Audiology
Evidence reviewed as of before 20-05-2021
Author(s): Ogourtsova, T. (PhD OT) & Osman, G. (MSc OT student)
Hearing acuity, speech, and language
We found one feasibility study (Ciccia et al., 2011) on the telerehabilitation assessments Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), Receptive-Expressive Emergent Language Test—Third Edition (REEL-3), and Screening Kit of Language and Development (SKOLD).
Purpose of assessment
The focus of DPOAE, REEL-3, and SKOLD are to evaluate screening of middle ear health (tympanometry), hearing acuity, behavioral audiometry; speech-language pathologist (SLP) assessed speech sound production (articulation), verbal expressive language, auditory receptive language, and play/social behavior.
Health discipline
DPOAE, REEL-3, and SKOLD was administered by an audiologist and speech- language pathologist.
Population
DPOAE, REEL-3, and SKOLD was administered to children (n=411) with speech, language, or hearing disorders, up to 6 years old.
Equipment & platform
- Equipment used: PC, webcam, acoustic impedance audiometer, automatic handheld otoacoustic emissions instrument, otoscope, diagnostic audiometer, and standard tympanometer
- Platform used: Skype
Face-to-face comparison
A face-to-face comparison was conducted using the same assessment (DPOAE, REEL-3, and SKOLD) in person.
Findings
- High satisfaction levels in families. Parents reported a preference for speech, language, and hearing screenings to be provided via videoconferencing during their primary care visit, rather than have a separate appointment at another facility with SLP and audiologist.
- Strong reliability for all assessments (pure tone hearing screening, DPOAE screening, and SLP screening: 100%; Reliability for tympanometry screenings: 84%).
Training required
- DPOAE: Information not found
- REEL-3: Use of an examiner manual included in REEL-3
- SKOLD: To be administered by speech-language pathologist
Reference
Ciccia, A.H., et al., Improving the access of young urban children to speech, language and hearing screening via telehealth. Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare, 2011. 17(5): p.240-244. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca/21636686/
Hearing acuity 1
We found one feasibility study (Hatton et al., 2019) on a telerehabilitation assessment Telehealth-enabled auditory-brainstem-response (TH-ABR).
Purpose of assessment
The focus of the TH-ABR is to identify hearing loss, and estimate hearing thresholds in infants under 6mo of age.
Health discipline
TH-ABR was administered by an audiologist.
Population
TH-ABR was administered to children (n=102) with hearing loss with an average age of 2.3 yrs.
Equipment & platform
- Equipment used: PC, high-definition desktop videoconferencing
- Platform used: Cisco MOVI/Jabber
Face-to-face comparison
A face-to-face comparison was conducted using the same assessment (TH-ABR) in person.
Findings
- Good cost and time-effectiveness (TH-ABR resulted in $91,250 in averted PSA travel costs)
- Significant amount of information can be obtained within the TH-ABR appointment
- Positive feedback from parents
Training required
No information found.
Reference
Hatton, J.L., et al., Telehealth-enabled auditory brainstem response testing for infants living in rural communities: the British Columbia Early Hearing Program experience. International Journal of Audiology, 2019. 58(7): p. 381-392. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca/30987477/
Hearing acuity 2
We found one AB-BA study (Hughes et al., 2018) on a telerehabilitation assessment Conditioned Play Audiometry (CPA) and Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA).
Purpose of assessment
The focus of the CPA and VRA are to evaluate hearing acuity and program cochlear implants.
Health discipline
CPA and VRA were administered by an audiologist.
Population
CPA and VRA was administered to children (n=35) with cochlear implants, aged 2-5.
Equipment & platform
- Equipment used: PC, webcam, microphone
- Platform used: Windows Remote Desktop Connection (for Windows 7)
Face-to-face comparison
A face-to-face comparison was conducted using the same assessment (CPA and VRA) in person.
Findings
No significant difference in threshold levels in f2f vs. telehealth.
Challenges:
Challenges:
- timing of communication between audiologist and test assistant
- placement of webcam at the testing site
Training required
- CPA: Completed by a certified teacher of the visually impaired.
- VRA: This test requires two appropriately trained staff and a substantial amount of practical experience to be effective.
Reference
Hughes, M.L., J.D. Sevier, and S. Choi, Techniques for Remotely Programming Children With Cochlear Implants Using Pediatric Audiological Methods via Telepractice. American Journal of Audiology, 2018. 27(3S): p.385-390. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30452743/
Hearing loss
We found one feasibility study (Hussein et al., 2018) on a telerehabilitation assessment evaluating HearScreen.
Purpose of assessment
The focus of HearScreen is to identify hearing loss and hearing threshold.
Health discipline
HearScreen was administered by an audiologist.
Population
HearScreen was administered to children (n=6424) with hearing loss, ages 3-6.
Equipment & platform
- Equipment used: Samsung smartphone, supra-aural Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones
- Platform used: HearScreen smartphone application
Face-to-face comparison
A face-to-face comparison was conducted using the same assessment (HearScreen) in person.
Findings
- Smartphone-based hearing screening can be used to detect hearing loss (results and corresponding noise levels were analyzed on the centralized cloud-based server, and indicated that only noise levels at 1 kHz had a significant effect on referral rates obtained in comparison to 2 and 4kHz test frequencies).
- Smart-phone based hearing screening can be used to detect hearing loss (feasibility) 39.4% of children attended follow-up appointment.
Training required
Not applicable.
Reference
Yousuf Hussein, S., et al., Community-based hearing screening for young children using an mHealth service-delivery model. Glob Health Action, 2018. 11(1): p.1467077. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca/29764328/
Hearing loss and hearing aid use
We found one method-comparison study (Munoz et al., 2016) on the telerehabilitation assessment Phonak Target.
Purpose of assessment
The focus of Phonak Target is to identify hearing loss and hearing aid use.
Health discipline
Phonak Target was administered by an audiologist.
Population
Phonak Target was administered to children (n=4) with hearing loss.
Equipment & platform
- Equipment used: PC (Lenovo)
- Platform used: Phonak Target application
Face-to-face comparison
A face-to-face comparison was conducted using the same assessment (Phonak Target) in person.
Findings
- Parents and audiologists were satisfied with the virtual visits, where pre-response satisfaction average among participants ranged from 3-5 points on a 5-point likert scale; mean post-responses ranged from 4.5-5 points.
- Parents felt positively about their experience, reporting tele-support was more feasible and accessible to them and their children.
- Audiologists were optimistic about providing services virtually.
Training required
No information found.
Reference
Munoz, K., et al., Paediatric hearing aid management: a demonstration project for using virtual visits to enhance parent support. International Journal of Audiology, 2017. 56(2): p. 77-84. https://pubmed-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.proxy3.library.mcgill.ca/27608520/