After his newborn hearing screening Rowan’s family were told that he had a mild hearing loss in one ear but over time his Mum, Ina, became increasingly concerned about his levels of hearing.

More than 18-months later Rowan was diagnosed as deaf in both ears and then when he was two years old his progressive hearing loss was confirmed. At four Rowan is now being assessed for cochlear implant surgery.

Mum Ina said: “I was very concerned about the delay with Rowan’s diagnosis and worried about how it might affect his communication skills. We began researching speech and language therapy and then the team at St Thomas’ Hospital, London, recommended we look into Auditory Verbal therapy.”

Rowan had an initial appointment at Auditory Verbal UK’s centre in Central London. Ina explained: “It was a positive experience from the start. Everything was clearly explained to us, and we left feeling genuinely reassured. Both my partner and I felt hopeful for the first time in a while — that our son would have the chance to develop spoken language and catch up with his hearing peers.”

The family joined the play-based therapy programme in April 2024, when Rowan was 3 years old. “Our therapist’s connection with Rowan was amazing from the beginning, and that strong bond has made such a difference. Starting the family Auditory Verbal therapy programme at AVUK was a turning point for us — it gave us the support, tools, and optimism we needed as a family.”

Supported by AVUK’s bursary scheme, Rowan and his family have been attending fortnightly sessions for more than a year and Ina said: “As parents, we want to give our children the very best start in life, and the bursary has made that possible for us. It’s not just funding therapy sessions — it’s opening up future opportunities for our son. Thanks to this support, Rowan now has a real chance to develop spoken language, gain confidence, and thrive in mainstream settings. We will always be thankful to everyone who donates and supports this scheme — it’s truly life-changing.

“Before finding Auditory Verbal therapy, we felt lost — we didn’t fully understand what Rowan needed or how to best support him. Since starting the therapy programme, everything has changed for the better. I honestly believe Rowan wouldn’t have made the incredible progress he has without this specialist support.

Our therapist has been an essential part of Rowan’s journey. Not only has he built a strong and trusting bond with Rowan, but he has also gone above and beyond to support us as a family. He’s attended Rowan’s Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) annual reviews and contributed with detailed insights into Rowan’s therapy, helping to make sure that both his school and NHS speech therapist are working in line with his specific needs. That kind of collaborative approach has given us confidence that everyone is on the same page and working together to help Rowan succeed.

“As parents, we’ve also learned so much through the Auditory Verbal therapy approach - how to use techniques at home, how to create a listening-rich environment, and how to better advocate for our son’s needs. We have been empowered to take an active role in Rowan’s speech and language development, and that’s something we will always be grateful for.”

A year after beginning the family-centred Auditory Verbal therapy programme at AVUK Rowan has made considerable progress with his listening and spoken language skills and is now speaking both Albanian and English.

Ina said: “What makes AVUK so special is that it isn’t just about speech therapy — it’s an all-round, holistic support system for the entire family. The Family Support team has been an invaluable source of help, guiding us through the process of understanding Rowan’s EHCP, what he is entitled to, and how to advocate for his needs. They have been there for me every step of the way — always approachable, supportive, and empowering.

“We also had the opportunity to take part in the Nurturing Programme, which was an incredible experience. It offered practical training and emotional support, while also giving us the chance to connect with other families who are going through similar journeys. Being part of a community where we could share, learn, and support one another helped us feel less alone and far more equipped to navigate the challenges that come with raising a child with hearing loss.”

Rowan will be starting Reception in September (2025), and we feel that the strong foundation from the therapy programme will support him through his first year at school and beyond. His ability to communicate, engage, and express himself has grown so much.

Ina added: “Auditory Verbal therapy and AVUK have changed our lives. We are so thankful and we feel hopeful for the future and are excited to see what Rowan will achieve next with the continued support.”

Ina, Rowan's Mum