A qualitative study of mothers' experiences adopting deaf or hard-of-hearing children.

This study qualitatively explores the perspectives of nine White, typically hearing mothers in the United States who have adopted children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). Through thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews, key themes emerged around motivations for adoption, reactions to the identification of hearing status, communication and technology decisions, language considerations, access to services, attachment and adjustment, and responses from others. The findings highlight the importance of parent-to-parent support, challenges related to incomplete pre-adoption medical histories, and the complex, individualized nature of decisions regarding communication modalities and hearing technology. The study also notes limited discussion of race and ethnicity by participants and suggests that trauma-informed, holistic professional practices could improve outcomes for adopted DHH children and their families.