Providing culturally effective audiological services to the hispanic pediatric population
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Date
2008
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Publisher
Ohio State University. Department of Speech and Hearing Science
Abstract
The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority population in the United States and is expected to make up approximately 15% of the total United States population by the year 2010. In 2003, 18% of the students in elementary and high schools were Hispanic, compared to 6% in 1970. With a large increase in the number of Hispanics, especially children, in the United States there exists a strong need for audiologists to be more culturally diverse and competent, deliver services with respect and without stereotypes, use appropriate language-specific assessments, know when to seek other professional assistance when working with a family with limited English proficiency, and communicate in an effective and appropriate manner with families who have limited English and/or literacy proficiency. After reviewing literature on access to healthcare, Hispanic culture, audiological services to minority populations, this paper identifies and analyzes the barriers Hispanic children encounter to receive appropriate health care and their effect on audiologic care. The paper then discusses the limitations and obstacles audiologists face when providing assessments and services to the pediatric Hispanic population, and provides a framework of tools and sources in order to deliver the most appropriate audiologic care and intervention.