Hattonet al.1010. Hatton JL, Rowlandson J, Beers A, Small S. Telehealth-enabled auditory brainstem response testing for infants living in rural communities: the British Columbia Early Hearing Program experience. Int J Audiol. 2019;58(7):381-92.https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2019.1584681 https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2019.15...
, 2019, Canada |
Cross-sectional |
To describe the design/implementation of a telehealth-enabled auditory brain stem response (TH-ABR) program; summarize equipment/procedures; report the results of the TH-ABR program. |
TH-ABR is efficient, accurate, valued by parents, optimizes the availability of audiology resources, creates local servicecapacity, and reduces costs for communities in Northern British Columbia. |
Schepers et al.1111. Schepers K, Steinhoff HJ, Ebenhoch H, Böck K, Bauer K, Rupprecht L, et al. Remote programming of cochlear implants in users of all ages. Acta Otolaryngol. 2019;139(3):251-7.https://doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2018.1554264 https://doi.org/10.1080/00016489.2018.15...
, 2019, Germany |
Cross-sectional |
To evaluate the safety and feasibility of remote programming in cochlear implant (CI) users for all ages. |
Remote tracking adjustment is safe, feasible, and effective for local adjustment for CI users. A more extensive adoption of remote adjustment can allow many CI users greater acces to clinics and greater benefits from the use of CI |
Samelli et al.1818. Samelli AG, Rabelo CM, Sanches SGG, Martinho AC, Matas CG. Tablet-based tele-audiometry: automated hearing screening for schoolchildren. J Telemed Telecare. 2020;26(3):140-9. https://doi.org/10.1 177/1357633X18800856 https://doi.org/10.1 177/1357633X1880085...
, 2018, Brazil |
Accuracy study |
To evaluate the performance of a tablet-based teleaudiometry method for automated hearing screening of schoolchildren by comparing the results of various hearing screening approaches |
The highest diagnostic values were generally obtained by the automated method of hearing screening (including 500 Hz). The application, developed for the tablet, proved to be a valuable hearing screening tool for use in schoolchildren. Therefore, we suggest that this hearing screening protocol has the potential to improve the provision of asynchronous teleaudiology services. |
Monica et al.1212. Monica SD, Ramkumar V, Krumm M, Raman N, Nagarajan R, Venkatesh L. School entry level tele-hearing screening in a town in South India - Lessons learnt. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;92:130-5.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2016.11.021 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2016.11...
, 2016, India |
Cross-sectional |
To evaluate the feasibility of school hearing screening using telehealth technology operated by a professional located in a hospital 400 km away. |
Synchronous hearing screening can be provided in schools using mobile device hotspots or dongle connectivity in places where Internet bandwidth is restricted. |
Pross et al.1414. Pross SE, Bourne AL, Cheung SW. TeleAudiology in the veterans health administration. Otol Neurotol. 2016;37(7):847-50. https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000001058 https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.000000000000...
, 2016, United States |
Case–control, retrospective |
To evaluate the effectiveness of teleaudiology (TA) for hearing aid services. |
Assistance through TA and conventional care to provide hearing aid services to veterans is comparable, as both are highly effective based on the results of the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) results. The non-inferiority of TA suggests that its adoption by non-veterans can improve access and preserve high satisfaction. The financial impact of migration on TA will require future econometric analysis. |
Rourke et al.1313. Rourke R, Kong DC, Bromwich M. Tablet audiometry in Canada’s north: a portable and efficient method for hearing screening. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016;155(3):473-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599816644407 https://doi.org/10.1177/0194599816644407...
, 2016, Canada |
Cross-sectional and prospective |
To determine the prevalence of hearing loss in children aged 4–11 years; test and demonstrate the use of the tablet audiometer as a portable hearing test device in children in a remote location. |
A total of 14.8% children tested positive for hearing loss basedon our interactive audiometer for tablets. The audiometer for tablets was time-efficient and largely language-independent. This test is valuable for providing the necessary hearing health care for high-risk populations in rural andremote areas where audiology services are not available. |
Blamey et al.1717. Blamey PJ, Blamey JK, Saunders E. Effectiveness of a teleaudiology approach to hearing aid fitting. J Telemed Telecare. 2015;21(8):474-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X15611568 https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X15611568...
, 2015, Australia |
Accuracy study |
To evaluate the effectiveness of an online speech perception test (SPT) for measuring hearing and adjusting the hearing aid in comparison with conventional methods. |
SPT isan effective tool for the detection and measurement of hearing loss and the adaptation of hearing aids. The use of SPT reduces costs and increases the effectiveness of adjusting the hearing aid, enabling a sustainable teleaudiology business model. |
Penteado et al.1515. Penteado SP, Lima Ramos S, Battistella LR, Marone SAM, Bento RF. Adaptação à distância de próteses auditivas acústicas: a teleaudiologia aplicada na melhoria da condução das Políticas Públicas no Brasil. Int. Arch. Otorhinolaryngol. 2012;16(3):371-81.https://doi.org/10.7162/S1809-97772012000300012 https://doi.org/10.7162/S1809-9777201200...
, 2013, Brazil |
Case study |
To describe a case of remote adaptation between two cities, with a literature review. |
Remoteadjustment of hearing aids is possible over the Internet, in addition to providing additional technical training for a remote center on assembly procedures. This technological approach can help the government to promote public policies in hearing rehabilitation, as patients can be motivated to keep using hearing aids with the option of asking for help in the comfort of their own homes. |
Swanepoel et al.1616. Swanepoel W, Koekemoer D, Clark J. Intercontinental hearing assessment - a study in tele-audiology. J Telemed Telecare. 2010;16(5):248-52. https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2010.090906 https://doi.org/10.1258/jtt.2010.090906...
, 2010, South Africa |
Validation study |
To validate remote pure tone audiometric tests performed in North America on individuals from South Africa. |
It may be possible to expand the reach of hearing services in remote and underserved regions of the world. |