Scenario-based recognition of possible childhood hearing loss among experienced preschool teachers working with children aged 3-6 years

Hanifi Korkmaz; Sevilay Hançer Tecimer; Pınar Tekin; Yasin Tok

doi:10.32322/jhsm.1993059

Scenario-based recognition of possible childhood hearing loss among experienced preschool teachers working with children aged 3-6 years

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate experienced preschool teachers’ recognition of possible childhood hearing loss using scenario-based classroom situations and to identify factors associated with accurate recognition. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 124 experienced preschool teachers working with children aged 3-6 years. Data were collected using an online, expert-reviewed structured questionnaire that assessed theoretical knowledge, recognition of classroom signs of hearing loss, and the ability to differentiate hearing loss from other developmental or behavioral conditions through two classroom scenarios (behavioral cues vs. speech-language cues). Comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, McNemar’s exact test, and Chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests, as appropriate. Associations were examined using Spearman’s rank correlation and binary logistic regression analyses. Results: The mean knowledge score was 22.98±3.09 (possible range: 6-30). The most frequently recognized sign of hearing loss was increasing television/screen volume (80.6%). In the scenario characterized by behavioral cues, only 29.0% of teachers selected hearing loss as a possible cause, compared with 42.7% in the speech-language scenario (McNemar’s exact test, p=0.002). Previous hearing health training was the strongest independent predictor of recognizing hearing loss in both scenarios (OR=7.27 and OR=5.10, respectively; both p<0.001), whereas teaching experience was not significantly associated with recognition. Conclusion: Preschool teachers had a moderate level of theoretical knowledge regarding childhood hearing loss; however, this knowledge was not consistently reflected in scenario-based recognition, particularly when behavioral features predominated. Previous hearing health training, rather than teaching experience alone, was associated with better recognition of possible hearing loss, supporting the potential value of scenario-based educational programs and practical referral guidance.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study received no financial support from any public, commercial, or non-profit funding institution or organization.

Ethical Statement

The study protocol was approved by the Malatya Turgut Özal University Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (Date: 14.03.2026; Decision No: 2026/133). All study procedures were conducted in accordance with the ethical principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Electronic informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their inclusion in the study.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the interdisciplinary expert panel for their valuable feedback during the development of the questionnaire, and all the preschool teachers who generously participated in this study.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Otorhinolaryngology, Community Child Health, Audiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Hanifi Korkmaz ^*
0000-0003-2164-393X
Türkiye

Sevilay Hançer Tecimer
0009-0001-6644-9148
Türkiye

Pınar Tekin
0009-0009-5415-3153
Türkiye

Yasin Tok
0000-0002-8601-8732
Türkiye

Publication Date

September 19, 2026

Submission Date

July 12, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 15, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 5

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1993059

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA53CR97RJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Korkmaz, H., Hançer Tecimer, S., Tekin, P., & Tok, Y. (2026). Scenario-based recognition of possible childhood hearing loss among experienced preschool teachers working with children aged 3-6 years. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(5), 1445-1452. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1993059

AMA

1.Korkmaz H, Hançer Tecimer S, Tekin P, Tok Y. Scenario-based recognition of possible childhood hearing loss among experienced preschool teachers working with children aged 3-6 years. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(5):1445-1452. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1993059

Chicago

Korkmaz, Hanifi, Sevilay Hançer Tecimer, Pınar Tekin, and Yasin Tok. 2026. “Scenario-Based Recognition of Possible Childhood Hearing Loss Among Experienced Preschool Teachers Working With Children Aged 3-6 Years”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (5): 1445-52. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1993059.

EndNote

Korkmaz H, Hançer Tecimer S, Tekin P, Tok Y (September 1, 2026) Scenario-based recognition of possible childhood hearing loss among experienced preschool teachers working with children aged 3-6 years. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 5 1445–1452.

IEEE

[1]H. Korkmaz, S. Hançer Tecimer, P. Tekin, and Y. Tok, “Scenario-based recognition of possible childhood hearing loss among experienced preschool teachers working with children aged 3-6 years”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 5, pp. 1445–1452, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1993059.

ISNAD

Korkmaz, Hanifi - Hançer Tecimer, Sevilay - Tekin, Pınar - Tok, Yasin. “Scenario-Based Recognition of Possible Childhood Hearing Loss Among Experienced Preschool Teachers Working With Children Aged 3-6 Years”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/5 (September 1, 2026): 1445-1452. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1993059.

JAMA

1.Korkmaz H, Hançer Tecimer S, Tekin P, Tok Y. Scenario-based recognition of possible childhood hearing loss among experienced preschool teachers working with children aged 3-6 years. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:1445–1452.

MLA

Korkmaz, Hanifi, et al. “Scenario-Based Recognition of Possible Childhood Hearing Loss Among Experienced Preschool Teachers Working With Children Aged 3-6 Years”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 5, Sept. 2026, pp. 1445-52, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1993059.

Vancouver

1.Hanifi Korkmaz, Sevilay Hançer Tecimer, Pınar Tekin, Yasin Tok. Scenario-based recognition of possible childhood hearing loss among experienced preschool teachers working with children aged 3-6 years. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 Sep. 1;9(5):1445-52. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1993059