ろうの両親を持つ高度難聴児の精密聴力検査と関連する問題について

抄録

Parental deafness is one of the high risk factors associated with congenital hearing loss in children. Six severe hearing-impaired children who have deaf parents have been followed in our hospital. In this study, we examined these six children when hearing loss was found, when hearing aids were fitted with them and auditory training was started. In addition, we elicited from the six deaf families of how communication was handled at home and in schools, and also their thoughts about cochlear implants. Three cases were referred to our hospital from obstetricians and pediatricians in newborn hearing screening, and their hearing was diagnosed with ABR at one month. Hearing loss in the other three cases was found within one and a half years. Five of the six deaf families in the present study took a great interest in their childrens' hearing, fitting hearing aids and starting auditory training 4-6 months after the diagnosis of hearing loss. The children communicate with their parents through sign language mainly at home and hearing aids are used in schools in four cases. These deaf children came to learn sign language naturally by 2-3 years old. They visit our hospital for consultation regarding handicapped certificate, auditory tests, and to check for aural disease. We are careful about the communication gap when we talk with deaf parents because they communicate with us through sign language interpreters and written Japanese. With regard to cochlear implants, none of the deaf parents wanted their deaf children to have the operation. The deaf parents in our study thought that it is natural to educate their children through sign language and lip reading with hearing aids. As we now have the chance to see these deaf children with deaf parents at an early date after birth, we must try to understand the background of their families as well as support them appropriately.