PloS oneDiana Tang, Jessica Turner, Ugochukwu Eze, John Newall, Kompal Sinha, Carolyn Mee, Claudia Odello, Andrew Blaikie, Bamini Gopinath
INTRODUCTION: There is a high prevalence of undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss among older adults. Due to finite resources, task shifting to trained non-specialists is a strategy to improve equity of access to hearing health care. This pilot study aims to implement and evaluate a novel model of hearing care known as the SOUND-BITES program. This will leverage evidence-based mobile health technologies (Arclight otoscopy and Sound Scouts hearing screening app) and partnerships with Meals on Wheels New South Wales and Master of Clinical Audiology students. METHODS: SOUND-BITES provides a hearing health assessment involving otoscopy using Arclight, hearing screening using the Sound Scouts tablet-based app, and hearing health education to consenting Meals on Wheels clients and their household members. Volunteers from Meals on Wheels and audiology students will be trained to deliver the screening, education and referral components of this program. This pilot study utilises a mixed-methods approach to evaluation. The primary outcomes are program acceptability and feasibility; and secondary outcomes are actions taken by clients to address hearing loss, changes in hearing handicap and cost-benefits six months after program completion. Quantitative data will be collected from a pre- and post-program survey, and qualitative data from an optional post-program interview with clients and volunteers. Findings from the project will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conferences as well as to relevant communities including the Meals on Wheels network.
Vestnik otorinolaringologiiL E Golovanova, S S Chibisova, M Yu Boboshko, E R Tsygankova, G Sh Tufatulin
UNLABELLED: Work time management is an important aspect in organizing medical care. Current regulations do not establish recommended time limits for audiologists. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the time spent on audiologist's appointments and performing various diagnostic and rehabilitation procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: At the City Audiology Center for Adults (St Petersburg), a time estimate was conducted for 10 audiologists who performed various medical diagnostic and rehabilitation audiology services. RESULTS: The advisability of standardizing audiologist's appointment duration to 30 minutes was established (for adult patients, without an instrumental audiological assessment or 60 minutes if an assessment (pure tone audiometry, acoustic impedance, otoacoustic emissions) is included). The results of medical appointments for diagnostic tests (acoustic impedance, speech audiometry, nasopharyngeal endoscopy, otoacoustic emissions, auditory brainstem response (ABR), ASSR, central auditory processing disorders tests, and vestibular tests) and rehabilitation interventions (hearing aid issuance, selection, or fitting of hearing aids) are determined. CONCLUSION: The obtained data can be used for inclusion in specialized regulatory documents governing the activities of audiologists and otolaryngologists.
Journal of health care for the poor and underservedPaul M Evitts, Carrie Reichwein, Ellie Blackburn, Britley Brubaker, Grace Coppersmith, Gabby Deitrich
Rural populations face distinctive challenges that may hinder their ability to access health services, including speech-language pathology and audiology. To address this, our speech-language pathology program partnered with local agencies and traveled to neighboring rural communities to provide speech and hearing services in central Pennsylvania for a minimal investment.
International journal of audiologyMustafa Yüksel, Şengül Terlemez, Merve Bayri Ulukan, Ahmet Fevzi Parlak
OBJECTIVE: This mixed-methods study explores audiologists' perspectives on remote programming (RP) for cochlear implants (CIs) and compares patient satisfaction between initial activation and follow-up sessions. DESIGN: A mixed-methods approach combined qualitative interviews with audiologists and a survey of CI users. Thematic analysis was applied to interview data, and survey responses were analysed descriptively and comparatively. STUDY SAMPLE: Six experienced audiologists participated in semi-structured interviews, while 136 CI users (44 initial activation, 92 follow-up) completed satisfaction surveys. RESULTS: Audiologist interviews revealed four key themes: RP advantages, implementation challenges, technical requirements, and professional satisfaction. Survey data showed significantly higher satisfaction among follow-up users across seven of eight items. Both groups rated technical quality and communication highly, but follow-up users reported greater ease, confidence, and willingness to use RP again. CONCLUSION: RP is a viable alternative for CI programming, particularly for follow-ups, while initial activations pose unique challenges best managed through hybrid care models. Incorporating both patient and clinician perspectives, this study underscores the need for robust infrastructure, enhanced communication strategies, and standardised professional training to ensure consistent, high-quality remote audiological care.
International journal of audiologyMohamed Rahme, Muneeb Alam, Hasan K Saleh, Paula Folkeard, Robert Koch, Steve Beaulac, Matthew Holden, Sheila Moodie, Vijay Parsa, Susan Scollie
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity, clinical utility, barriers and facilitators of the manikin-based audiometric simulator, Clinical Assistant for Research and Learning. DESIGN: The validity, clinical utility, barriers, facilitators and simulation accuracy were evaluated via an online questionnaire and in-person pure-tone audiometric assessments. STUDY SAMPLE: A total of 38 participants (age range 21-63) completed the study. All participants had formal training in pure-tone audiometric assessments. Participants were audiology students, registered practicing audiologists, hearing instrument dispensers, and undergraduate students. RESULTS: The programmed and measured audiograms had an absolute agreement within 5 decibel hearing level. Ease of use, clarity of workflow, realism, and feasibility in clinical practice were the reported facilitators, whereas cost and availability of technical support were the identified barriers to implementation. CONCLUSIONS: The manikin-based simulator was shown to be an accurate and valid tool in practicing pure-tone audiometric procedures. Clinical applications and future directions were also discussed.