Abstract
The purpose of this study was to clarify and understand the present nursing practices for children with hearing difficulties. In this study, a semi-structured interview was conducted among 8 nurses (experience term, 3-14 years) working at the otolaryngology ward in a general hospital. Data obtained from the interview were analyzed using the content analysis method. The findings suggest that nurses understand the characteristics of a child's hearing impairment and recognize the actions that result from the characteristics. Nurses caring for such children were conscious of the child's difficulty in communicating and the problems associated with administering nursing care. Thus, the recognition and knowledge of the hearing impairment of the child influenced the nursing care provided to them. Nurses believed that presence of the child's mother helped improve the quality of nursing care provided. On the other hand, nurses were doubtful of their ability to examine a child for linguistic communication difficulties because they were of the opinion that nursing care, which meets the child's needs, should be provided. Nurses gained experience while providing care to the children with hearing difficulties.
