Abstract
Providers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) children are one of the first to provide information to parents about their child’s hearing status. This study examines the type, content, and delivery of information providers share with families of DHH children about communication choices and language modalities. Using a thematic analysis approach (Braun, 2006), data from a Qualtrics survey and interviews with two groups – providers (n=14) and parents (n=7) – were analyzed to identify key themes. For providers, themes centered on the diverse approaches to language modality counseling, the challenges in accessing and delivering resources, the influence of personal and professional biases, and the various factors that shape how information is shared with families of DHH children. For parents, themes reflected the factors influencing their decision making, the types of resources they seek from providers, their perceptions of biased or incomplete information, and their experiences with providers who discussed language modalities. Together, these themes reveal gaps and opportunities in current counseling practices, emphasizing the need for clearer communication, better resource access, and a more balanced, family-centered approach to language modality support.