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Published on: January 23, 2017
Universal newborn hearing screening: parental reflections on very early audiological management
Wendy McCracken1, Alys Young, Helen Tattersall
1University of Manchester, School of Psychological Sciences, Human Communication and Deafness, Manchester, United Kingdom. wendy.mccracken@manchester.ac.uk
Objective:
This article seeks to understand very early audiological management from a parental perspective, after the early identification of their child's hearing loss through universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS).
Design:
Data are taken from the national evaluation of the introduction of UNHS in England. Forty-five parents and caregivers participated in a qualitative, narrative study within which they identified key challenges generated by the audiological management of very young babies with hearing loss at home.
Results:
Concern centered on the virtual timetable constructed by parents after screening, the practical daily management issues and the need to establish infant rather than a child focus in audiological practice. In addition, specific challenges relating to moderate hearing loss were identified.
Conclusions:
Results are of particular relevance to pediatric audiologists, teachers of the deaf and those offering early intervention services.
