Audiology Care Research Articles

Parents' Perceptions of the Factors Influencing the Uptake of Remote Pediatric Hearing Aid Support: Development of a Conceptual Framework.

To achieve effective integration of virtual care into family-centered audiology practices, participatory research methods, including parents as vital participants in the delivery of pediatric audiology care, should be considered. A better understanding of the barriers and facilitators influencing the adoption of virtual care for families is warranted. This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework of the factors perceived to influence the adoption of remote pediatric hearing aid support among the parents of children with hearing loss. A total of 12 parents of children who wear hearing aids, between the ages of 0-17 years, were recruited to participate in group or individual interviews as part of the 6-step participatory-based concept mapping (CM) process. Data collection was specific to parents in a Canadian context. Analyses included multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. The CM process resulted in 6 main themes, displayed in a cluster map according to their order of importance. These themes include access to timely, consistent care; technology considerations; convenience; child engagement; cost; and partnership considerations. Key underlying statements and subthemes are highlighted per theme. Findings from this study demonstrate the use of CM in participatory research with parents and as part of a family-centered care model. Future research should aim to investigate the factors that influence the uptake of remote hearing aid support in different contexts, for example, in low- to middle-income countries versus those in high-income countries.

Violência intrafamiliar e fonoaudiologia: uma análise do conteúdo

ABSTRACT Purpose to analyze the difficulties and facilities reported by Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology in cases of domestic violence against children and/or adolescents. Methods cross-sectional research, carried out through the application of questionnaires with speech therapists from Paraná and Santa Catarina. Professionals from the clinical field who assisted children and adolescents were included, and speech therapists who only assisted adults and the elderly were excluded. The data were explored through the Content Analysis methodology. Results 75 Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology were included, 70.7% from Paraná and 29.3% from Santa Catarina. Of the participants, 52% assisted children and/or adolescents with suspected or confirmed cases of violence. In the content analysis, the results were allocated on a single axis subdivided into three thematic sub-axes: 1.1 professionals who did not report difficulties or facilities, sub-axis 1.2 the facilities and sub-axis 1.3 the difficulties. Conclusion The facilities of the Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology in caring for victims of child and youth intrafamily violence are related to a good therapeutic bond between the patient and/or family members and adequate multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary and network work. The difficulties in Speech and Language Pathology and Audiology care for children and adolescents victims of violence are related to the dialogue with the family, the support bodies, the frequency of the patient, the elaboration of therapeutic strategies, and the lack of professional and psychological preparation of the speech therapist.

Implementação do modelo híbrido da teleaudiologia: aceitação, viabilidade e satisfação em um programa de implante coclear

ABSTRACT Purpose This article aims to describe the incorporation of teleaudiology in the routine of a highly regarded, government funded, cochlear implantation program and evaluate the satisfaction of users and their families with hybrid assistance. Methods Actions were developed that provided the connection between users and specialists, through the hybrid model of teleaudiology, combining remote practices (synchronous/asynchronous) with face-to-face care. To check patient satisfaction with teleaudiology, the Customer Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ) was applied. Results 218 remote appointments and 23 other presential attendances were coordinated, between teleconsultations, guidance and counseling; parent coaching and hearing rehabilitation validation, therapy; troubleshooting, cochlear implant first activations and mappings, intra-operative measures, teleconsultations with specialists and delivery of repaired electronic devices. Of the participants, 36 patients responded to the questionnaire and reported being very satisfied with the services provided in general or in large part (88.9%) and with the amount of care they received (72.2%).This study suggested that, at some point during the pandemic, most patients had their needs met using teleaudiology long term care. Conclusion The hybrid approach to audiology care was feasible, accepted and achieved user satisfaction.

Relief, Development, Empowerment Part Three: Looking at the Larger Picture Amidst a Global Pandemic

Relief, Development, Empowerment Part Three: Looking at the Larger Picture Amidst a Global Pandemic

Expanding the Role of Educational Audiologists After a Failed Newborn Hearing Screening: A Quality Improvement Study.

Purpose Lack of timely and proximal access to diagnostic hearing evaluation using auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing hampers the effectiveness of Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs in the United States. This study measured the impact of a state-based quality-improvement (QI) project that provided diagnostic ABR equipment and training to educational audiologists distributed throughout Iowa in regional special education centers. Method We used de-identified administrative data generated by the state EHDI program to analyze markers of access to early hearing health care for infants in a preproject condition ("Baseline") compared to the implementation of diagnostic ABRs at the regional special education centers ("QI Project"). Results Our findings revealed that the QI Project was associated with improvements in timeliness of first hearing evaluation, distance traveled for first hearing evaluation, and likelihood of receiving on-guideline audiology care during the first hearing evaluation. Conclusions Following the onset of the QI Project, infants and their families had greater access to initial hearing evaluation after failed newborn hearing screening. This improvement could have cascading effects on timeliness of later intervention among those with confirmed permanent childhood hearing loss.

