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Identifying hearing loss: parents' needs
1Emerson College, School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Boston, MA, USA.
Insights
Parents of children with hearing loss desire early detection and a comprehensive management program. Key elements include unbiased information, sufficient processing time, and empathetic audiology counseling for optimal outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Universal neonatal hearing screening is rapidly expanding due to mandates and technology.
- Early identification of infant hearing impairment significantly impacts families and audiologists.
- Parental perspectives on early detection and subsequent management are largely unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey parents of children with hearing loss about their experiences with early detection.
- To identify key components of a comprehensive management program from the parental viewpoint.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective survey of 75 parents with children diagnosed with hearing loss.
- A five-item questionnaire assessing parental perspectives on the early detection process and management.
Main Results:
- Parents emphasized the importance of initial parent contact and unbiased information.
- Sufficient time to process complex information was identified as crucial.
- Counseling from a skilled and empathic audiologist was highlighted as a key element.
Conclusions:
- Parental feedback is vital for refining neonatal hearing screening protocols.
- Effective audiology counseling and support are essential for families of infants with hearing loss.
- Professional training should incorporate patient-centered communication and empathy.
Abstract:
Universal neonatal hearing screening programs are being established across the country at a rapidly accelerating rate, prompted by professional endorsement, legislated mandates, and available technology. The subsequent early identification of hearing impairment in infants will have significant impact on families as well as the audiologists who serve them. However, there have been no studies that surveyed parents of children who are deaf and or have hearing loss as to their opinions about early detection of hearing loss and the process that ensues after its detection. Here, we present the results of a retrospective survey of 75 parents whose children have known hearing loss. Their responses to a five-item questionnaire reflect parents' perspectives and identify key elements of a comprehensive management program: parent contact, unbiased information, sufficient time to process complex information, and counseling from a skilled, empathic audiologist. Implications for counseling issues and professional training are also discussed.