Problems Faced by Hearing Impaired Children in Getting Medical Services

Abstract

Background: Problems of hearing impairment are the segment of medical domain which is faced by student with special needs. Verity of medical services are available for children with hearing impairment but a very common problem, which exists in Pakistan is the lack of awareness about the importance of medical services and their diagnosis. Objective: Purpose of study was to identify the problems faced by children with hearing impairment in getting medical services from private clinic. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted and the convenient sampling technique was used. Population of the study comprised of 70 school children with hearing impairment how were th th enrolled in class 7 to 10 of public school in Lahore. The instrument of study was questionnaire which was developed in the light of literature review and expert opinion. Results: 93%(65 out of 70) participants reported that doctors don not understand sign language and all the participants (100%) documented that doctors do not provide them with sign language interpreter. 60% said that doctor do not understand them, 68% said that they don not understand doctors & 71% said they cannot tell the doctors about their disease. Conclusion: It was concluded that the individuals with hearing impairment do not feel satisfied during the treatment due to the lack of understanding of sign language among the doctors along with the in availability. Key Words: Hearing Impairment, Medical Service, Doctors, Sign Language