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International Journal of Audiology Nov 2023Musicians who wear hearing aids are a unique subset of hearing-impaired individuals. There are a number of issues musicians experience with hearing aids, making...
Musicians who wear hearing aids are a unique subset of hearing-impaired individuals. There are a number of issues musicians experience with hearing aids, making effective hearing rehabilitation a challenge. Research suggests hearing aid satisfaction in musicians is lower partly due to their advanced listening skills, however, qualitative research addressing musicians who wear hearing aids for music is scarce. The current study aimed to record the barriers encountered by musicians who wear hearing aids when playing their instrument/singing, listening to recorded music and listening to live music. Professional musicians who wear hearing aids were interviewed. Participants were questioned about their experiences with hearing loss and hearing aids, with particular emphasis on experiences listening to recorded and live music, and playing or performing music with the hearing aids. Eight professional musicians were interviewed, using a semi-structured interview style, with a question and prompt guide. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes in the data: the musicians' journey, communication, and flexibility/adjustability. The results have implications for future research into specific fitting parameters for hearing aids for musicians (particularly for music performance), the need for evidence-based rehabilitation programs for musicians with hearing loss, and the need for a glossary of terms to assist communication between Audiologists and musicians.
PubMed: 37980926
DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2275118 -
BMC Medical Research Methodology Aug 2023Epidemiologic and medical studies often rely on evaluators to obtain measurements of exposures or outcomes for study participants, and valid estimates of associations...
BACKGROUND
Epidemiologic and medical studies often rely on evaluators to obtain measurements of exposures or outcomes for study participants, and valid estimates of associations depends on the quality of data. Even though statistical methods have been proposed to adjust for measurement errors, they often rely on unverifiable assumptions and could lead to biased estimates if those assumptions are violated. Therefore, methods for detecting potential 'outlier' evaluators are needed to improve data quality during data collection stage.
METHODS
In this paper, we propose a two-stage algorithm to detect 'outlier' evaluators whose evaluation results tend to be higher or lower than their counterparts. In the first stage, evaluators' effects are obtained by fitting a regression model. In the second stage, hypothesis tests are performed to detect 'outlier' evaluators, where we consider both the power of each hypothesis test and the false discovery rate (FDR) among all tests. We conduct an extensive simulation study to evaluate the proposed method, and illustrate the method by detecting potential 'outlier' audiologists in the data collection stage for the Audiology Assessment Arm of the Conservation of Hearing Study, an epidemiologic study for examining risk factors of hearing loss in the Nurses' Health Study II.
RESULTS
Our simulation study shows that our method not only can detect true 'outlier' evaluators, but also is less likely to falsely reject true 'normal' evaluators.
CONCLUSIONS
Our two-stage 'outlier' detection algorithm is a flexible approach that can effectively detect 'outlier' evaluators, and thus data quality can be improved during data collection stage.
Topics: Humans; Computer Simulation; Algorithms; Data Collection; Risk Factors; Data Accuracy
PubMed: 37528402
DOI: 10.1186/s12874-023-01988-4 -
International Journal of Audiology May 2024We aimed to explore (i) what adults with hearing difficulties want and need from hearables, which we defined as any non-medical personal sound amplification product, and...
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to explore (i) what adults with hearing difficulties want and need from hearables, which we defined as any non-medical personal sound amplification product, and (ii) what hearing care professionals think about hearables.
DESIGN
This was an exploratory, qualitative study conducted using separate focus groups with adults with hearing difficulties and audiologists. Data were analysed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis.
STUDY SAMPLE
Participants were 12 adults with hearing difficulties and 6 audiologists.
RESULTS
Adults with hearing difficulties expressed desire for trustworthy information and support, described evaluating hearables and other devices according to diverse personal criteria, and expressed willingness to vary their budget according to product quality. Audiologists expressed views that hearables are an inferior product but useful tool, that it is not necessarily their role to assist with hearables, that hearables are a source of uncertainty, and that the provision of hearables by audiologists is not currently practical.
CONCLUSION
Adults with hearing difficulties may have complex reasons for considering hearables and may desire a high level of clinical support in this area. Ongoing research into the efficacy and effectiveness of hearables is needed together with research into effective strategies to incorporate hearables into clinical practice.
