound Start Babies goes above and beyond standard early intervention for babies with hearing loss. Parents value the new perspective that this technology can provide. “The LENA Compass project has definitely helped us in many ways. It has promoted positive efforts in our daily lives even when it was not being recorded.” – Sound Start Babies Parent
LENA assessment and consultation is also available to families who are not enrolled in Sound Start Babies. Please contact Kayley Mayer for further information.
