Balancing worlds of sound and silence: The experience of adult hearing children of deaf parent(s)

Abstract

Being a deaf child of hearing parents has been extensively investigated. However, hearing children of deaf parents (HCODPs) have been largely overlooked by researchers. The purpose of the present study was to qualitatively explore the perceived experience of the HCODPs ranging from childhood to emerging adulthood regarding their family role and its' impact on the development of self and the formation of intimate relationships. Six hearing adult children aged 21 to 28 were interviewed. The data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed by the use of Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Participants differed in the process of self- differentiation. Participants experienced lower self-differentiation when the adherence to parental roles accompanied by role-reversal, was perceived as adequate in combination with the absence of hearing family members as additional caregivers. Recommendations for the development of supporting services for the implications imposed upon this group of individuals are provided.