Investigation of early intervention process in a newborn hearing screening program

This qualitative study aims to investigate the referral process in the newborn hearing screening program of a reference hospital. The health workers and parents of children who were diagnosed with hearing loss were interviewed to gather data. The opinions of the participants were examined considering the problems they encountered during the process and their suggestions on possible solutions The participants of the study were four audiometrists, one audiologist, one Ear Nose Throat surgeon and seven families. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with health workers and families, observations of reference hospital, documents, artefacts and the researcher's reflective journal. The data were analyzed and interpreted inductively. The results of the study have indicated that the quantity of the reference and educational centers need to be increased by the state. The families expressed their need for economic and psychological support. An efficient feedback system, to be followed up by the health workers, was suggested to decrease the loss.. The need for improved co-operation between the health workers and educators was also emphasized. It is thought that this study would contribute to health workers' understanding of the experiences of the families who have children with hearing loss. On the other hand, it might help to educators on developing an insight in the diagnostic process of the hearing loss at young ages. Anahtar Sözcükler: Children with a heraing loss, Newborn Hearing Screening, Early Intervention, Family Involment, Follow-up System.