Critical Steps in Establishing a Teleaudiology Practice

• Published in: The Hearing Review (Online)
• Main Author: Ballachanda, Bopanna
• Format: Newspaper Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles Anthem Media Group 05.01.2017
• Subjects: Audiology; Education; Patient satisfaction; Patients; Quality; Telemedicine

Northern1 defined teleaudiology as “electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support remote and distance clinical hearing healthcare, professional and public education, public health matters, and health administration.” In the past, audiologic services did not command the same attention as other health-related issues; however, countries with emerging markets and a greater economic independence have changed their perceptions of audiology and are recognizing the importance of better hearing, early intervention, and overall attention to the hearing-impaired population. A large segment of the US population is quickly approaching its senior years, which guarantees that our obligations and responsibilities to provide hearing services to older people will command our attention and stress our system for more services.8 Americans aged 65 and older are expected to nearly double by the middle of the century, and will make up more than a fifth of the nation’s population, according to the US Census Bureau. 3) Shortage of audiologists and other skilled hearing care professionals. Teleaudiology, in its most fundamental application, allows for virtual communication, using real-time audiovisual information transmitted between a patient and a hearing care provider, each located at a different site. Teleaudiology has been shown to reduce the cost of hearing care and increase efficiency through better management of patients, shared clinic staffs, reduced travel times/expenses, and fewer cases of patient dissatisfaction. In some specialties-particularly in mental health and ICU care-telemedicine delivers a superior service, with better outcomes and patient satisfaction. Evaluation and monitoring should be shared and agreed with all participants. * Monitor and...