Communication is key: at-risk families' perspectives on follow-up in New Jersey's early hearing detection and
Wendy Zeitlin1, Maryrose McInerney2, Gita Balser2
1Social Work and Child Advocacy, Montclair State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Montclair, USA.
Insights
Families with multiple marginalized identities face barriers to timely audiological follow-up for infants. Clearer communication and support are needed to prevent developmental delays in children with hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Health Equity
- Social Work in Healthcare
Background:
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs aim for universal infant hearing screening and treatment.
- Timely follow-up is crucial to prevent language, social, cognitive, and academic delays in children with hearing loss.
- Infants from families with multiple marginalized identities are disproportionately at risk for delayed or lost follow-up care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore barriers to audiological follow-up care for at-risk families in New Jersey.
- To identify factors contributing to delayed or lost audiological care in infants.
- To inform strategies for improving access to essential audiological services.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing thematic analysis.
- Exploration of audiological care barriers in at-risk families.
- Focus on experiences within New Jersey's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs.
Main Results:
- Communication practices can inadvertently normalize failed hearing screenings.
- Parents require more comprehensive and clearer information regarding audiological care.
- Systemic and environmental factors create significant barriers to consistent follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Health care social workers are uniquely positioned to address barriers to audiological care.
- Integrated social work practice can improve access to services for marginalized families.
- Addressing these barriers promotes health equity and supports child development.
Abstract:
Babies whose families possess multiple marginalized identities are at-risk for being late or lost to follow-up although there is a universal effort to screen and treat hearing loss in babies as part of state Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs. Lack of timely follow-up puts young children at risk for delays in language acquisition, social skills, cognitive development, and school success. This qualitative study explored barriers to follow-up audiological care in at-risk families in New Jersey. Using thematic analysis, this research uncovered two major findings: 1) communication normalizes failed screenings, and 2) parents need clearer and more in-depth information. Health care social workers are well-suited to address these challenges due to their training in integrated social work practice, which can help them understand the complex interplay between individuals and their environments. In doing so social workers can improve access to needed services and promote health equity.
