Audiology service satisfaction and level of anxiety in parents with hearing-impaired children

Hearing-impaired children make a lot of stress for the parents. Providing the parents of these children with suitable consultation and rehabilitation services results in increased satisfaction and reduced anxiety level. In this study we investigated the relationship between audiology service satisfaction and level of anxiety in parents of hearing-impaired children. Seventy-five parents of hearing-impaired children, whose problem was diagnosed during the last year, participated in the study. The mothers were interviewed using satisfaction and anxiety questionnaires. There was no association between level of service satisfaction and parental state and trait anxiety level; however, the group with a higher level of satisfaction (score 64-90) recorded a lower anxiety score (0-20). There was also a significant association between parental state and trait anxiety level (p<0.001). Considering the demographic data, only the living place (Tehran compared with other provinces) showed a significant association with satisfaction and anxiety levels; people living in small provinces had a significantly less satisfaction level (p=0.002) and a more anxiety score (p=0.017). Lack of durability of services was the concern of people living in small provinces which resulted in being more anxious and less satisfied.