Predictors of hearing loss disability: a multinational study using the ICF core set.

Purpose: Objective audiological assessments provide valuable insights on physiological dimensions of hearing loss (HL), but not on lived experiences and functional limitations perceived by individuals. This study employed the multidimensional ICF framework to explore how demographic and diagnostic variables predict self-reported disability in adults with HL.

Method: This cross-sectional study included 571 participants from India (94), South Africa (79), Sweden (219), and the USA (179).

Hearing aid verification: Practices and perceptions of South African audiologists.

Background:  Hearing aid verification is required to objectively measure hearing aid outputs by ensuring that the amplified speech spectrum closely approximates the prescription goals.

Objectives:  This study aimed to determine audiologists' perceptions and practices regarding hearing aid verification and identify facilitators and barriers to its use.

Method:  A cross-sectional national e-survey included questions related to demographics, perceptions of verification, verification practices and two open-ended questions regarding the facilitators and barriers to conducting hearing aid verification in South Africa.

Consumer Perspectives on Improving Hearing Aids: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: Hearing aids play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of hearing loss, yet their adoption and consistent usage remains suboptimal. Understanding the hearing aid needs of individuals with hearing loss is important to support uptake, use, and outcomes. The current study describes users' perspectives on how hearing aids can be improved.

Enhancing audiology students' understanding of person-centered care: insights from an multi-national virtual student conference.

Objective: This project sought to investigate the impact of a multi-national peer learning initiative in facilitating a student-led conference on person-centred care (PCC). The primary objective was to assess students' comprehension of PCC elements before and after engaging in the opportunity, with a concurrent evaluation of the efficacy of the opportunity.

Design: A mixed-methods study protocol was followed.

Exploring facilitators and barriers for delivering person-centered care in a socio-economically diverse context: Perspectives of speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Objective: The study aimed to explore facilitators and barriers in delivering person-centered care from the perspective of speech-language pathologists and audiologists in a socio- economically diverse workplace across micro, meso, and macro levels.

Method: A national cross-sectional e-survey was conducted among pooled speech-language pathologists and/or audiologists from South Africa. The e-survey included quantitative components to describe participant demographics which was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Smartphone-Facilitated In-Situ Hearing Aid Audiometry for Community-Based Hearing Testing.

Objectives: Hearing loss prevalence is increasing, with an estimated 2.5 billion people affected globally by 2050. Scalable service delivery models using innovative technologies and task-shifting are World Health Organization priorities to improve access to hearing care, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Context-specific advancements in service delivery for communication disorders in South Africa.

No abstract available.

The Hearing Aid Effect across Diverse African Populations and Various Hearing Device Modalities.

Introduction: The stigma associated with wearing hearing aids, known as the "hearing aid effect," remains a significant issue in hearing healthcare. Despite notable changes in the look and feel of hearing aids over the last decade, little is known about the influence of socioeconomic factors on the perception of different hearing devices in a socioeconomically diverse setting. Therefore, the objective of the study is to determine the hearing aid effect across a range of hearing devices and its association with socioeconomic factors, namely, area of residence and level of education across African communities.

Factors Associated With Hearing Aid Outcomes Including Social Networks, Self-Reported Mental Health, and Service Delivery Models.

Purpose: This study aims to identify and describe factors that influence hearing aid outcomes including social networks, self-reported mental health, and service delivery models.

Method: A prospective cross-sectional online survey was sent to hearing aid users recruited through an online platform (http://www.hearingtracker.

Mobile Health Hearing Aid Acclimatization and Support Program in Low-Income Communities: Feasibility Study.

Background: The most common management option for hearing loss is hearing aids. In addition to devices, patients require information and support, including maintenance and troubleshooting. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies can support hearing aid management, acclimatization, and use.

Person-centered care: preferences and predictors in speech-language pathology and audiology practitioners.

Introduction: Increasingly person-centered care (PCC) is being recognized as an important aspect of speech-language pathology and audiology (SLP/A) service delivery. This study aimed to (i) identify preferences toward PCC; (ii) determine predictors of these preferences; and (iii) describe the understanding and views of PCC among SLP/A in South Africa.

Methods: A mixed-method design was followed utilizing an online survey and four focus group discussions.

In pursuit of best practice through contextually relevant, accountable and responsive research.

No abstract available.

Audiologists' Perceptions of Hearing Healthcare Resources and Services in South Africa's Public Healthcare System.

Background: Hearing loss poses a significant burden globally. Its prevalence is exceptionally high in countries across the African region, where healthcare resources and services remain inaccessible. This study aimed to describe audiologists' perceptions regarding hearing healthcare resources and services within South Africa's public healthcare system.

mHealth-Supported Hearing Health Training for Early Childhood Development Practitioners: An Intervention Study.

(1) Hearing health training and promotion is a priority for early childhood development (ECD) practitioners, but training opportunities are limited, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). mHealth (mobile health) has the potential to deliver scalable ear and hearing training to ECD practitioners. (2) This study investigated the effect of an mHealth training intervention program for ECD practitioners to improve knowledge and perceptions of hearing health in young children.

Community-based adult hearing care provided by community healthcare workers using mHealth technologies.

Background: The rising prevalence of hearing loss is a global health concern. Professional hearing services are largely absent within low- and middle-income countries where appropriate skills are lacking. Task-shifting to community healthcare workers (CHWs) supported by mHealth technologies is an important strategy to address the problem.

Remote Monitoring of Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients Using Digits-in-Noise Self-Testing.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the uptake and scope of telehealth. This study determined the accuracy and reliability of a smartphone digits-in-noise (DIN) test when conducted by adult cochlear implant (CI) recipients in a simulated home environment compared with a clinic setup. Perceptions of remote monitoring using speech-in-noise (SIN) testing were also explored.

Satisfaction with hearing assessment feedback using the My Hearing Explained tool: client and audiologist perceptions.

Objective: To determine the perceived satisfaction and understanding of hearing assessment feedback, using the Ida My Hearing Explained Tool (IMHET), compared to the standard audiogram reported by adult clients and audiologists.

Design: This study is a mixed-method design comparing clients and audiologists' perceptions through a single-blinded, randomised control trial and focus group discussions. After using either the audiogram or IMHET for feedback, clients and audiologists completed the adapted Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ).

m-Health Applications for Hearing Loss: A Scoping Review.

Mobile health (m-health) has the potential to improve access and uptake of health services globally. Noncommunicable diseases such as hearing loss have seen increasing use of m-health approaches to improve access, scalability, penetration, quality, and convenience of health services. This scoping review describes published research in m-health supported hearing health care services across the continuum of care.

Improving the Efficiency of the Digits-in-Noise Hearing Screening Test: A Comparison Between Four Different Test Procedures.

Purpose: This study compared the test characteristics, test-retest reliability, and test efficiency of three novel digits-in-noise (DIN) test procedures to a conventional antiphasic 23-trial adaptive DIN (D23).

Method: One hundred twenty participants with an average age of 42 years ( = 19) were included. Participants were tested and retested with four different DIN procedures.

Speech Recognition in Noise Using Binaural Diotic and Antiphasic Digits-in-Noise in Children: Maturation and Self-Test Validity.

Background: Digits-in-noise (DIN) tests have become popular for hearing screening over the past 15 years. Several recent studies have highlighted the potential utility of DIN as a school-aged hearing test. However, age may influence test performance in children due to maturation.