Identification and follow-up of children with hearing loss in Mauritius.

Early identification of hearing loss followed by a timely and effective intervention programme for children with hearing impairment is necessary to minimise the negative effects of hearing loss on the development of cognition, psychosocial and verbal communication skills. Such early intervention programmes need to be multidisciplinary, technologically sound and most important, it should take cognizance of the specific context (community, country) in which the child and family function. The main aim of this study is to obtain accurate and reliable baseline information regarding current status of the intervention process for children with hearing loss in Mauritius, a developing country. Questionnaire-based interviews were carried out to obtain information from 37 hearing impaired children's parents regarding the median ages of suspicion of hearing loss, diagnosis and placement of hearing aids. The referral process, diagnosis and the management of these children is also described. The findings indicate that children in the study were identified late (median age 24 months) and that the management process is fragmented. The strengths in the current identification and follow-up process namely, parental involvement and established public service structure are highlighted. The weaknesses in the current system are identified, for example, time lapses in the identification process and the provision of hearing aids and the lack of co-ordinated services. The theoretical and empirical research carried out forms the basis of recommendations that have practical implications for an early intervention programme for children with hearing loss in Mauritius and can possibly function as a prototype for other developing countries.