ABSTRACTINFLUENCES ON PARENTAL DECISIONS REGARDING COMMUNICATION OPTIONS FOR CHILDREN IDENTIFIED WITH HEARING LOSSByKalli Beth DeckerChoosing a method of communication for a child who is deaf or hard of hearing (d/hh) is a complex process that must be addressed early in order to avoid severe developmental consequences. Limited research shows that parents' decisions are influenced by professionals who are often biased toward a particular communication method, and that parental attitudes and knowledge related to their child's development may also be influential. This study addresses a gap in the literature by investigating potential influences on parents' choices of a communication method including parents' knowledge of communication development, values, and sources of information. Data were collected via an online survey for parents of children who are d/hh (N = 36). Findings indicate that there were no differences between parents who chose an oral versus signed method of communication in their knowledge of communication development or their perceptions of the media's portrayal of children who are d/hh. However, parents who chose an oral communication method placed higher value on their child's ability to fit in with typically developing children, felt more negatively about their own abilities to learn or use a signed method of communication, and sought information from education or speech/audiology professionals more often. However, there were no group differences in sources parents cited as influential to their decisions. Instead, all parents reported relying on their own judgment, indicating that they had internalized the opinions of the professionals from whom they had sought information.
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