Care provision for infants with hearing impairments support by the speech, language, and hearing therapist for intersubjective communication between the child and caregiver

Abstract

Relationships between infants and their caregivers start to develop from birth, and a wholesome attachment between them is nurtured by the care provided through communication. Recently, such care is regarded to be based on intersubjective communication which shares emotions between the child and the caregiver, and the quality of its communicative musicality. In the case of children with hearing impairments, it is crucial for them to recognize the emotions of both themselves and others and to establish a solid attachment with their caregivers, in order for them to acquire functional language and desirable sociality later in their lives. From this perspective, this paper analyzed clinical scenes of a speech, language, and hearing therapist and examined and defned the necessary intersubjective communication support for children with hearing impairments and their caregivers. It is desirable to establish a methodology for speech, language, and hearing therapists to support caregivers in formulating their care for children with hearing impairments.