Karakteristik Habilitasi Penderita Tuli Kongenital pada Anak di Kota Medan

Abstract

Introduction: Congenital hearing loss in children requires early detection and intervention to support speech and communication development. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of habilitation among children with congenital deafness in Medan, Indonesia. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using questionnaires administered to 116 mothers of children diagnosed with congenital deafness, complemented by medical records from Adam Malik General Hospital. Results: The majority of children were male (55.5%), with a mean age of 7.84 years. Most children were diagnosed and habilitated after the age of 1 year, with 83.6% using hearing aids and 90.9% undergoing habilitation for more than 1 year. Speech therapy was provided to 49.1% of children for over 1 year post-habilitation. The predominant communication method was a combination of sign language and oral/verbal (68%), and 83.6% of children attended special schools. Children diagnosed and habilitated before 1 year of age had a higher likelihood of using oral/verbal communication compared to those starting habilitation later. The type of habilitation also influenced communication, with cochlear implant users showing a higher proportion of oral/verbal communication than hearing aid users. Additionally, the duration of habilitation and speech therapy impacted communication development, with children receiving therapy for more than 1 year demonstrating increased chances of oral/verbal communication compared to those with shorter therapy durations. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the importance of early detection and intervention in supporting the communication development of children with congenital deafness.