Background Tele-health is viewed as a tool to meet many of the imperatives now plaguing health care systems. Remote hearing aid programming adjustments can be provided using Tele-audiology, which shortens waiting times for appointments, cut down on travel time and costs for patients, and improve access to hearing aid care for those living in rural or isolated places. Efficacy of Tele hearing aid programming have not been explored in India. Objective The current study focuses on comparing the effectiveness of tele-hearing aid programming services and face to face hearing aid programming. Method A prospective study was used, where cases were their own controls. Participants were new hearing aid users in a private clinic. The study utilized three questionnaires [Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life(SADL), and TELE-Hearing Aid Questionnaire] to compare effectiveness of face to face programming and tele hearing aid programming. Initially face to face hearing aid follow-up programming was conducted and after fifteen days patients had to rate two standardized questionnaires (APHAB and SADL). One months later remote hearing aid follow-up programming was conducted and after fifteen days, patients had to rate APHAB, SADL and a TELE hearing aid questionnaire. Results A total of 56 patients participated in the study. The results showed no significant difference between both modes of programming across different categories such as different degrees of hearing loss, age, gender, occupation and technological knowledge using APHAB and SADL. One significant difference was that in severe degree of hearing loss, speech perception in background noise scores were different in both the modes. Findings from the tele hearing aid questionnaire showed that the majority of respondents (66.1%) agreed that tele hearing aid programming was as effective as face-to-face programming. Conclusion This is the first study that explores the benefit, experience and preference of follow up Tele-hearing aid programming in India. Overall, it can be concluded that tele hearing aid programming can be a viable alternative for individuals who face challenges in accessing in-person audiology services. The study also identified that Tele hearing aid programming requires further improvement in patients with severe hearing loss.

Efficacy of Using Teleaudiology For Follow Up Hearing Aid Programming In India

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年6月17日

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Hemanth Kumar Babu,
Sathya Harinath

摘要

Background

Tele-health is viewed as a tool to meet many of the imperatives now plaguing health care systems. Remote hearing aid programming adjustments can be provided using Tele-audiology, which shortens waiting times for appointments, cut down on travel time and costs for patients, and improve access to hearing aid care for those living in rural or isolated places. Efficacy of Tele hearing aid programming have not been explored in India.

Objective

The current study focuses on comparing the effectiveness of tele-hearing aid programming services and face to face hearing aid programming.

Method

A prospective study was used, where cases were their own controls. Participants were new hearing aid users in a private clinic. The study utilized three questionnaires [Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), Satisfaction with Amplification in Daily Life(SADL), and TELE-Hearing Aid Questionnaire] to compare effectiveness of face to face programming and tele hearing aid programming. Initially face to face hearing aid follow-up programming was conducted and after fifteen days patients had to rate two standardized questionnaires (APHAB and SADL). One months later remote hearing aid follow-up programming was conducted and after fifteen days, patients had to rate APHAB, SADL and a TELE hearing aid questionnaire.

Results

A total of 56 patients participated in the study. The results showed no significant difference between both modes of programming across different categories such as different degrees of hearing loss, age, gender, occupation and technological knowledge using APHAB and SADL. One significant difference was that in severe degree of hearing loss, speech perception in background noise scores were different in both the modes. Findings from the tele hearing aid questionnaire showed that the majority of respondents (66.1%) agreed that tele hearing aid programming was as effective as face-to-face programming.

Conclusion

This is the first study that explores the benefit, experience and preference of follow up Tele-hearing aid programming in India. Overall, it can be concluded that tele hearing aid programming can be a viable alternative for individuals who face challenges in accessing in-person audiology services. The study also identified that Tele hearing aid programming requires further improvement in patients with severe hearing loss.