Family quality of life following early identification of deafness.
OBJECTIVE
Family members' perceptions of their quality of life were examined following early identification of deafness in children.


METHODS
A questionnaire was used to solicit ratings of satisfaction from the family members of 207 children who were deaf and younger than 6 years of age.


RESULTS
Results indicated that families were generally satisfied with the areas of family life surveyed. Descriptive analysis suggested lower satisfaction ratings in the area of emotional well-being. Families also reported that their child's deafness had the largest impact on their emotional well-being. Family members of children using oral communication with a cochlear implant reported higher satisfaction with their child's speech production and perception outcomes than family members of children using hearing aids alone.


CONCLUSIONS
We recommend that service providers and early hearing detection and intervention program coordinators consider additional supports for family well-being following the early identification of deafness in children.
Jackson
Carla W
CW
Florida State University, Communication Disorders, 109 Regional Rehabilitation Center, Tallahassee, FL 32309, USA. cjackson3@fsu.edu
Wegner
Jane R
JR
Turnbull
Ann P
AP
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States