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Evaluating Families' Satisfaction With Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Services in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston

Contact author: Janet Farrell, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02108. E-mail: janet.farrell{at}state.ma.us.

Purpose: To determine levels of families' satisfaction and anxiety associated with the early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) process in Massachusetts, and to assess the relationship between a child's hearing status and levels of family satisfaction.

Method: Surveys were mailed to families whose infants (a) passed their initial hearing screening (Group 1), (b) did not pass their initial screening but subsequently passed an outpatient rescreen or diagnostic evaluation (Group 2), or (c) were identified with permanent hearing loss (Group 3). Survey instruments measured families' satisfaction and anxiety associated with each stage of the EHDI process.

Results: Of the 4,138 families surveyed, 1,106 (27%) responded. Families reported satisfaction with screening services (Group 1 = 88%; Group 2 = 86%; Group 3 = 75%), and few reported anxiety prior to the hearing screening (Group 1= 4%; Group 2 = 15%; Group 3 = 19%). Among families requiring retesting services, 97% of Group 2 and 87% of Group 3 families were satisfied. Among Group 3 families, 94% reported satisfaction with the care their audiologist was providing, and 79% were satisfied with their early intervention services overall.

Conclusions: Families reported satisfaction with the EHDI services they received in Massachusetts and expressed strong support for the universal newborn hearing screening initiative.

Key Words: early hearing detection and intervention, family satisfaction, newborn hearing screening