| dc.description.abstract | The study investigated how hearing impairment among children is being managed at family level in rural communities including Olok sub-county, Pallisa district. It was guided by three objectives: To establish the awareness of how hearing impairment is commonly caused among children at family level in Olok sub-county, to examine how hearing impairment affects the language and communication development of children at family level in Olok sub-county, and to explore the strategies used in managing hearing impairment among children at family level in Olok sub-county. A qualitative research design was adopted for the study involving nine (N=9) participants who included both parents and children with hearing impairment. Purposive sampling was used to identify the participants from whom data was collected using a semi structured interview guide. Findings indicated that families were aware of the causes of hearing loss in their children and were able to mention them. They identified diseases and accidents among others. Slow language development, communication challenges, negative community and neighbors’ attitudes towards children with hearing impairment were the major effects. Other effects noted were financial limitations, busy schedules and ignorance among parents on how to manage and communicate with children with hearing impairment. The findings identified the following strategies for managing hearing impairment among children: training parents in sign language, provision of hearing aids and constant medical checkup. The study recommended for parents to always seek for medical attention of their children from qualified health personnel in health facilities, sensitize their children to avoid playing in dangerous places that can cause accidents for them, train and empower parents on skills for early assessment, avoid putting on very high volumes when using ear phones, and establish a section at the health centers with staff having knowledge on assessment and intervention of hearing problems in children. In addition, parents should solicit for fund to buy for their children assistive listening devices, organize themselves into associations such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) for financial support, training in Ugandan sign language for parents and children, taking children to the nearby health facility for medical examination in case of any sign of HI, and provision of hearing aids to pupils with hearing impairment in inclusive primary schools in rural communities at a free cost. | en_US |
