Hearing health practices throughout the world are complex in that they include a spectrum of audiological and educational services that address diverse populations with varying hearing conditions and habilitative needs. The number of persons affected with hearing loss is currently estimated to be around 466 million worldwide, which is about 6% of the world’s population; the majority reside in low and middle income countries (The World Health Organization, 2018). Approximately 34 million children are affected by some degree of hearing loss globally. Recent analysis suggests this number is inconclusive and may very well be underestimated. The World Health Organization also states that more than 60% of childhood hearing loss could be prevented.[i] Further, hearing loss might not be the only disabling condition. Learning challenges, attentional deficits, and other physical disabilities may be present.

According to many developmental psychologists, caregivers have the most influence on children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development when they have good self-perception, emotional health, economic stability, and skills to nurture children successfully. Because hearing loss carries considerable stigma in the developing world, it has always been the mission of Partners for A Greater Voice to instill positive caregiver supports to help parents realize what is possible.  The support and counseling they receive must therefore consider their psychological well-being. When parental caregivers feel good about themselves and explore their innate potential, it can lead to improved responsiveness to learn, develop skills, and acquire knowledge. Yes, well-being matters!

Parenting a child with hearing loss in limited resource communities around the world is undoubtedly challenging. Parents may have limited income and struggle to find social, emotional, and informational supports to help their children communicate and learn. Social stigma, insufficient access to Hearing Assistive Technologies, inaccessible education services, inadequate healthcare, poverty, and potentially no family supports can be other factors. In many low- and middle-income countries, children with hearing loss are unable to communicate at levels comparable to hearing peers and experience significant delays in communication, speech, and socio-emotional growth. Communication is especially important and necessary for children with complex needs. Many parental caregivers, albeit a single mother, aunt, grandparent or sibling, struggle with their children’s future and lack of emotional and social supports. Many parents live alone with their grief; sadness and loneliness emanate in far too many eyes among caregivers we meet.

Practitioners collaborate with the parents to inform and empower them. It is the job of every practitioner to educate and support the family. Yet practitioners might be the only professional caregivers encounter. Practitioners must find essential time to coach and engage caregivers not only as partners in their children’s development, but as independent leaders who are mentally prepared for their journeys. Ultimately, practitioners must balance the learning and communication needs of children with the emotional needs of caregivers and lessons that engage parents in the nurturing care they give tot heir children.

The complexity of the global hearing health industry and parenting children with hearing loss must therefore include strategies to effectively foster caregivers’ well-being. Caregiver engagement is critical to a child’s success. Practitioners who work with families must be equipped with training or interventions supportive of caregiver mental health and essential to igniting potential and building parental capacity. For this reason, PGV has published Coaching and Empowering Caregivers of Children with Hearing Loss, an approach to foster well-being.

[i] WHO, “Childhood Hearing Loss, Act Now Hear’s How,” (2016). https://www.who.int/pbd/deafness/world-hearing-day/WHD2016_Brochure_EN_2.pdf.

 

Information from this article should be cited/referenced as: “Joanne Travers, Partners for A Greater Voice, Inc. Content derived from Essential Programs to Coach and Empower (2016). Ipswich, Massachusetts U.S.A. www.greatervoice.com”