OBJECTIVE: Assess parental perceptions of their child's sensorineural hearing loss care.
METHODS: Families of pediatric patients diagnosed with a sensorineural hearing loss from 2000 to 2004 were sent a survey asking about their experiences with their child's hearing loss.
RESULTS: One hundred eight of 389 families surveyed were studied. Thirteen percent did not know the results of the newborn screening. Twenty-two percent of the primary care physicians were not involved in the child's hearing evaluation. Forty percent of the patients underwent 4 or more audiologic tests before a diagnosis. The most common reason for delayed diagnosis was difficulty in obtaining an appointment with an audiologist. Sixty-two percent of families had difficulties obtaining hearing aids, and 58% noted difficulties obtaining cochlear implants.
CONCLUSIONS: Families reported multiple obstacles to obtain timely diagnosis and treatment. Otolaryngologists may need to be more involved in the evaluation and treatment of these patients.
EBM rating: C-4
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