School-aged children with mild bilateral and unilateral hearing loss: parents' experiences

Approximately 50% of children first identified with hearing loss present with mild bilateral and unilateral hearing loss (MUHL), but little is known about their functioning in the school years. The purpose of this study was to examine caregivers' perceptions of their child's functioning and needs at school age. This qualitative inquiry was a follow-up to interviews conducted following the diagnosis of MUHL. Seventeen of the original 20 caregivers participated in this study. The median age of the children at the time of the interviews was 1.0 (8.7-10.7) years. Results represent parents' experiences in four key areas: (a) the challenge of transition, (b) the impact of hearing loss on functional outcomes, (c) the challenges of MUHL, including concerns about "falling through the cracks" and low expectations, and (d) the importance of advocacy. Parents indicated that while their child may not need as much direct support as children with more severe hearing loss, as parents, they still need support and guidance to navigate the educational system. These findings provide valuable insight into parents' perspectives, contribute to our understanding of the impact of MUHL on educational outcomes and highlight the need to ensure that these children are not overlooked.