A Study of Anxiety Levels Among Parents of Children With Hearing Impairment Before and After Receiving Auditory Intervention at Ramathibodi Hospital

Abstract

Background: Hearing loss in children impacts their communication ability and daily living. Research has shown a correlation between hearing loss in children and parent’s mental health problems. Although anxiety is a common mental health problem globally, few studies have examined anxiety levels among parents of children with hearing impairments. Objective: To evaluate anxiety levels among parents of children with hearing impairments before and after children received auditory interventions. Methods: The study recruited 35 parents of children with hearing impairments who received auditory interventions at Ramathibodi Hospital. Parental anxiety levels were evaluated using STAI Form Y-1 (Thai version), supplemented with structured interviews. Parental anxiety levels before and after children received the intervention were compared using paired t tests, and content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data from structured interviews. Results: Most participants were female parents of children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) using hearing aids (mean age; parents = 41 years, and children = 6 years). The results showed a significant decrease in parental anxiety levels after children received an auditory intervention. Consistent with previous literature, parental anxiety levels were reduced after children received auditory interventions. Reduction in parental anxiety might be associated with a better understanding of children’s hearing status, treatment plans, and improvements in children’s speech and language development. Conclusions: This study suggests that appropriate auditory interventions reduce parental anxiety. The interventions should be carefully planned to support children’s development and parents’ mental well-being.