Abstract
BackgroundThe absence of best practice guidelines on informational counselling, has caused lack of clarity regarding the information audiologists should provide to parents and caregivers following the diagnosis of a hearing loss. Research shows that informational counselling provided by audiologists is limited and often biased, with little evidence of how parents experience this service.ObjectivesTo explore the nature and practice of informational counselling by audiologists.MethodThis study was descriptive in nature and adopted a survey design to obtain information on the current practices of informational counselling from the perspective of parents and primary caregivers. Ninety-seven face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted across KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis using Nvivo software were conducted.ResultsThe majority of the parents reported receiving some form of informational counselling. However, the information provided by audiologists was considered to be biased as it included a favoured communication option, school and rehabilitative technology. There was a lack of information related to aural rehabilitation and family-centred intervention. The provision of all communication options, school options and rehabilitative technology were identified as gaps that contribute to an unfavourable decision-making process.ConclusionThere are inefficiencies experienced by families of deaf and hard of hearing children during informational counselling. However, this understanding, together with the identified gaps by parents, can help address the professional response to caring for families with deaf and hard of hearing children.
Highlights
It is reported that 90% – 92% of children who are deaf are born to hearing parents who have little or no experience of deafness (Mitchell & Karchmer, 2004; National Deaf Children’s Society, 2015)
Parents rely on professionals to provide them with information about the intervention options that are available for their child (American Speech and Hearing Association [ASHA], 2008; Gilliver, Ching, & Sjahalam-King, 2013; Tye-Murray, 2019) and this process is conducted through informational counselling
It has become common practice for audiologists to filter a substantial amount of information, which they should present to parents during informational counselling (ASHA, 2008)
Summary
It is reported that 90% – 92% of children who are deaf are born to hearing parents who have little or no experience of deafness (Mitchell & Karchmer, 2004; National Deaf Children’s Society, 2015). Parents rely on professionals to provide them with information about the intervention options that are available for their child (American Speech and Hearing Association [ASHA], 2008; Gilliver, Ching, & Sjahalam-King, 2013; Tye-Murray, 2019) and this process is conducted through informational counselling. Audiologists need to provide families with information that will assist them in the decision-making process; this is often a challenge. It has become common practice for audiologists to filter a substantial amount of information, which they should present to parents during informational counselling (ASHA, 2008). Research shows that informational counselling provided by audiologists is limited and often biased, with little evidence of how parents experience this service
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