Service needs of hearing-impaired children and their families: Report of a survey of parental attitudes

Abstract

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) demands follow-up provision which is family-friendly. The attitudes to service provision in areas of North Wales, UK, were surveyed to highlight the specific needs of young children from a family perspective. Study aims were to identify with parents ways of reducing stress and anxiety by improving support and inter-agency collaboration, and to define a standard of care for audiology services wishing to implement universal newborn hearing screening. Fifty-four families with children 11 years old or younger and a hearing loss of 40 dB (HL) or greater in the better hearing ear were sent a copy of the Medical Research Council questionnaire, ‘Deaf or hearing-impaired children and their families: services provided and quality of life’. Families who completed the questionnaire were invited to participate in a second stage of information gathering, consisting of a semi-structured interview. A number of common themes emerged from the questionnaire and interviews, including support and explanation at the time of diagnosis, language needs and communication, and information. The need to focus on broader social and language support for deaf children and their families is being incorporated into current strategic planning.