Teleaudiology services for rehabilitation with hearing aids in adults: a systematic review
Teleaudiology services for rehabilitation with hearing aids in adults: a systematic review
Purpose: This review examined (a) the current evidence
from studies on teleaudiology applications for rehabilitation
of adults with hearing impairment with hearing aids and
(b) whether it is sufficient to support the translation into
routine clinical practice.
Method: A search strategy and eligibility criteria were
utilized to include articles specifically related to hearing
aid fitting and follow-up procedures that are involved in
consultations for the rehabilitation of adults, where the
service was provided by the clinician by teleaudiology.
A search using key words and Medical Subject Headings
(MeSH) was conducted on the main electronic databases
that index health-related studies. The included studies were
assessed using validated evaluation tools for methodological
quality, level of evidence, and grade recommendations for
application into practice.
Results: Fourteen studies were identified as being within the
scope of this review. The evaluation tools showed that none
of these studies demonstrated either a strong methodological
quality or high level of evidence. Analysis of evidence
identified 19 activities, which were classified into service
outcomes categories of feasibility, barriers, efficiency,
quality, and effectiveness. Recommendations could be
made regarding the (a) feasibility, (b) barriers, and (c) efficiency
of teleaudiology for the rehabilitation of hearing loss with
hearing aids.
Conclusion: This review provides up-to-date evidence for
teleaudiology hearing aid services in new and experienced
hearing aid users in different practice settings. Findings
direct future research priorities to strengthen evidencebased
practice. There is a need for further studies of many
aspects of teleaudiology services for rehabilitation with
hearing aids to support their implementation into clinical
practice
Teleaudiology services
Hearing aids
rehabilitation
Adults
Purpose: This review examined (a) the current evidence
from studies on teleaudiology applications for rehabilitation
of adults with hearing impairment with hearing aids and
(b) whether it is sufficient to support the translation into
routine clinical practice.
Method: A search strategy and eligibility criteria were
utilized to include articles specifically related to hearing
aid fitting and follow-up procedures that are involved in
consultations for the rehabilitation of adults, where the
service was provided by the clinician by teleaudiology.
A search using key words and Medical Subject Headings
(MeSH) was conducted on the main electronic databases
that index health-related studies. The included studies were
assessed using validated evaluation tools for methodological
quality, level of evidence, and grade recommendations for
application into practice.
Results: Fourteen studies were identified as being within the
scope of this review. The evaluation tools showed that none
of these studies demonstrated either a strong methodological
quality or high level of evidence. Analysis of evidence
identified 19 activities, which were classified into service
outcomes categories of feasibility, barriers, efficiency,
quality, and effectiveness. Recommendations could be
made regarding the (a) feasibility, (b) barriers, and (c) efficiency
of teleaudiology for the rehabilitation of hearing loss with
hearing aids.
Conclusion: This review provides up-to-date evidence for
teleaudiology hearing aid services in new and experienced
hearing aid users in different practice settings. Findings
direct future research priorities to strengthen evidencebased
practice. There is a need for further studies of many
aspects of teleaudiology services for rehabilitation with
hearing aids to support their implementation into clinical
practice
Teleaudiology services
Hearing aids
rehabilitation
Adults