PubMed: 38690770
DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2024.2341973 -
Journal of Medical Internet Research Aug 2023Telehealth interventions have become increasingly important in health care provision, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Video calls have emerged as a popular... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Telehealth interventions have become increasingly important in health care provision, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Video calls have emerged as a popular and effective method for delivering telehealth services; however, barriers limit the adoption among allied health professionals and nurses.
OBJECTIVE
This review aimed to identify and map the perceived barriers to the use of video call-based telehealth interventions among allied health professionals and nurses.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed and CINAHL databases on June 22, 2022, and updated on January 3, 2023, following the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines. Only original studies published in English or German since June 2017 that reported barriers to the use of video call-based telehealth interventions were eligible for inclusion. The studies had to involve interviews, focus groups, or questionnaires with physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, audiologists, orthoptists, dieticians, midwives, or nurses. Each publication was coded for basic characteristics, including country, health profession, and target group. Inductive coding was used to identify the patterns, themes, and categories in the data. Individual codings were analyzed and summarized narratively, with similarities and differences in barriers identified across health professions and target groups.
RESULTS
A total of 56 publications were included in the review, with barriers identified and categorized into 8 main categories and 23 subcategories. The studies were conducted in various countries, predominantly the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Israel, and India. Questionnaires were the most commonly used evaluation method, with 10,245 health professionals involved. Interviews or focus groups were conducted with 288 health professionals. Most of the included publications focused on specific health care professions, with the highest number addressing barriers for physical therapists, speech and language therapists, and audiologists. The barriers were related to technology issues, practice issues, patient issues, environmental issues, attributions, interpersonal issues, policies and regulations, and administration issues. The most reported barriers included the lack of hands-on experience, unreliable network connection, the lack of technology access, diminished fidelity of observations and poor conditions for visual instructions, the lack of technology skills, and diminished client-practitioner interaction and communication.
CONCLUSIONS
This review identified key barriers to video call-based telehealth use by allied health professionals and nurses, which can foster the development of stable infrastructure, education, training, guidelines, policies, and support systems to improve telehealth services. Further research is necessary to identify potential solutions to the identified barriers.
Topics: Humans; Pandemics; COVID-19; Telemedicine; Australia; Health Personnel
PubMed: 37526957
DOI: 10.2196/46715 -
International Journal of Audiology Dec 2023To examine help-seeker satisfaction with the first communication of a tinnitus diagnosis by a healthcare provider, whether help-seekers undertook treatment and how they...
OBJECTIVE
To examine help-seeker satisfaction with the first communication of a tinnitus diagnosis by a healthcare provider, whether help-seekers undertook treatment and how they rated this treatment.
DESIGN
A survey design assessed tinnitus characteristics and distress, health status, help-seeking, diagnosis communication, treatment and patient satisfaction.
STUDY SAMPLE
A self-selected cohort and a population-based cohort.
RESULTS
Satisfaction scores were examined against demographic, clinical factors, and type of healthcare provider. A total of 281 adults participated (median age 61.6, IQR = 10.8 years), 52.3% sought help for tinnitus and 22.4% received treatment. The most frequently seen healthcare providers were general practitioners (34.0%), audiologists (29.3%) and ear, nose and throat specialists (25.9%). About two-thirds (64.1%) of help-seekers were unsatisfied with the first communication of a tinnitus diagnosis they received, and 56.5% rated their first tinnitus treatment as poor. Help-seekers were significantly more satisfied with audiologists than other providers regarding the communication of the first tinnitus diagnosis. Higher tinnitus distress scores were significantly associated with lower patient satisfaction with communication of first tinnitus diagnosis. No other factors were associated with patient satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
There are significant communication barriers along the tinnitus clinical pathway. Identifying and addressing these barriers could improve patient satisfaction.
PubMed: 38117006
DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2292964 -
Seminars in Hearing Aug 2023The past decade has been characterized by significant changes in the distribution and sale of hearing aids. Alternatives to the (i.e., traditional) hearing healthcare... (Review)
Review
The past decade has been characterized by significant changes in the distribution and sale of hearing aids. Alternatives to the (i.e., traditional) hearing healthcare delivery model have been driven by growth in hearing aid dispensaries housed in large retail establishments and direct-to-consumer hearing aid sales by internet-based companies unaffiliated with major hearing aid manufacturers (e.g., Eargo). These developments have been accompanied by acceleration in the growth of teleaudiology services as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resulting development of nontraditional hearing aid distribution and sales models can be categorized into distinct archetypes as reviewed earlier in this publication. This article will review the model as exemplified by Jabra Enhance. We will describe a completely digital model of hearing aid distribution and sales that maintains the professional service component throughout the client journey to include an online tone test, the use of a risk mitigation questionnaire, virtual consultations, remote hearing aid adjustments, and the establishment and monitoring of client-centered treatment goals. Furthermore, this article will review the Jabra Enhance model within the context of consumer healthcare decision-making theory with a focus on the Consumer Decision-Making Model.
