PURPOSE: to analyze and characterize children suspected by the family of hearing loss attended at Associação de Pais e Amigos do Deficiente Auditivo (APADA) in Teresina, PI. METHODS: a descriptive study was carried out at PFHIA from September to October 2006. Form were filled out by 14 mothers and/or the responsible adult to find the following variables: identify the family member who suspected hearing loss in the child; the reason which led to the suspicion; the age of the child when hearing loss was detected by the family member; the attitude of the family after discovering the hearing loss; the age of the child when professional help was obtained and the orientation received; the time lapse from suspicion of hearing loss by the family to professional confirmation. RESULTS: the data shows that hearing loss was suspected by the mothers in 86%. The reason for the suspicion was no reaction to sound from the child (71%). 36% of the families noticed the problem at the age of 7 to 12 months, 79% looked for medical help as their first attitude, 36% looked for a health professional before 1 year of age, 29% received the health orientation to use hearing aids and had the confirmation of hearing loss from 7 months to 1 year of age or after the age of 4. CONCLUSION: the diagnosis of hearing loss was late and discovered by members of the family and health professionals and was not related to newborn hearing screening programs.
Hearing; Hearing Loss; Language; Diagnosis
