The parents' perspective of the early diagnostic period of their child with hearing loss: information and support.
This study aimed to explore the perspectives of caregivers regarding the information and support they received following diagnosis of their child's hearing loss.



A mixed methods explanatory sequential design was conducted.



A total of 445 caregivers of children completed a written survey, and five parents participated in qualitative in-depth interviews.



The most common sources of information for caregivers were discussion with an audiologist, written information, and discussion with a medical professional. Approximately 85% of caregivers reported they were satisfied with the personal/emotional support and information received from service providers. Additional comments from 91 caregivers indicated that 11% experienced a breakdown in information transfer with health professionals. Interviews conducted with five parents from three families revealed two themes which described the diagnostic period as a difficult and emotional experience for parents: (1) support and information provided during diagnosis: what happens first? and (2) accessing early intervention services following a diagnosis of hearing loss: navigating the maze.



The findings of this study give insight into the perspectives of caregivers who have a child diagnosed with hearing loss. The importance of providing timely information and personal/emotional support to caregivers cannot be underestimated.
a School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia.|b The HEARing CRC , Melbourne , Australia , and.
Nerina
N
Scarinci
a School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia.|b The HEARing CRC , Melbourne , Australia , and.
Ennur
E
Erbasi
a School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Australia.
Emily
E
Moore
b The HEARing CRC , Melbourne , Australia , and.|c National Acoustic Laboratories , Sydney , Australia.
Teresa Y C
TYC
Ching
c National Acoustic Laboratories , Sydney , Australia.
Vivienne
V
Marnane
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001315:Australia; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D061345:Early Medical Intervention / Q000379:methods*; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D058015:Health Communication; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006309:Hearing; D006310:Hearing Aids; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D019986:Persons with Hearing Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support
Paediatric; cochlear implant; hearing aids; psycho-social/emotional