Communication, psychological, and social outcomes for DHH adults with DHH parents

This study investigated how having a deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) parent influences outcomes in DHH adults. A cross-sectional survey design and secondary analysis of data from 755 DHH adults aged 16-64, including 146 (19%) with at least 1 DHH parent, was used. Participants with and without a DHH parent were compared, and a comparative sub-analysis of participants under 35 years of age was also conducted. Analyses examined audiological, language, psychological, social, and family outcomes. Participants with a DHH parent were more likely to have a DHH sibling and a DHH child. Participants with a DHH parent had higher educational attainment, were less likely to have attended a deaf school in childhood, and were less likely to use sign language, a finding that may reflect the heterogeneity of the DHH parent group. However, these findings were not observed in the subgroup of participants younger than 35 years. The study points to the potential importance of family and intergenerational influences on DHH individuals.