Detection of hearing impairment in early childhood.

The parents of 21 hearing-impaired children (hearing loss greater than or equal to dB HL for the average of 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz) volunteered to participate in the present investigation. This was performed in order to clarify who first suspects the hearing impairment; to describe some of the signs arousing suspicion of hearing dysfunction; describe some of the psychological problems encountered by parents of hearing-impaired children. An extensive questionnaire formed the basis for a personal follow-up interview, which was tape-recorded for further evaluation. In 57%, family members were the first to suspect the hearing impairment. In only 29% did systematic hearing screening by the BOEL-test detect the children. The signs and signals from the child arousing parental suspicion of hearing impairment are related to the child's behaviour patterns. It was found that most parents are acquainted with children's motoric and language development, but have a superficial knowledge of normal perceptual development. In order to improve the early detection, it is proposed to strengthen the non-professional screening resources present in the general population. In order to reduce the parents feeling of grief and anxiety, it is proposed that psychologists cooperate with physicians within the audiological units and support the parents in their recognition and acceptance of their child's handicap. Thereby can be obtained an improved treatment of the 'hearing-impaired family'.