The Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind (MSDB) Outreach Program offers statewide support to private and public education programs across Montana. Serving as a resource center, the program provides information and consultation to parents, schools, and professionals working with children who are low vision, blind, hard of hearing, Deaf, or deafblind. With a focus on collaboration and specialized knowledge, the MSDB Deaf and Hard-of- Hearing Outreach team works to ensure students with hearing loss and/or Deafness receive the support they need to succeed in home, community and education environments. This session offers an overview of hearing loss—how it presents and practical ways to support individuals in everyday situations. It also highlights the critical role early intervention and language development play in promoting social-emotional well-being. Learner Objectives - Participants will learn the first steps in working with a student who has a hearing loss or is Deaf. Participants will learn and experience some of the basic Hearing Assistance Technology (HAT) that are offered Participants will experience and understand how a hearing loss impacts and creates a challenge for learning Participants will learn some basic accommodations for students and their importance Participants will learn what the various communication modes (Bilingual/Bimodal, Total Communication, Listening and Spoken Language) for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students are and why there is not a “one size fits all” approach for this population of students. Participants will learn and understand the importance of language development in a childs’ life.