Parental Response to the Medical Ambiguities of Congenital Deafness

Abstract

Interviews with parents of deaf children are analyzed, illustrating events leading to the diagnosis and treatment of profound congenital deafness. Three successive stages of this process are identified, each of which is punctuated by ambiguous elements related to the nature of congenital deafness. Specifically, it is noted that this condition is invisible, usually irreversible, often has a non-specific etiology, and is a relatively unique medical event. While the parent, standing loco infantis vis-a-vis the physician, expects an immediate diagnosis, followed by an ameliorative prescription for treatment and firm etiological information, this is often impossible. The resulting strain for the parents and delay in treatment for the child have serious consequences for both. It is suggested that the data have theoretical implications for the study of the doctors patient relationship, demonstrating that a simple role model is inadequate. Theoretical under. standing of social interaction and practical understanding leading to better human outcomes of the diagnostic process both demand a multi-dimensional approach to the study of behavior in the medical setting.