title: Parents' reactions and recommendations after diagnosis and hearing aid fitting.
abstract: This study was designed to explore parent reactions to the early stages of audiologic assessment and intervention. A total of 213 parents whose children were under the age of 6 years returned a mail survey. Respondents from 45 states participated. Parents were asked to (1) report the approximate age of diagnosis and hearing aid fitting; (2) comment on reasons for any delays encountered from diagnosis to fitting; and (3) respond to questions concerning their reactions to the initial fitting of amplification. The median age of identification was earlier than some previous investigations; however, substantial delays occurred between diagnosis and hearing aid fitting. Reasons for delay included the need for further audiologic evaluation, problems obtaining return appointments, illness of the child, and difficulties obtaining adequate earmolds. Parent reactions to hearing aids, once fitted, included concerns about appearance and questions about maintenance and use, but attitudes regarding hearing aids and their perceived benefits improved over time.
authors.affiliation: Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill 27599-7190, USA. ssjoblad@med.unc.edu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sjoblad
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roush
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: McWilliam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D012494:Sampling Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires