Abstract

Introduction: Of all diagnosable sensory impairments, hearing loss (HL) has the highest prevalence worldwide. Consequences of HL include but are not limited to communication disability, language and learning disorders, behavioural difficulties, academic underachievement, and low self-esteem. Therefore, paediatrician involvement in ongoing care of paediatric HL is crucial for auditory, linguistic, and communicative aspects of childhood development. Aim: To understand and describe the knowledge about paediatric HL of paediatricians from the Viña del Mar-Quillota Health Service, Chile. Material and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. Thirty-three doctors from Neonatology and Paediatric Units from the Viña del Mar-Quillota Health Service completed a questionnaire exploring knowledge and behaviours regarding paediatric HL. Results: Participants acknowledged the importance of their role in the continuous care of paediatric HL. However, 72% of participants were provided with knowledge on paediatric HL only throughout their post-secondary education. Over 50% of participants identified all HL risk factors, demonstrating the acquisition of foundational knowledge of early HL detection. Gaps in knowledge identified by participants included types and classification of HL, types of assessments, and policies and procedures to guide treatment of paediatric HL in Chile. Conclusion: Provision of HL information to paediatricians, and ongoing professional development is vital to the decisions regarding ongoing care of paediatric HL. Potential outcomes of knowledge provision and ongoing professional development for paediatric residents and paediatricians may result in early HL detection and intervention of paediatric HL, potentially reducing the impact of associated developmental consequences for children with HL.