PubMed: 37484986
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1769627 -
International Journal of Audiology Oct 2023This scoping review aimed to identify knowledge gaps in relation to access to, and outcomes from, hearing care services for adults in Malaysia. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
This scoping review aimed to identify knowledge gaps in relation to access to, and outcomes from, hearing care services for adults in Malaysia.
DESIGN
Scoping review.
STUDY SAMPLE
1261 studies from 4 databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Embase and Scopus) and 7 studies from grey literature were identified. After removing duplicates, 647 studies were screened for title and/or abstract, and five studies met the criteria and were included.
RESULTS
Audiologists reported offering a range of diagnostic assessment and rehabilitation services, including hearing aids, assistive listening devices, auditory training, and counselling. However, the uptake of hearing services was low; rates of hearing aid use among people with at least mild hearing loss were around 2.7%-4.4%; 6.5%-7.3% for those with at least moderate loss. There were no data on the outcomes from hearing services.
CONCLUSIONS
This scoping review highlighted the limited uptake of hearing services among adults in Malaysia, despite the existence of services. Furthermore, it revealed a lack of information about the factors contributing to this limited uptake. To address the burden of hearing loss, there is an urgent need to identify barriers to access, improve access and uptake, and evaluate the benefits of adult hearing services in Malaysia.
PubMed: 37855096
DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2270594 -
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde Jul 2023Tinnitus is a common condition with great variability in the intensity of symptomatology. In recent years, more and more insights have been gained into the mechanism of...
Tinnitus is a common condition with great variability in the intensity of symptomatology. In recent years, more and more insights have been gained into the mechanism of tinnitus and its relationship with hearing loss and other factors such as stress. Depending on the symptoms and clinical findings, a patient may be referred to an ENT specialist or audiologist. For the majority of patients, re-assurance and providing good information is sufficient. For others improving hearing and possibly cognitive behavioral therapy remains the most important pillars for treatment of tinnitus. A number of experimental treatments are currently underway which offer hope for the future.
PubMed: 37565833
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology Oct 2023Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition encompassing complex physical and neurological symptoms, including complex sensory symptoms. This... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Autism spectrum disorder is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition encompassing complex physical and neurological symptoms, including complex sensory symptoms. This review explores the interface between autism spectrum disorder and paediatric ENT.
METHODS
Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses ('PRISMA') guideline, a robust literature search and review was conducted by two researchers. Thirty-four papers were filtered into the final review.
RESULTS
Published literature clearly demonstrates potential for autism spectrum disorder to present in the form of auditory and other sensory symptoms to ENT surgeons and audiologists who may not fully appreciate this complex condition. Despite this well-documented link, auditory symptoms, auditory processing disorders and hearing loss within autism spectrum disorder remain poorly understood.
CONCLUSION
Improved recognition and understanding of autism spectrum disorder by otolaryngologists could enable more effective diagnostic and management strategies for autistic children who present with auditory and other sensory symptoms. In light of the current 'autism epidemic,' there is an urgent need for further research on this theme.
Topics: Child; Humans; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Otolaryngologists; Audiologists
PubMed: 36073036
DOI: 10.1017/S0022215122001980 -
Seminars in Hearing May 2024Probe microphone measurements are an essential step in an individualized hearing aid fitting. These measurements allow audiologists to account for the individual's... (Review)
Review
Probe microphone measurements are an essential step in an individualized hearing aid fitting. These measurements allow audiologists to account for the individual's hearing and ear canal acoustics when programming hearing aids. An evidence-based hearing aid fitting includes matching the measured output of the hearing aids to targets for each input level and frequency. This allows the audiologist to confidently counsel the patient that the acoustic fitting is accurate, and the next step is for the individual to use the amplification during all waking hours to adapt to the newly amplified sounds. This also avoids mistakes such as overamplification or insufficient gain, which can endanger the patient and/or lead to a compromised fitting.
PubMed: 38855348
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786505