The role of music in families with normally hearing children compared to children with cochlear implants and/or hearing aids

Familial involvement has been shown to have a positive impact on children’s speech/language development, as well as their social and educational progress. However, what about music? Children with normal hearing (NH) are often involved in informal music activities as part of their upbringing. Parents often incorporate music into everyday routine and in school, NH children are involved in music classes. Music participation for children with a hearing impairment (HI) does not always follow the same path as NH children as often more time is dedicated to speech/language development, and parental attitudes and perceptions may shift regarding their child’s musical potential. Many parents have the perception that their child may be less able at music lessons due to their HI, and do not engage them in musical activities as they would if the child
had NH. This study aims to look at the role of music in families of children with and without hearing loss, to provide information for professionals and parents around integrating music into a HI child’s day-to-day life.
A study-specific questionnaire, the Role of Music in Families Questionnaire (RMFQ) was administered to parents/guardians of children with 56 NH children and 25 children with a HI (17 with hearing aids, 8 with cochlear implants). The RMFQ included seven subsections covering: General Information, Childhood Music Participation and Experiences, Attitudes and Reactions to Music, Music Resources, Importance of Music in the Family, Child’s Music Listening Preferences and Future Perspectives. Children were aged 2-6 years, and yet to start primary school.
Results showed that, on average, music held a similar level of importance for NH and HI children’s lives, and their family. The attitudes of both groups were overall very positive, with only a few significant differences such as more HI children learning percussive instruments compare to the NH children. There were differences in relation to the child’s participation level and enjoyment, but the importance of music’s role in the family is not dramatically differed by the presence of a hearing loss.