Auditory-verbal therapy with deaf or hard-of-hearing children in Gauteng, South Africa

[摘要] Auditory-verbal therapy (AVT) is an intervention approach used as part of an aural(re)habilitation programme conducted by an audiologist with deaf or hard-of-hearing (HOH)children. AVT is a refinement of the oral-aural approach and emphasizes listening instead ofvisual input. Previous research has focused on AVT in developed countries; however, there islimited available research in developing countries such as South Africa. This study exploresand describes the relevance of AVT provided by audiologists in Gauteng, South Africa. Thespecific objectives of the study were to explore the differences between AVT and generalpaediatric aural rehabilitation therapies conducted by audiologists; the impact of language onthe implementation of AVT and the challenges associated with AVT training. A qualitativeresearch design was used. A purposive sampling strategy was used to identify and recruitparticipants. Ten audiologists currently conducting aural rehabilitation were selected toparticipate in the study. The sample size was divided into five audiologists who had obtainedthe LSL certification (equivalent to AVT certification) and five audiologists without the LSLcertification. A pilot study was conducted prior to data collection to determine the applicabilityof the research study. Thereafter semi-structured interviews were conducted, using an interviewschedule. Thematic analysis was employed and themes were described qualitatively. Resultsrevealed the emergence of three resounding themes which included challenges, differences intherapy approaches, and implementation and contributing factors to the success of AVT. Theresults concluded the need for the implementation of newborn hearing screening programmesto assist with early identification and detection of hearing loss. The study identifies a strongneed for the increase in the number of certified LSL therapists in South Africa and additionalAVT comprehensive programmes to be implemented at various institutions in Gauteng.Awareness regarding the success of AVT implementation needs to be raised. Finally, theHPCSA needs to revisit and explicitly define the role of audiologists interacting with deaf orHOH children with the LSL qualification being a mandatory postgraduate pre-requisite forworking in the field of aural rehabilitation.Key words: Auditory-verbal therapy; aural rehabilitation; deaf; hard-of-hearing.

[发布机构] University of the Witwatersrand