2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO
3/18/2024 | 3:10 PM - 3:35 PM | Leveraging Parent Perspectives to Inform EHDI System Change | Mineral Hall F/G
Leveraging Parent Perspectives to Inform EHDI System Change
Families are the end-users of EHDI systems, and family leadership is clearly identified as a critical component by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. It can, however, be challenging to translate the experiences of young families into system change in a timely manner. This session presents the use of focus groups as an effective tool, and provides a review of the methodology, recruitment strategies, and validity of the approach. Presenters will review findings from four focus groups of EHDI families with children of similar ages who differ in location, hearing status, and language/culture. Key themes from the data include characteristics of professional communication, challenges navigating services, disparities in services, perceived bias in information, and a desire for empathy. Information from the focus groups was integrated into provider training, and the provider feedback illustrates the effectiveness of sharing collective of experiences in a meaningful way. Participants will receive coaching on the use of focus groups within their own EHDI system, including the identification of effective strategies and potential challenges.
- Participants will examine the use of parent focus groups as a means to inform EHDI system change, including the methodology, recruitment, and validity.
- Participants will compare and contrast the findings from four focus groups of EHDI families with children of similar ages who differ in location, hearing status, and language/culture.
- Participants will apply elements of a focus group methodology in planning for data gathering to inform their own programs and systems
Presentation:
3478265_16450SarahWainscott.pdf
Handouts:
3478265_16450SarahWainscott.pdf
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Karen Ditty
(Co-Presenter), Texas Hands & Voices, karenditty@txhv.org;
Karen Ditty is a pediatric audiologist with extensive experience and expertise in Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs. Her career includes initiating newborn hearing screening and hearing aid legislation while implementing EHDI activities in Louisiana and Texas. She has been associated with the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management for more than 20 years, and has worked on a variety of projects such as the Newborn Hearing Screening Training Curriculum and issues related to program quality, financing, and sustainability.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Texas Hands and Voices.
Nature: Contractor to Texas Hands and Voices.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Sarah Wainscott
(Co-Presenter), Texas Woman's University, swainscott@twu.edu;
Sarah Wainscott trains teachers of the deaf and speech-language pathologists at Texas Woman’s University, with an emphasis on language acquisition, auditory supports, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She is also the parent of two children who are deaf, and supports parent outreach and provider training for Texas Hands & Voices.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Michaela Hamaker
(Primary Presenter), Texas Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side, mhamaker@txhv.org;
Michaela Hamaker is a Parent/Professional and Project Manager for Texas Hands & Voices, having served for seven years as the Texas Hands & Voices Guide by Your Side Coordinator. She is passionate about providing families with resources and support so they can help their children thrive, and coaching leadership skills in fellow parents.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exists.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.