Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine parents’ perceptions of the information that they received from professionals regarding communication opportunities and, in addition, parents’ interpretations of whether the information obtained was unbiased in order to make an informed choice for their child and family. The researcher designed an electronic survey and it was distributed to several executive directors of hearing loss organizations across the United States to then distribute to parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The survey included Likert-type and open-ended questions to investigate various factors that might have influenced which communication option/approach parents chose for their child. Results of the study indicated that children are being identified as having a hearing loss incredibly early and then subsequently, getting technology early, if parents choose to implement it. The results also found that parents felt that professionals provided them with information that covered a range of options that was also unbiased. Lastly, most of the parents who participated in this study chose to implement Listening and Spoken Language with their child and indicated that their goals for their child’s communication was for them to communicate through talking and listening.

Advisor

Goldberg, Donald

Department

Communication Studies

Disciplines

Speech Pathology and Audiology

Keywords

communication options for children with hearing loss, pediatric hearing loss, parental decisions, early hearing loss identification

Publication Date

2018

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2018 Hannah G. Kiser