Service delivery approaches related to hearing aids in low- and middle-income countries or resource-limited settings: A systematic scoping review.

Hearing loss is an important global public health issue which can be alleviated through treatment with hearing aids. However, most people who would benefit from hearing aids do not receive them, in part due to challenges in accessing hearing aids and related services, which are most salient in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and other resource-limited settings. Innovative approaches for hearing aid service delivery can overcome many of the challenges related to access, including that of limited human resources trained to provide ear and hearing care.

One-eartip solution for pure-tone audiometry and acoustic immittance measurements: using insert earphone with an immittance probe ear tip.

Objective: Two consecutive studies sought to determine the (1) Equivalent Threshold Sound Pressure Levels (ETSPLs) and, (2) real ear attenuation thresholds (REAT) for the KUDUwave earcup configured with an insert earphone using a typical immittance probe tip (TPT).

Design: (1) Hearing thresholds were measured for frequencies 125 to 8000 Hz using the TPT. ETSPLs were calculated in an IEC 60318-4 occluded ear simulator.

Ethics and Etiquette in Humanitarian Engagement-101.

As the travel industry continues to grow, so does the creation and proliferation of voluntourism opportunities offered to individuals who want to impact the lives of populations due to adversities or misfortunes of war, weather, or poverty. A more popular form of tourism for individuals to volunteer professional or personal expertise in a chartable manner is often termed "voluntourism." Unquestionably, there is a lure to volunteer for a short-term experience in exotic lands with the hopes of improving living conditions.

Objective and perceptual comparisons of two bluetooth hearing aid assistive devices.

Purpose: With the advent of Bluetooth technology, many of the assistive listening devices for hearing have become manufacturer specific, with little objective information about the performance provided.

Method: Thirty native English-speaking adults (mean age 29.8) with normal hearing were tested pseudo-randomly with two major hearing aid manufacturers' proprietary Bluetooth connectivity devices paired to the accompanying manufacturer's specific hearing aids.

Pure-tone audiometry outside a sound booth using earphone attentuation, integrated noise monitoring, and automation.

Objective: Accessibility of audiometry is hindered by the cost of sound booths and shortage of hearing health personnel. This study investigated the validity of an automated mobile diagnostic audiometer with increased attenuation and real-time noise monitoring for clinical testing outside a sound booth.

Design: Attenuation characteristics and reference ambient noise levels for the computer-based audiometer (KUDUwave) was evaluated alongside the validity of environmental noise monitoring.

Technology for hearing loss--as We Know it, and as We Dream it.

Purpose: Worldwide demand for accessible hearing health technology continues to increase while the numbers of hearing healthcare specialists are grossly inadequate to meet this demand. Proliferation of innovative technology and the advent of greater access to global connectivity are providing an opportunity to identify and harness new resources that may change current audiological service delivery methods to maximize access, efficiency and impact.

Methods: By searching through the most current literature and engaging in discussions with industry experts, it is possible to identify avenues that could increase services to those who have hearing loss with innovative healthcare technology.

Telehealth in audiology: the need and potential to reach underserved communities.

Permanent hearing loss is a leading global health care burden, with 1 in 10 people affected to a mild or greater degree. A shortage of trained healthcare professionals and associated infrastructure and resource limitations mean that hearing health services are unavailable to the majority of the world population. Utilizing information and communication technology in hearing health care, or tele-audiology, combined with automation offer unique opportunities for improved clinical care, widespread access to services, and more cost-effective and sustainable hearing health care.

Hearing loss in Mozambique: current data from Inhambane Province.

Mozambique is a developing African country recuperating from a lengthy civil war. As a result, documenting the incidence of hearing loss has remained a low priority. This paper provides results from work being carried out by the Mozambique Audiology Program (MAP), which is a philanthropic effort established in 1997 to introduce audiology services and identify auditory disorders in the country.

Effect of ear canal occlusion on pure-tone threshold sensitivity.

This study sought to quantify the effects of varying the degree of ear canal occlusion on pure-tone threshold sensitivity. Thresholds were obtained from each ear of five normal-hearing adults without occlusion, with complete occlusion, and with partial occlusion estimated to be 40-60% and 60-80%. A commercial lubricant was used in the completely occluded condition to eliminate possible acoustic leakage.

Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome: a case study.

A 23-month-old female was referred for hearing aid fitting after failing newborn hearing screening and being diagnosed with significant hearing loss through subsequent diagnostic testing. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and behavioral testing revealed a moderate-to-severe bilateral mixed hearing loss. Prior to the hearing aid evaluation, tympanostomy tubes had been placed bilaterally with little or no apparent change in hearing sensitivity.