Impact of the therapeutic group setting on the needs of families of children with hearing loss

Abstract

Introduction: Evidences from pediatric auditory (re)habilitation has indicated the potential transformative action of the family as a robust factor in the prognosis of treatment. It is also argued that interventions should be based on the assessment of the family needs. Objective: to evaluate the impact of the therapeutic group setting on reducing the needs of the families of hearing impaired children. Method: an intervention study performed at a government hearing service during a six-month period, in which a group of 10 families of children with hearing loss aged from 1 year and 4 months to 5 years and 3 months, hearing aids or cochlear implant users, responded to the Family Needs Inventory in the pre- and post-intervention moments, and the design of the intervention was made based on the needs evidenced by the instrument applied. The sessions included situations of group dynamics, simulations, skills training and conversation group. Descriptive and inductive statistical analysis was performed, in addition to the qualitative evaluation, which included a focus group. Results: the most important topics for families were communication with the hearing impaired child, hearing loss and electronic devices issues, especially regarding cochlear implantation. The age and the educational status of parents, as well as the chronological and auditory age of the children were considered in the analysis of the reduction of the information needs by the families. Conclusion: there was a positive impact of the therapeutic group setting on the needs of the families of children with hearing impairment. Keywords: Family; Needs Assessment; Self-Help Groups; Correction of Hearing Impairment.