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Semin Hear 2021; 42(02): 152-157
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1731695
Review Article

Telehealth Audiology and Virtual Hearing Screenings: A Case Report

Erika Sophia Linkenheimer
1   Metropolitan ENT Associates, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Abstract

Clinic closures across the United States in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic meant that many audiology services were reduced to phone calls, video visits, and modified services (e.g., curbside, mail-ins, drop offs). Audiologists and other providers needed a way to manage hearing- and ear-related complaints via telehealth. A simple pure tone air conduction threshold test performed at home was used to determine which patients needed to come into the clinic for an in-person appointment. This case will review a 56-year-old male who was being treated for an idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss prior to clinic closure. He had on file a comprehensive audiogram at first onset of symptoms and was treated with oral steroids. Virtual hearing testing was then utilized for a variety of other patients from teenagers to adults to triage hearing- and ear-related complaints while clinics were closed for in-person visits.

Keywords

COVID-19 - audiogram - hearing loss - telehealth - virtual audiogram - uHear - hearing test - sudden hearing loss


Publication History

Article published online:
02 August 2021

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