Tele-ABR using a satellite connection in a mobile van for newborn hearing testing

Abstract

We assessed the feasibility of conducting Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing in a mobile van with satellite connectivity, with the help of trained health workers. ABR recordings in newborn babies made by telemedicine were compared with recordings made face to face. The auditory evoked response equipment was controlled by an audiologist at a nearby hospital. Videoconferencing was used during the testing process to monitor patient preparation by the village health worker. A total of 24 newborns (13 male and 11 female) aged 8-30 days underwent ABR in face-to-face and tele-mode. There was no significant difference between peak V latency measured at three intensity levels in the two modes. Agreement between the two methods of measurement was examined with a Bland-Altman plot. Almost all points were within the limits of agreement, suggesting no bias in the telemedicine measurements. Real-time tele-ABR testing as a component of newborn hearing screening is feasible in a mobile van using satellite link with the assistance of village health workers.

The role of community health workers in addressing the global burden of ear disease and hearing loss: a systematic scoping review of the literature

“…The initial search yielded 674 articles, which reduced to 420 after removal of duplicates (see online supplementary table 3). After screening of abstracts, 356 studies were excluded and after full-text review a further 30, leaving 38 studies that met the inclusion criteria 21 22 30–65. Further details are in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow chart (figure 1).…”

“…The majority of studies have been published in the past decade (since 2008, n=30), with no relevant studies published before 1980. Studies took place in South Asia (n=13),30 36 43–45 48 55–59 61 65 Oceania (n=7),21 38 39 41 42 62 63 North America (n=7),22 35 37 47 49 50 60 South America (n=6)31–34 40 64 or Africa (n=5) 46 51–54…”

“…We identified 23 studies which primarily focused on the role of CHWs in screening for ear disease and hearing loss 21 30 31 36 42 43 45–47 49–51 53–56 58 59 61–64 66. There were no studies on the role of CHWs in disease prevention.…”

Perception of ‘mothers of beneficiaries’ regarding a rural community based hearing screening service

“…This method is described in a separate paper title [5]. Specific instance showed apprehension of a mother, whose child was referred for diagnostic ABR testing.…”

Models of service delivery for ear and hearing care in remote or resource-constrained environments

“…84,85 However, images captured by a non-specialist can sometimes be suboptimal. 81,86 Tele-audiometry has been utilised in a number of applications, including remote diagnostic audiometry, 87 otoacoustic emissions testing, 88 auditory brainstem response testing, 88,89 hearing aid fitting 90 and cochlear implant programming. [91][92][93]…”