Objective: To explore the utilisation, safety, cost, and patient outcomes of delivering tele-audiology services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design: A national cross-sectional self-report online survey asking participants to reflect on interactions with hearing services between April and October 2020. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The COM-B model of behaviour change guided survey creation and the presentation of a subset of the results.
Study Sample: 249 Australia-based hearing healthcare clinicians (age range 23-74 years; 162 female).
Results: Clinicians reported an increase in the use of tele-audiology services, with key drivers relating to keeping their patients safe and keeping businesses running. Clinicians generally viewed the provision of tele-audiology services as successful and resulting in improved patient outcomes. Overall, clinicians were highly motivated to provide tele-audiology services, and they expressed being confident in their knowledge and understanding of tele-audiology service delivery. Barriers to providing tele-audiology services included concerns about the reliability of the results obtained from remote assessments, as well as concerns around information security and privacy issues.
Conclusions: Clinicians' motivations to use tele-audiology services appeared to be driven by their desire to maintain COVID-safe practices during the pandemic and by the COVID-driven increase in availability of funding for tele-audiology services.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2022.2128446 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
The Influence of Remote Hearing Aid Adjustment Technology on the Current Practice of Tele-Audiology among Audiologists in Malaysia.
J Am Acad Audiol
July 2024
Audiology Program, Centre for Rehabilitation and Special Needs (iCaRehab), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Objective: Many hearing aid manufacturers have developed application programs that allow audiologists to fine-tune or adjust their patients' hearing aids remotely. This study aims to explore audiologists' experiences in using the remote hearing aid adjustment in Malaysia.
Method: This is a qualitative research design where focus group discussions among audiologists were held.
Uncovering the effects of pandemic conditions on hearing aid experiences: a dual perspective from audiologists and hearing aid users.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol
October 2024
Department of Communication Science & Disorders, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USA.
This study examines the effects of the pandemic on hearing aid experiences from the perspectives of audiologists and patients, as well as communication challenges faced by both users and non-users of hearing aids. The study consisted of two phases: a longitudinal study examining the services provided by audiologists during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and after the first vaccination dose. The second phase involved a survey of 120 elderly individuals with hearing loss, divided into hearing aid users and non-users for assessing communication challenges.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEvaluating the feasibility of a tele-diagnostic auditory brainstem response service in a rural context.
S Afr J Commun Disord
July 2024
Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria.
Article Synopsis
- In South Africa, many rural areas have trouble accessing audiology services, making it hard for people to get the help they need for hearing problems.
- The study tested whether hearing tests done in a mobile clinic van are just as good as in-person tests for infants in a rural area.
- Results showed that the mobile tests gave similar results to the in-person tests, meaning mobile clinics could help more babies get hearing care in the countryside.
Investigation of the applicability of internet-based approach to subjective tinnitus.
Acta Otolaryngol
April 2024
Department of Audiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Lokman Hekim University, Ankara, Turkey.
Background: To ensure that subjective tinnitus patients develop positive attitudes toward tele-audiology.
Aims/objectives: This study investigates the appropriateness of the internet-based software in patients with subjective tinnitus.
Material And Methods: Patients between the ages of 19 and 59 applying to the clinic with the subjective tinnitus filled in Tinnitus Handicap Index (THI) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS).
Family-Perceived Barriers and Facilitators Toward a Tele-Audiology Infant Diagnostic Testing Approach in Victoria, Australia.
Telemed J E Health
June 2024
Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
Universal newborn hearing screening programs allow for early identification of congenital hearing loss. However, some families experience difficulties accessing diagnostic audiology services following a refer screen result. This study aimed to assess the opinions of families who had experienced infant diagnostic audiology assessments regarding a telehealth option for these appointments within Victoria, Australia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!