Understanding American Sign Language and Spoken English in Young Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

American Sign Language and Spoken English Development of Young Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11126074

This research looks at existing information to understand how deaf and hard of hearing children learn American Sign Language and spoken English.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11126074 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Caregivers of deaf and hard of hearing children often wonder whether to focus on American Sign Language, spoken English, or both, to help their child develop language skills. This project aims to provide clear guidance by analyzing a large collection of data on how these children learn and grow. We want to understand how different ways of communicating affect a child's language abilities over time. By looking at existing information, we hope to create a clearer picture of what to expect for language development.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research focuses on data from young deaf and hard of hearing children, from birth through early childhood, who have used various communication methods.

Not a fit: Patients who are not deaf or hard of hearing, or who are adults, would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: This work could help caregivers and professionals make more informed decisions about the best communication approaches for deaf and hard of hearing children, leading to better language outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Currently, comprehensive natural history data on language development across different communication modes for deaf and hard of hearing children is limited, making this a novel and much-needed effort.

Where this research is happening

Nashville, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.