An area of expertise that is fundamental to management of infants with newly diagnosed hearing loss is the ability to work effectively with families. Whether delivering difficult news or working to establish follow up such as hearing aid use, the professional's counseling and collaboration skills are integral to success. Few professionals receive formal training in methods for establishing effective ongoing partnerships with families. The information in this section will describe strategies for counseling and supporting families, techniques for creating and maintaining partnerships, effective listening practices, and strategies for building culturally competent practices.
