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J Am Acad Audiol 2024; 35(07/08): 204-213
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1791214
Research Article

The Influence of Remote Hearing Aid Adjustment Technology on the Current Practice of Tele-Audiology among Audiologists in Malaysia

T. Kar Quar
1   Audiology Program, Centre for Rehabilitation and Special Needs (iCaRehab), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
,
Y. Feng Lim
1   Audiology Program, Centre for Rehabilitation and Special Needs (iCaRehab), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2   ENT Head & Neck Surgery, National University Hospital (NUH) Medical Centre, Singapore
,
Mohd F.N. Rashid
3   Audiology Program, School of Health Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia
,
S. Ying Chu
4   Speech Sciences Program, Centre for Healthy Ageing and Wellness (H-CARE), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
,
F. Yen Chong
1   Audiology Program, Centre for Rehabilitation and Special Needs (iCaRehab), Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Abstract

Objective Many hearing aid manufacturers have developed application programs that allow audiologists to fine-tune or adjust their patients' hearing aids remotely. This study aims to explore audiologists' experiences in using the remote hearing aid adjustment in Malaysia.

Method This is a qualitative research design where focus group discussions among audiologists were held. The interview data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify patterns and reconstruct meaning.

Study Sample Ten audiologists with at least 1 year of work experience in providing remote hearing aid adjustment services to adult patients were recruited.

Results Even though there has been an increased utilization of remote fine-tuning among audiologists in Malaysia due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, its use among audiologists remains limited at present. Five thematic areas were identified: “Adoption of Practice,” “Challenges and Limitations,” “Benefits and Opportunities,” “Satisfaction,” and “Recommendations for Improvement.” The TedAP challenges (T-technical challenges: e-ease of use, d-digital competency; A-abuse of system, and P-physical examinations) have been identified under the “Challenges and Limitations” theme. Suggestions for improvement include integrating the applications and video calls on a common platform, assigning a “standby” trained audiologist, and incorporating remote fine-tuning into audiology education.

Conclusion Challenges and limitations associated with the provision of tele-audiology have been documented based on the views and experiences of audiologists in Malaysia. Despite the barriers, audiologists acknowledged the benefits associated with remote systems and recommendations were provided to improve the services. The results of this study could contribute to the increase in the use of tele-audiology in Malaysia. This would be instrumental in developing further the audiology profession in terms of the adoption of tele-audiology and telehealth in Malaysia.

Keywords

hearing aid program - remote - fine-tuning - tele-audiology - challenges


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 06. November 2023

Angenommen: 09. April 2024

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
19. Dezember 2024

© 2024. American Academy of Audiology. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA

 

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