Tele-Audiology: Current State and Future Directions

D'Onofrio, Kristen L.; Zeng, Fan‐Gang

doi:10.3389/fdgth.2021.788103

Cited by 45 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 89 publications

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“…In the last decade, there have been significant efforts to improve access to hearing healthcare services ( Blazer et al, 2016 ). They include mobile health applications for promotion, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and support for hearing loss ( Frisby et al, 2021 ), tele-audiology services such as home-based otoscopy, online hearing screenings, and remote hearing aid fittings ( D’Onofrio & Zeng, 2022 ), as well as computational audiology ( Wasmann et al, 2021 ). Computational audiology can be used to expand telehealth by incorporating clinical expertise into algorithms that can be employed on devices used by patients in underserved areas ( Wasmann et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing Hearing Help-Seeking and Hearing Aid Uptake in Adults: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade

et al. 2023

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This systematic review examined the audiological and nonaudiological factors that influence hearing help-seeking and hearing aid uptake in adults with hearing loss based on the literature published during the last decade. Peer-reviewed articles published between January 2011 and February 2022 were identified through systematic searches in electronic databases CINAHL, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE. The review was conducted and reported according to the PRISMA protocol. Forty-two articles met the inclusion criteria. Seventy (42 audiological and 28 nonaudiological) hearing help-seeking factors and 159 (93 audiological and 66 nonaudiological) hearing aid uptake factors were investigated with many factors reported only once (10/70 and 62/159, respectively). Hearing aid uptake had some strong predictors (e.g., hearing sensitivity) with others showing conflicting results (e.g., self-reported health). Hearing help-seeking had clear nonpredictive factors (e.g., education) and conflicting factors (e.g., self-reported health). New factors included cognitive anxiety associated with increased help-seeking and hearing aid uptake and urban residency and access to financial support with hearing aid uptake. Most studies were rated as having a low level of evidence (67%) and fair quality (86%). Effective promotion of hearing help-seeking requires more research evidence. Investigating factors with conflicting results and limited evidence is important to clarify what factors support help-seeking and hearing aid uptake in adults with hearing loss. These findings can inform future research and hearing health promotion and rehabilitation practices.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Influencing Hearing Help-Seeking and Hearing Aid Uptake in Adults: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade

et al. 2023

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“…The internet's speed and bandwidth affect various aspects of tele-audiology implementation, including test selection, technique and model of service delivery 52 . The use of broadband connectivity and undersea cables was reported to be useful by implementers, yet there seems to be a continued challenge in maintaining robust connections for the purpose of tele-audiological tests in remote/rural locations 53 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementation components and factors that influence the provision of tele-audiology services for children and adults - a mixed-methods approach

Ramkumar

Shankar

2022

Preprint

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Background Tele-audiology has accelerated with the rapid advancement in information and communication technology. There is a significant knowledge gap concerning the use of implementation science and factors influencing tele-audiology as a routine or long-term, sustained effort. This mixed-methods study aimed to identify implementation factors that influence the provision of tele-audiology services. Method We carried out a mixed-methods study comprising a scoping review and semi-structured interviews (SSI). Articles describing tele-audiology were included based on a set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results Data was extracted from 32 studies that were mapped to 21 projects in tele-audiology. The broad areas of focus identified in tele-audiology included the provision of hearing screening, diagnostic evaluation, a combination of diagnostic audiological with otorhinolaryngological evaluation, hearing aid fitting and programming, cochlear implant fitting and mapping, aural re/habilitation services and comprehensive audiological services. Provision of diagnostic and therapeutic services were predominantly carried out using synchronous/ real-time telepractice methods. Asynchronous methods were used predominantly for audiometric screening, video-otoscopy and tympanometry. The most commonly used model was the ‘professional-facilitator-patient’ followed by the ‘professional-patient’ model. Barriers to long-term sustainability included insufficient initial financial investment, lack of reimbursement policies, limited internet (speed and bandwidth), and lack of organisational policies and uniform laws. Successful implementation was reported to be aided by having a stable source of funding, a devoted team of professionals and technicians with defined roles and duties, and with methodical planning. Conclusion The scoping review, as well as the interviewees, represented tele-audiology implementation efforts in a wide range of countries that include low-middle income and high-income nations. Successful implementation was reported to be aided by having a stable source of funding, a devoted team of professionals and technicians with defined roles and duties, and with methodical planning. Sustained implementation occurred when the need and usefulness of tele-audiology were accepted by public sector policy-makers. However, a more accurate understanding of sustainability can be obtained by the use of implementation science and frameworks to guide tele-audiology services.

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“…This can include identification and management of hearing loss, screening for associated health conditions (e.g., dementia) and providing advocacy and guidance on assistive devices and services that are rarely addressed by other health care providers. Integrated care models offer an avenue for hearing health professionals to collaborate more closely with primary care providers ( D'Onofrio & Zeng, 2022 ; Weinstein, 2015 ). This model of care has been used widely in behavioral health and for the management of other types of disabilities, notably intellectual and developmental disabilities and Deaf signers ( Ervin et al, 2014 ; Panzer et al, 2020 ; Reiter et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Ways Hearing Health Professionals Can Promote Greater Health...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hearing health professionals will need to work closely with manufacturers to ensure that instructions for over-the-counter hearing aids and devices are clearly described, including how and when to see hearing aid specialists. Access to these specialists will require an expansion of tele-audiology and a push for new reimbursement models ( D'Onofrio & Zeng, 2022 ).…”

Section: Ways Hearing Health Professionals Can Promote Greater Health...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Reframing Our Health Care System for Patients With Hearing Loss

McKee

James

Helm

et al. 2022

J Speech Lang Hear Res

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Purpose: Nearly 20% of U.S. Americans report a hearing loss, yet our current health care system is poorly designed and equipped to effectively care for these individuals. Individuals with hearing loss report communication breakdowns, inaccessible health information, reduced awareness and training by health care providers, and decreased satisfaction while struggling with inadequate health literacy. These all contribute to health inequities and increased health care expenditures and inefficiencies. It is time to reframe the health care system for these individuals using existing models of best practices and accessibility to mitigate inequities and improve quality of care. Method: A review of system-, clinic-, provider-, and patient-level barriers, along with existing and suggested efforts to improve care for individuals with hearing loss, are presented. Results: These strategies include improving screening and identification of hearing loss, adopting universal design and inclusion principles, implementing effective communication approaches, leveraging assistive technologies and training, and diversifying a team to better care for patients with hearing loss. Patients should also be encouraged to seek social support and resources from hearing loss organizations while leveraging technologies to help facilitate communication. Conclusions: The strategies described introduce actionable steps that can be made at the system, clinic, provider, and patient levels. With implementation of these steps, significant progress can be made to more proactively meet the needs of patients with hearing loss.

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Tele-Audiology: Current State and Future Directions

Cited by 45 publications

References 89 publications

Factors Influencing Hearing Help-Seeking and Hearing Aid Uptake in Adults: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade

Factors Influencing Hearing Help-Seeking and Hearing Aid Uptake in Adults: A Systematic Review of the Past Decade

Implementation components and factors that influence the provision of tele-audiology services for children and adults - a mixed-methods approach

Reframing Our Health Care System for Patients With Hearing Loss

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