From Communication Breakdown to the Evolution of Parent–Child Bond Investments in the Context of Acquired Hearing Impairment in Cameroonian Children

Acquired hearing impairment in children raised in hearing families profoundly affects family relationships, particularly the parent–child bond, by disrupting established modes of communication. This study aims to examine the impact of communication breakdown on the parent–child relationship in the context of acquired hearing impairment during childhood, with a focus on the evolution of relational investments within the dyad. Using a qualitative case study approach, four semi-structured interviews were conducted with two Cameroonian families, each composed of hearing parents and a child who acquired hearing impairment in early childhood. Participants were recruited from a specialized school for children with hearing impairment in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Data were analyzed through thematic content analysis. The findings indicate that communication barriers constitute the core source of relational suffering within the parent–child dyad. These difficulties destabilize relational investments, which tend to fluctuate between objectal and narcissistic forms depending on situational challenges. Parents experience feelings of helplessness and frustration, while children express emotional distress through withdrawal or behavioral agitation. This study highlights the central role of communication in maintaining relational stability and underscores the need for psychosocial and communicational support for families confronted with acquired childhood hearing impairment, particularly in sociocultural contexts marked by limited access to sign language resources.