Is Teleaudiology Achieving Person-Centered Care: A Review

Almond

2023

IJERPH

Self Cite

Untreated age-related sensorineural hearing loss is challenged by low adoption and adherence to hearing aids for treatment. Hearing care has evolved from traditional clinic-controlled treatment to online consumer-centered hearing care, supported by the increasingly person-centered design of hearing aid technology. Greater evidence and a more nuanced understanding of the personal need for adoption versus adherence to the use of consumer hearing care devices are required. Research considering consumer hearing aid acceptance behavior rests on behavior modification theories to guide clinical approaches to increasing hearing aid adoption and adherence. However, in the context of complex chronic health management, there may be a gap in how these theories effectively align with the needs of consumers. Similarly, market data indicates evolving consumer behavior patterns have implications for hearing care theory and implementation, particularly in terms of sustained behavior change. This essay proposes that evidence, including theory and application, be strengthened by revising basic theoretical premises of personal experience with complex chronic health, in addition to considering recent changes in commercial contexts.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavior Change in Chronic Health: Reviewing What We Know, What Is Happening, and What Is Next for Hearing Loss

Almond

2023

IJERPH

Self Cite

“…However, there is an equal responsibility to build and share practice-based evidence to strive toward continuation of qualified theory-based practice. 10 It should be noted that some clinical tasks along the hearing care journey, such as real-ear measurement and speech-mapping, need further research and development efforts to be fully integrated into the processes for remote hearing aid fittings.…”

Section: Provider and Client Engagement With Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

The Modern Hearing Care Landscape: Toward the Provision of Personalized, Dynamic, and Adaptive Care

Glista

Schnittker²,

2023

Semin Hear

Self Cite

New technologies and developments in hearing healthcare are rapidly transforming service models, delivery channels, and available solutions. These advances are reshaping the ways in which care is provided, leading to greater personalization, service efficiencies, and improved access to care, to name a few benefits. Connected hearing care is one model with the potential to embrace this “customized” hearing experience by forging a hybrid of health–technology connections, as well as traditional face-to-face interactions between clients, providers, and persons integral to the care journey. This article will discuss the many components of connected care, encompassing variations of traditional and teleaudiology-focused services, clinic-based and direct-to-consumer channels, in addition to the varying levels of engagement and readiness defining the touch points for clients to access a continuum of connected hearing care. The emerging hearing healthcare system is one that is dynamic and adaptive, allowing for personalized care, but also shifting the focus to the client's needs and preferences. This shift in the care model, largely driven by innovation and the growing opportunities for clients to engage with hearing technology, brings forth new, exciting, and sometimes uncomfortable discussion points for both the provider and client. The modern hearing care landscape benefits clients to better meet their needs and preferences in a more personalized style, and providers to better support and address those needs and preferences.

“…In Australia, there are now specific guidelines for teleaudiology, 52 supported by a wealth of evidence validating teleaudiology practices, 5 improved outcomes, 4 and person-centered teleaudiological care. 2 The clinician's expertise will always be valuable in addressing the auditory need of the consumer. The clinician is the expert of the intervention implementation (i.e., ensuring the hearing aid provides the optimal benefit).…”

Section: Clinical Considerations That Ensure Optimal Person-centered ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1 Adoption of innovation in service, channel, and technology has potential to encourage person-centered practices. 2 Nevertheless, despite substantial evidence and growing consensus regarding the proper application of and capacity to uphold the standard of care while using, for example, teleaudiology methods, 3 4 clinicians remain reluctant to adopt new ways of delivering hearing care. 5 6 7 Arguably, the core objective of a hearing care professional is to support the well-being and audiological outcomes for those with hearing loss.…”

Section: Tablementioning

confidence: 99%

Centering on People: How Hearing Care Professionals Can Adapt to Consumers' Need and Outcomes

Timmer

Barr³

2023

Semin Hear

Self Cite

Audiology is experiencing exponential growth in technology, service, and provision options. These advancements give hearing care professionals the opportunity to revise, potentially improve, and adapt to the modern hearing care landscape to better serve the modern consumer. Consumer needs guide care planning and delivery, with the goal of achieving outcomes that are important to both the consumer and the clinician. The changes available to the hearing care industry can also enable consumers' needs to be identified and served in a more holistic and personalized manner than has previously been possible. The purpose of this article is to explain and encourage hearing care professionals to adopt a mindset of doing whatever is reasonable and clinically appropriate to meet the need and desires of the consumer by implementing choice in service, technology, and channel across whichever model of care adopted by a provider.