And when the client is the baby? Particularities of the phonoaudiologic intervention on hearing impaired babies

Abstract

The implementation of hearing screening at birth, is causing a number of newborn babies to be referred to diagnosis and intervention in the first months of life. As a consequence the phonoaudiologist faces a new client: the baby. The goal of the present study was to discuss issues involved in the hearing impaired babies therapeutic process, outlining the complexity of development in the first years of life, particularly in the process of mothers and babies getting to know each other. Through data obtained in a group of mothers of babies, the interview of a mother of a hearing impaired baby and the interview of two phonoaudiologists, peculiarities of this new client were described as well as techniques involved in intervention and adaptation of hearing aids. It became clear the need for a better preparation of the professional as observer due to the subtleties of babies behaviors, in an effort not to interfere in healthy and natural development.