MM405 - Examining the Efficacy of Teleaudiology for Diagnosing Hearing Disorders in Rural Communities

Abstract:
The World Health Organization predicts a rise in hearing loss, affecting 2.5 billion people by 2050. This can lead to social isolation, communication issues, and economic losses. Early diagnosis is vital to mitigate these effects. This systematic review examines the effectiveness of tele-audiology in diagnosing hearing disorders in rural populations with limited access to traditional services. Out of 461 records, 14 studies showed that tele-audiology offers results comparable to traditional methods. The review highlights tele-audiology's potential to improve access to hearing care, reduce costs, and enhance early detection, though more research is needed to validate these findings.

Summary:
The World Health Organization predicts that by 2050, 2.5 billion people worldwide will experience hearing loss, with 700 million suffering from disabling hearing loss. This can lead to communication loss, social isolation, reduced academic performance, limited employment opportunities, and delayed language development. Unaddressed hearing loss costs the global economy $980 billion annually. Early diagnosis is crucial for preventing and potentially reversing its effect. The WHO's 2021 report advocates for investment in cost-effective hearing diagnostics and interventions, including teleaudiology, but lacks specific guidelines.

Aim:
The present systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and reliability of tele-audiology in diagnosing hearing disorders among rural populations with limited access to traditional audiological services.

Materials and methods:
A systematic literature search of three databases covering the years 1999–2024 was performed. The articles included people from all ages that live in rural areas with or without known hearing disorders that are exposured in synchronous or asynchronous remote diagnostic testing procedures and hearing screening.

Results:
Four hundred sixty one records were identified, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria and were included in the results. This review showed that the audiological examinations carried out at a distance using the applications of teleaudiology have the same result in most cases as the hearing evaluation carried out with a traditional visit to the hearing center in both children and adults.

Conclusions:
The literature review suggests that digital health methods, including tele-audiology, can enhance hearing loss prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, increasing coverage and reducing costs. Tele-audiology improves access to hearing care, especially in underserved areas, and facilitates early hearing loss detection and objective evaluation. It also expedites pediatric hearing screening and follow-up. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Brief Summary of Clinical Takeaways:
The clinical takeaway for this session will improve the clinical practice by expanding access to care, reducing costs, and enabling earlier diagnosis and follow-ups. It will also optimize audiologists' workload, enhance continuity of care through digital tools, and reshape the way hearing services are delivered in underserved areas.