Parental views on informational counselling provided by audiologists for children with permanent childhood hearing loss

Abstract

Background: The absence of best practice guidelines on informational counselling, has caused lack of clarity regarding the information audiologists should provide to parents and caregivers following the diagnosis of a hearing loss. Research shows that informational counselling provided by audiologists is limited and often biased, with little evidence of how parents experience this service.Objectives: To explore the nature and practice of informational counselling by audiologists.Method: This study was descriptive in nature and adopted a survey design to obtain information on the current practices of informational counselling from the perspective of parents and primary caregivers. Ninety-seven face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted across KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis using Nvivo software were conducted.Results: The majority of the parents reported receiving some form of informational counselling. However, the information provided by audiologists was considered to be biased as it included a favoured communication option, school and rehabilitative technology. There was a lack of information related to aural rehabilitation and family-centred intervention. The provision of all communication options, school options and rehabilitative technology were identified as gaps that contribute to an unfavourable decision-making process.Conclusion: There are inefficiencies experienced by families of deaf and hard of hearing children during informational counselling. However, this understanding, together with the identified gaps by parents, can help address the professional response to caring for families with deaf and hard of hearing children.

Patient’s perceptions of presbycusis and associated tinnitus counselling practices within the KwaZulu-Natal province

“…Shezi and Joseph’s ( 2021 ) findings on the inefficiency of counselling are corroborated in this study. This study asserts that audiologists therefore need to include improved information exchange during counselling to ensure that patients can confidently apply and participate in informed decision-making during the rehabilitation process (Shezi & Joseph, 2021 ). This will improve the perceived benefit of counselling offered by audiologists to patients.…”

“…Similar studies in medicine revealed patients’ experiences of inefficiency from adjustment counselling because of follow-up dialogue, rushed time or lack of follow-up sessions, which this study suggests being similar practice within KZN (Walseth, Abildsnes, & Schei, 2011 ). These insufficiencies have been noted in previous audiological research conducted in South Africa, revealing that audiologists’ inefficiency of counselling was because of audiologist bias, lack of information provided to patients and turning a deaf ear to the individual needs of the patient (Shezi & Joseph, 2021 ). Shezi and Joseph’s ( 2021 ) findings on the inefficiency of counselling are corroborated in this study.…”

“…These insufficiencies have been noted in previous audiological research conducted in South Africa, revealing that audiologists’ inefficiency of counselling was because of audiologist bias, lack of information provided to patients and turning a deaf ear to the individual needs of the patient (Shezi & Joseph, 2021 ). Shezi and Joseph’s ( 2021 ) findings on the inefficiency of counselling are corroborated in this study. This study asserts that audiologists therefore need to include improved information exchange during counselling to ensure that patients can confidently apply and participate in informed decision-making during the rehabilitation process (Shezi & Joseph, 2021 ).…”

“…It is speculated that this may be attributed to some insufficiencies of providing information during informational counselling in terms of information that is exchanged or the manner in which information is exchanged. Research has revealed that insufficiencies during informational counselling can infringe upon a patient’s decision-making (Shezi & Joseph, 2021 ). Therefore, audiologists need to utilise counselling strategies to ensure that information provided is understood and internalised for patient’s informed decision-making (Shezi & Joseph, 2021 ).…”

“…Research has revealed that insufficiencies during informational counselling can infringe upon a patient’s decision-making (Shezi & Joseph, 2021 ). Therefore, audiologists need to utilise counselling strategies to ensure that information provided is understood and internalised for patient’s informed decision-making (Shezi & Joseph, 2021 ). Apart from informational counselling, the BSA ( 2016 ) described adjustment counselling as exploring the patient’s experiences and identifying the conflicts and emotions they go through to deal with the diagnosis.…”