Teleaudiology hearing aid fitting follow-up consultations for adults : single blinded crossover randomised control trial and cohort studies
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Date
Authors
Tao, Karina F.M.
Moreira, Tais de C.
Jayakody, Dona M.P.
Swanepoel, De Wet
Brennan-Jones, Christopher G.
Coetzeea, Lize
Eikelboom, Robert H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness and quality of standard face-to-face and teleaudiology
hearing aid fitting follow-up consultations and blended services for adult hearing aid users.
DESIGN AND STUDY SAMPLE: Fifty-six participants were randomly allocated to two equal groups, with
equal numbers of new and experienced users. One standard and one teleaudiology follow-up consultation
were delivered by an audiologist, the latter assisted by a facilitator. The order was reversed for the
second group. Outcome measurement tools were applied to assess aspects of participants’ communication,
fitting (physical, sensorial), quality of life, and service. Cross-sectional and longitudinal outcomes
were analysed.
RESULTS: Most participants presented with moderate, sloping, and symmetrical sensorineural hearing loss.
The duration of teleaudiology (42.96 ± 2.73 min) was equivalent to face-to-face consultations
(41.25 ± 2.61 min). All modes of service delivery significantly improved outcomes for communication, fitting,
and quality of life (p>0.05). Satisfaction for both consultation modes was high, although significantly
greater with standard consultations. The mode and order of delivery of the consultations did not
influence the outcomes.
CONCLUSION: Teleaudiology hearing aid follow-up consultations can deliver significant improvements, and
do not differ from standard consultations. Blended services also deliver significant improvements.
Satisfaction can be negatively impacted by technical or human-related issues.
Description
Keywords
Telehealth, Hearing aids, Rehabilitation, Intervention, Health service delivery
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Karina F. M. Tao, Tais de C. Moreira, Dona M. P. Jayakody, De Wet
Swanepoel, Christopher G. Brennan-Jones, Lize Coetzee & Robert H. Eikelboom (2021)
Teleaudiology hearing aid fitting follow-up consultations for adults: single blinded crossover
randomised control trial and cohort studies, International Journal of Audiology, 60:sup1, S49-S60,
DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2020.1805804.