a Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology , University of Pretoria , Pretoria , South Africa.
b Hearing Research Clinic Non-Profit Company , Durban , South Africa.
Int J Audiol. 2019 Feb;58(2):107-115. doi: 10.1080/14992027.2018.1516895. Epub 2018 Oct 5.
This study describes characteristics, behaviours and readiness of people who are interested in seeking hearing healthcare (HHC) online.
A non-profit clinic was established from which services through a virtual clinic are offered. Most of the patient-audiologist interactions are conducted online. We used online means to invite individuals to take a free online digit-in-noise (DIN) test. Upon failing the test, individuals reported their readiness to seek HHC by using two tools: the line and the staging algorithm.
Individuals ≥18 years of age, within the greater Durban area, South Africa, were eligible to participate in the study.
A total of 462 individuals completed the online DIN test during the first 3 months. Of those, 58.66% (271/462) failed the test and 11.04% (51/462) submitted their details for further contact from the clinic audiologist. Five individuals proceeded to a comprehensive hearing evaluation and hearing aid trial: all those individuals showed readiness to seek further HHC on the measurement tools. These individuals have reported knowing of their hearing challenges prior to taking the test and have waited for a period of between 5 and 16 years before seeking HHC. A significant association between age and DIN test result was found.
This explorative study is the first clinic to utilise digital tools across the entire patient journey in combination with face-to-face interactions in providing HHC. Internet-connected devices provide an opportunity for individuals to seek HHC and for providers to offer initial services to detect, counsel and support persons through the initial engagement process of seeking HHC. This may open up new audiology patient pathways through online hearing screening, assessment of readiness to seek further HHC and enhancement of service delivery using hybrid services by combining online and face-to-face modes of synchronous and asynchronous communication.
本研究描述了对在线寻求听力保健（HHC）感兴趣的人群的特征、行为和准备情况。
成立了一家非营利性诊所，通过虚拟诊所提供服务。大多数医患互动都是在线进行的。我们使用在线方式邀请个人参加免费的在线数字噪声测试（DIN）。测试失败后，个人使用两种工具报告他们寻求 HHC 的准备情况：直线和分期算法。
符合条件的参与者为年龄在 18 岁及以上，居住在南非德班大都市区内的个人。
在最初的 3 个月内，共有 462 人完成了在线 DIN 测试。其中，58.66%（271/462）测试失败，11.04%（51/462）提交了详细信息，以便诊所听力师进一步联系。有 5 人进行了全面听力评估和助听器试用：所有这些人在测量工具上都表现出寻求进一步 HHC 的准备。这些人报告说，在参加测试之前就已经知道自己的听力挑战，并在寻求 HHC 之前等待了 5 到 16 年的时间。年龄和 DIN 测试结果之间存在显著关联。
这项探索性研究是第一家在提供 HHC 时，在整个患者就诊过程中使用数字工具并结合面对面互动的诊所。互联网连接设备为个人寻求 HHC 提供了机会，为提供者提供了初始服务，通过寻求 HHC 的初始参与过程，为患者提供检测、咨询和支持。这可能通过在线听力筛查、评估寻求进一步 HHC 的准备情况以及通过结合在线和面对面模式的同步和异步通信来增强服务交付，开辟新的听力学患者途径。
