Föräldrars upplevelse när deras barn diagnosticeras med hörselnedsättning

Abstract: Parents go through various experiences when their child is diagnosed with hearing loss. The purpose of the qualitative study was to understand Icelandic parents experienced when their child was diagnosed with hearing loss. This includes the experience they got from service provided by the National Hearing and Speech Institute in Iceland. There were six parents of children with hearing loss interviewed for this study, even distribution was between sexes. The interviews were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. From the analysis came the two themes; effect and experience, both with three subthemes. The result from the six subthemes was that for the parents the diagnosis of their child’s hearing loss is difficult to receive; however, with time it becomes easier. Their child’s hearing loss has positive and negative effects on their life and feels the knowledge about their child’s future and its development is important; however, it is often uncertain. The parents experience the need for more knowledge about hearing loss and hearing aids. Support in different ways is also important for the parents, but not always perceived as needed. Overall the parents are satisfied with the treatment and service provided with improvement needed in certain parts.