The field of eHealth is rapidly expanding, offering promising opportunities for enhancing hearing healthcare (HHC) for adults using hearing aids (HAs). A recent state-of-the-art review titled "eHealth and the hearing aid adult patient journey: a state-of-the-art review" provides valuable insights into the current landscape and future potential of eHealth in audiology. Here, we summarize key findings from the review and discuss how practitioners can leverage these insights to improve patient outcomes.
The Growing Role of eHealth in Audiology
The review highlights a significant increase in eHealth research over the past decade, with the number of studies growing from just 2 in 2009-2010 to 17 in 2015-2016. This trend underscores the growing interest and investment in eHealth solutions within the audiology community.
Platforms for eHealth Delivery
The review categorizes eHealth platforms into three main types:
- Offline platforms (e.g., DVDs, PCs, telephone)
- Internet-based platforms (e.g., websites, teleconsultations)
- Mobile-based platforms (e.g., smartphones, tablets)
Among these, Internet-based platforms are the most frequently used, appearing in more than half of the studies reviewed. However, mobile-based platforms are still underutilized, despite their potential for providing personalized and on-demand care.
Types of eHealth Services
The review identifies several key areas where eHealth services are being applied:
- Education and Information: Providing patients with knowledge about hearing loss and hearing aids, often through online portals and multimedia content.
- Screening and Assessment: Utilizing online and mobile tools for hearing tests and self-assessment.
- Hearing Rehabilitation: Offering auditory and cognitive training programs via PCs, DVDs, and the Internet.
- General Tele-Audiology: Remote service delivery, including teleconsultations and remote fitting of hearing aids.
Phases of the Patient Journey
eHealth services are applied across various phases of the patient journey, including:
- Pre-fitting: Awareness and initial assessment of hearing loss.
- Fitting: Hearing aid fitting and adjustment.
- Post-fitting: Ongoing rehabilitation and education.
Most services are concentrated in the post-fitting phase, emphasizing the importance of continuous support and education for patients after they receive their hearing aids.
Implications for Practitioners
The review provides several actionable insights for practitioners:
- Leverage Internet-based Platforms: Utilize online portals and teleconsultations to enhance patient education and follow-up care.
- Incorporate Mobile Solutions: Explore mobile apps for hearing tests and sound enhancement to provide more personalized care.
- Focus on Education: Implement comprehensive educational programs to improve patient knowledge and engagement.
- Adopt a Patient-Centered Approach: Customize eHealth services to meet the individual needs of patients, enhancing their overall experience and satisfaction.
Future Research Directions
While the review shows promising developments, it also highlights the need for further research to optimize eHealth solutions. Key areas for future research include:
- Technical and clinical validation of eHealth tools.
- Optimization of service delivery strategies.
- Addressing barriers to implementation, such as digital literacy and accessibility.
By focusing on these areas, researchers can help bridge the gap between the potential and actual benefits of eHealth in audiology.To read the original research paper, please follow this link:
eHealth and the hearing aid adult patient journey: a state-of-the-art review.
