Cultural diversity in early hearing detection and intervention: service provider perspectives.
Hayley Wong, Jane Sheehan, Valerie Sung and 2 others
PMID 40073445WHAT IT FOUND
Service providers supporting culturally and linguistically diverse families after newborn hearing screening said interpreter access, translated information, stigma, transport, childcare, and unclear roles made engagement difficult.
They wanted more time, proactive contact, cultural training, and community links.
Key findings
01Interpreter access was difficult, families often declined interpreters, and providers worried about misunderstandings even when interpreters were used.
02Providers said supporting culturally and linguistically diverse families required more time and faced practical barriers, including transport, childcare, work commitments, and short-notice cancellations.
03Providers reported families were confused about service roles, and they wanted more cultural training, community links, and better translated resources.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study reports service provider perspectives, not family perspectives. All participants were female, which may limit the range of provider perspectives. The sample came from a metropolitan area only and did not include rural or remote services. The findings apply to Victoria’s newborn hearing screening and diagnostic pathway and may not apply elsewhere. The researchers did not ask participants to check whether the themes matched their views. The study does not show whether suggested changes improve engagement.
Declared interests
The Australian Government Research Training Program is named as the funder. No other conflicts of interest are reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not treat these service provider reports as evidence that translated text messages or cultural training improve engagement. The study reports provider experiences and suggestions, not measured outcomes.