Hearing impairment and its impact on children and parents in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Hearing impairment and its consequences in children are often worsened by late identification in Pakistan. Deep-rooted cultural beliefs make some parents reluctant to seek clinical treatment, making adaptable solutions that traverse levels of socio-ecological model necessary. Aims: To determine the impact of hearing impairment on children’s participation in social activities, and the financial burden on their parents. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 377 parents of children with hearing impairment. The sample was recruited from special education schools and hospitals in Islamabad and Lahore, Pakistan, from November 2015 to April 2016. A 15- item structured questionnaire was used for data collection. SPSS version 21 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Among children with hearing impairment, 47.5% faced moderate challenges in joining social activities, and 26.0% faced severe challenges. There was a significant positive correlation between the severity of hearing impairment, the person who suspected hearing impairment, age of detection of hearing impairment, and time of referral. Children with hearing impairment caused moderate financial strain on 39.0% of parents and mild strain on 26.8%. Conclusion: Hearing impairment can significantly impact children's participation in social activities and cause financial burdens on their parents.