Making audiology work during COVID-19 and beyond

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has ushered in a new era in hearing health care that requires a radical rethinking of service delivery in audiology. Low- and no-touch services are now necessary for audiology patients—who are typically at the highest risk for COVID-19 morbidity and mortality due to their age—to access medical care. Fortunately, audiology is a technology-driven profession in terms of providing assessment and intervention, allowing unique opportunities to leverage remote and telehealth hearing care solutions. While traditional diagnostic assessment to differentiate hearing loss due to ear disease, which has a low prevalence, requires a sound-treated environment and a comprehensive test battery, a less controlled environment with fewer tests could suffice for hearing aid fittings. This means that more than 95 percent of adults with hearing loss could be served using alternative low- or no-touch models of audiological care. While very concerning, the ongoing pandemic also offers a unique opportunity to redefine and innovate how hearing health care professionals reach and serve patients in more responsive, efficient, and person-centered ways. Exploring alternative patient journeys is crucial to evolve audiology during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.