Impact of Parental Psychological Inflexibility on Timeliness of Diagnosis and Treatment for Childhood Hearing Loss: Insights from a Multicentre Study in Iran
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By
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Sadegh Jafarzadeh
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Majid Hadadi Aval
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Jamshid Jamali
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July 16, 2026
Impact of Parental Psychological Inflexibility on Timeliness of Diagnosis and Treatment for Childhood Hearing Loss
Overview
This multicentre study in Iran assessed the relationship between parental psychological inflexibility and the timeliness of diagnosis and intervention for childhood hearing loss. Despite high coverage of newborn hearing screening, significant delays in diagnosis and intervention were observed, with no meaningful association found between parental psychological inflexibility and EHDI timelines.
Background
Congenital hearing loss is a prevalent sensory disorder that can significantly affect a child's development. Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs aim to mitigate these effects by ensuring timely diagnosis and intervention. However, despite high screening rates, delays in subsequent steps remain a critical issue.
Data Highlights
| Measure | Mean (±SD) |
|---|---|
| Age at Diagnosis | 16.93 (±14.63) months |
| Age at Intervention | 23.22 (±15.35) months |
| Diagnosis-to-Intervention Interval | 6.43 (±9.25) months |
Key Findings
- The mean age at diagnosis was 16.93 months.
- The mean age at intervention was 23.22 months.
- The diagnosis-to-intervention interval averaged 6.43 months.
- A weak negative correlation was found between parental age and psychological inflexibility (r=−0.171, p=0.014).
- No significant correlations were found between psychological inflexibility and EHDI timeline variables (all p>0.05).
- Systemic, social, and cultural barriers are suggested as primary factors influencing delays in EHDI.
Clinical Implications
Healthcare providers should be aware of the significant delays in diagnosis and intervention for childhood hearing loss, even with high screening coverage.
Conclusion
The study highlights persistent delays in EHDI despite universal screening, with parental psychological inflexibility not being a significant factor.
Related Resources & Content
- Frontiers in Pediatrics, 2026 -- Evaluation of a hearing assessment protocol for children with communication or autism concerns
- European Radiology, 2025 -- Evaluation of Inner Ear Malformations in Pediatric Patients: A Decade-Long Review from a Tertiary Care Center
- Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2026 -- Getting the timing right. Autistic adolescents reflect on the value of an early diagnosis
- BMJ Paediatrics Open, 2025 -- Assessment of the effects of ethnicity, home language, and socioeconomic status on neurodevelopmental performance in a multiethnic population
- EHDI 1-3-6 Benchmarks | Hearing Loss in Children | CDC, 2024
- Social Determinants of Health and Language and Academic Outcomes in Pediatric Cochlear Implantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | JAMA Otolaryngology, 2025
- Stress and coping among parents of children with hearing impairment: a scoping review, British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 2025
- EHDI 1-3-6 Benchmarks | Hearing Loss in Children | CDC
- Social Determinants of Health and Language and Academic Outcomes in Pediatric Cochlear Implantation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis | Cochlear Implantation | JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery | JAMA Network
- Stress and coping among parents of children with hearing impairment: a scoping review: British Journal of Guidance & Counselling: Vol 54, No 2
Based on findings from:
Delays in diagnosis and intervention for paediatric hearing loss: the role of parental psychological inflexibility in a multicentre Iranian study
Sadegh Jafarzadeh, Majid Hadadi Aval, Jamshid Jamali. Bmj Paediatrics Open, 2026.
https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e004203
This content is an AI-generated, fully rewritten summary based on a published scholarly article. It does not reproduce the original text and is not a substitute for the original publication. Readers are encouraged to consult the source for full context, data, and methodology.