IManage Program: Decision Coaching Guide to Promote Audiology Care

iManage Program: Decision Coaching Guide to Promote Audiology Care

Telehealth in audiology: an integrative review

We performed an integrative review on the scientific literature about the use of telehealth in audiology care. Through high criteria search of published studies on the "Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde" - Virtual Health Library, PubMed, and Scientific Electronic Library Online databases, nine articles were selected. It was possible to verify that the use of telehealth in audiology is feasible and efficient, because it could promote audiological care for patients from away places. This process reaches more patients and communities by breaking down geographic barriers, and it offers a specific service not available with less cost and more quickly when compared with traditional speech therapy care.

Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Care in the COVID-19 Era: Shared Experiences

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly altered the global health-care system and stretched scarce resources to the limit. Resource limitations include personal protective equipment and medical devices; however, limited resources also include the more valuable health-care professional. Recent focus has been on the acute management of COVID-19. Still, there is a need to focus on the long-term rehabilitation of patients moving out of the acute treatment phase and into survivorship due to chronic respiratory concerns and other COVID-19 complications. Multidisciplinary, collaborative teams will support positive outcomes. Thus, speech-language pathologists too must carefully consider their role in patient care during a global pandemic. What makes the COVID-19 pandemic unique is the rapid minimally mitigated spread of the disease from close contact to most regions of the world. However, what appears to be true is a collective experience and common bond across regional borders. Conclusions Perhaps, this global pandemic may lead to a global partnership, a shared experience, and mutually dependent relationships. Global health is no longer “international service” or something that happens “over there”; global health is our reality.

Earlier Intervention for Medically Fragile Pediatric Inpatient Population

Earlier Intervention for Medically Fragile Pediatric Inpatient Population

The Development of an Internet-Based Decision Coaching Guide to Encourage Audiology Care: The Results of a Participatory Design Approach.

Purpose The purpose of the research described here is to create a theoretically based, interactive online program to motivate adults with untreated hearing loss to seek audiology care. We describe the results of the participatory design (PD) approach used to increase uptake and adherence to the Internet-based program. Method Using information gathered from field experts (n = 7), a program outline was generated by the study team. In keeping with PD principles, multiple focus groups and panels consisting of persons with hearing loss (n = 26), frequent communication partners (n = 6), audiologists (n = 9), and other area experts (n = 16) revised and expanded both content and design of the program in an iterative fashion. Results The proposed program was modified multiple times based on the input of stakeholders throughout the PD process. In particular, the scope of the program shifted from focusing on self-management strategies to decision coaching regarding the choice to visit an audiologist. Other specific program content and activities were modified based on stakeholder input. Conclusions The program evolved dramatically through the influence and input of multiple stakeholders as a result of the implementation of PD principles.

Digital Proficiency and Teleaudiology: Key Implications in Hearing Care

Digital Proficiency and Teleaudiology: Key Implications in Hearing Care

Implementing a Hybrid Model of Online and In-person Audiology Care

Implementing a Hybrid Model of Online and In-person Audiology Care

Qualitative Analysis of Patient Perspectives on Vestibular Testing

Qualitative Analysis of Patient Perspectives on Vestibular Testing

Family Involvement in Adult Audiology Appointments

Family Involvement in Adult Audiology Appointments

Resale Product and Accessory Opportunities for Audiology Practices.

Patients need and/or want access to any number of products, including consumables and durable goods, and accessories as part of their audiology care. Audiologists have an opportunity to offer products and accessories for resale from their clinical office. Several methods for reselling items to established patients including an overview of an ecommerce approach successfully implemented by several individual audiology private practices will be reviewed. Upon completion, readers will be familiar with the general steps for incorporating an e-shop within an existing business Web site. Additionally, insights as to effective tactics for generating e-shop revenue will be shared.

Fostering Family Engagement in Audiology Care

Fostering Family Engagement in Audiology Care

Hearing the Need for College Prep

Hearing the Need for College Prep

Clients’ perspective on quality of audiology care: Development of the Consumer Quality Index (CQI) ‘Audiology Care’ for measuring client experiences

Objective: Clients’ perspective on the quality of audiology care has not been investigated thoroughly. Research has focused primarily on satisfaction with, and limitations of hearing aids. We developed a Consumer Quality Index (CQI) questionnaire ‘Audiology Care’ to systematically assess client experiences with audiology care. Design: The CQI Audiology Care was developed in three steps: (1) posing open-ended questions through e-mail (n = 14), (2) two small-scale surveys assessing psychometric properties of the questionnaire (n = 188) and importance of quality aspects (n = 118), and (3) a large-scale survey (n = 1793) assessing psychometric properties and discriminatory power of the questionnaire. Study sample: People with complex hearing impairments and/or balance and communicative disorders who visited an audiology care centre during the past year. Results: Important quality aspects were translated into seven reliable scales: accommodation and facilities, employees’ conduct and expertise, arrangement of appointments, waiting times, client participation and effectiveness of treatment. Client experiences differed among the participating centres concerning accommodation and facilities, arrangement of appointments, waiting times and client participation. Conclusion: The CQI Audiology Care is a valid and reliable instrument to assess clients’ experiences with audiology care. Future implementation will reveal whether results can be used to monitor and improve the quality of audiology care.

How to Increase Access to Pediatric Audiology Care

How to Increase Access to Pediatric Audiology Care

Medical Ministry International and Ears Inc. Bring Audiology Care to Dominican Republic

Medical Ministry International and Ears Inc. Bring Audiology Care to Dominican Republic