Associations of childhood hearing loss and adverse childhood experiences in deaf adults

Childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences have a strong relationship with health disparities across the lifespan. Despite experiencing approximately doubled rates of trauma, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are poorly characterized in deaf populations. We sought to characterize deaf-specific demographic factors and their association with multiple experiences of ACEs before the age of 18 years old. An analytical cross-sectional approach was used to ascertain associations of deaf-specific demographic factors and experiences with ACEs. The complete dataset included 520 participants for a total response rate of 56%. After adjusting for confounding effects, less severe hearing loss of 16-55 dB (2+ OR: 5.2, 4+ OR: 4.7), having a cochlear implant (2+ OR: 2.1, 4+ OR: 2.6), and not attending at least one school with signing access (2+ OR: 2.4, 4+ OR: 3.7) were significantly and independently associated with reported experiences of multiple ACEs. We conclude that factors associated with childhood hearing loss and language experiences increase risk of experiencing ACEs. Given the strong relationship between ACEs and poor social outcomes, early intervention clinical practice and health policies should consider interventions to support healthy home environments for deaf children.

Automated summary

Childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have significant impacts on health disparities across the lifespan. However, little is known about ACEs among deaf populations despite their higher rates of trauma. This study aimed to examine deaf-specific demographic factors and their association with multiple ACEs before the age of 18. The findings suggest that factors such as less severe hearing loss, having a cochlear implant, and lack of access to signing education are independently associated with increased risk of experiencing ACEs. Early intervention and supportive home environments for deaf children should be prioritized to mitigate the negative effects of ACEs.