ABSTRACT The communication journey of a child with hearing loss is often a complex, interwoven process in which the child's use of language or method of communication may change numerous times. As there has been limited research exploring the caregiver decision-making process behind making such changes, this qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore the factors which influence the caregiver decision making-process to change the communication method of their child with hearing loss. Individual semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with seven caregivers of children with hearing loss in Australia. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes which influenced caregiver decisions regarding changes to their child's method of communication, including: (1) family characteristics; (2) family access to information; (3) family strengths; (4) family beliefs; and (5) family-centered practice. The overall finding that the family unit is at the core of decision-making has important clinical implications regarding early intervention professionals’ provision of family-centered services when working with the families of children with hearing loss.

中文翻译：

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影响看护者决定改变听力损失儿童沟通方式的因素


摘要 听力损失儿童的沟通过程通常是一个复杂、交织的过程，其中孩子使用的语言或沟通方法可能会多次改变。由于探索此类改变背后的看护者决策过程的研究有限，这项定性描述性研究旨在探讨影响看护者决策过程的因素，以改变听力损失孩子的沟通方式。对澳大利亚七名听力损失儿童的照顾者进行了个人半结构化深度访谈。主题分析揭示了影响照顾者关于改变孩子沟通方式的决定的五个关键主题，包括：（1）家庭特征； （2）家庭获取信息的情况； （三）家庭优势； (4)家庭信仰； (5)以家庭为中心的实践。家庭单位是决策的核心这一总体发现对于早期干预专业人员在与听力损失儿童的家庭合作时提供以家庭为中心的服务具有重要的临床意义。