STUDIES OF THE PSYCHOSOCIAL ADJUSTMENT OF THE HEARING-IMPAIRED .1. ADOLESCENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES PILOT-STUDY

There is a general pessimistic view found in the literature that defends a hypothesis that the consequences of severe hearing impairment on psychosocial development are many and severe. This pilot study of 20 adolescents who had experienced a profound hearing impairment from birth had the purpose of clarifying this issue. The findings of the study were not compatible with such pessimism. It is concluded that the teaching of an oral means of communication which facilitates education within a mainstreamed system, is compatible with good psychosocial adjustment. To confirm this optimism and to delineate the variables in good development, further study employing comparison groups is needed.