Parental Distress: The Initial Phase of Hearing Aid and Cochlear Implant Fitting

Abstract

The results of previous cross-section studies suggest that childhood hearing impairment may lead to parental psychosocial stress. The present study investigated whether modifications in parental psychic state can be ascertained in connection with the child's treatment events and the child's hearing and speech status, in a prospective study design. Data were available on 116 fathers and mothers regarding the pre—cochlear implant examination or hearing aid fitting of their child. In the course of the child's treatment, parental quality of life improved from a low to a normal level. Among children who were at the stage of pre-examination for a cochlear implant, better hearing and speech capacity was linked to more severe impairment of the parental state. It is emphasized that the parents whose children showed comparatively good language development at the time of pre-examination for a cochlear implant were especially subjected to stress.

Family Quality of Life Following Early Identification of Deafness

“…Jackson and Turnbull (2004) synthesized the literature on the effects of deafness across multiple domains or areas of family quality of life, including emotional well-being, family interaction, parenting, physical well-being, and supports for special needs. Historically, the available literature highlights the potential impacts of deafness across various aspects of family life, including parental stress (Burger et al, 2005;Hintermair, 2000), decision making (Calderon & Greenberg, 1999;MeadowOrlans, Mertens, Sass-Lehrer, & Scott-Olson, 1997), family interactions (Bodner-Johnson, 1991;Evans, 1995;Freeman, Dieterich, & Rak, 2002;Kashyap, 1986), and social networks (Gregory, Bishop, & Shelton, 1995). Quittner, Steck, and Rouiller (1991) examined parental stress and adjustment, comparing the stress levels of 96 mothers of children with hearing loss to those of a control group of mothers of children with typical hearing.…”

“…Burger et al (2005) studied the stress levels and perceived quality of life of 91 parents of children in Germany who were deaf. All families reported heightened stress levels and diminished quality of life shortly after diagnosis (6-8 weeks) based on their responses on a stress survey and the Everyday Life Questionnaire (Bullinger, Kirchberger, & Steinbuchel, 1993).…”

Everyday problems and stress faced by parents of children with cochlear implants.

“…Several studies revealed that parents' psychological distress levels differ at various points in time over the course of the implanted child's treatment (Perold, 2001;Purdy et al, 1995;Quittner et al, 1991;Richter, Spahn, Zschocke, Leuchter, Laszig, & Lohle, 2000;Spahn et al, 2003), with peaks noted when receiving information about the implant, during the presurgery examination, during surgery, and during the first appointment to adjust the implant (Burger et al, 2005;Spahn, Richter, Zschocke, Löhle, & Wirsching, 2001). Nevertheless, inconsistent research results have emerged regarding whether parents' stress decreased postoperatively (Incesulu, Vural, & Erkam, 2003;Quittner et al, 1991;Richter et al, 2000;Weisel, Most, & Michael, 2007).…”

Does parental experience of the diagnosis and intervention process differ for children with auditory neuropathy?

“…The time immediately after the diagnosis is perceived as the most stressful for parents with the diagnosis of a childhood disability [30]. A marked relief however is experienced at the time of intervention, for example with hearing aid fitting and/or a cochlear implantation [30].…”

“…A marked relief however is experienced at the time of intervention, for example with hearing aid fitting and/or a cochlear implantation [30]. Parents of children with ANSD may experience this more acutely after the range of uncertainties during the diagnostic process.…”