Applications in Teleaudiology

Abstract

Teleaudiology, the delivery of audiology services at a distance using ­telecommunications technologies, represents a growing area of opportunity for ­clinical practice. While audiology is a mature discipline whose development was fueled by World Wars I and II, advances in teleaudiology are relatively recent, ­having occurred over the past decade. Teleaudiology service delivery models include synchronous, asynchronous (i.e., store-and-forward) and hybrid approaches. As examples, computer-based teleaudiology technologies have been demonstrated to: perform puretone audiometry; measure otoacoustic emissions; program cochlear implants via neural response/telemetry assessment; and perform video-otoscopy. With further development of computer-based tympanometry, synchronous ­impedance testing via teleaudiology is soon to become a reality. Low technology teleaudiology applications are also developing. Teleaudiology appears very ­promising, as most of the teleaudiology applications reported upon thus far have demonstrated outcomes comparable to in-person interactions.