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.
METHODS: This was a cross sectional study from January 2019 to December 2020 in which thirty-one children with hearing loss and multiple disabilities were evaluated. Their improvement in auditory and speech performances were assessed using Categories of Auditory Performance version II (CAP-II) and the Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scales. The assessment was done at 6-month intervals, with the baseline evaluation done at least six months after activation of the implant. Parents were asked to fill the Parents Evaluation of Aural/Oral Performance of Children (PEACH) diary and Perceived Benefit Questionnaire (PBQ) to evaluate the child's quality of life.
RESULTS: All 31 children have Global Developmental Delay (GDD), with 11 having an additional disability. Both mean CAP-II and SIR scores showed significant improvement with increased hearing age (p
DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional study.
STUDY SAMPLE: 1068 subjects issued with HAs at a tertiary hospital from 2001 to 2013.
RESULTS: Half of the subjects presented with more severe (>55 dB) hearing loss (HL) in their better ear. In multivariable analysis, older age, Malay ethnicity, conductive and mixed HL, and combination type of HL were associated with more severe HL at first presentation. Over 70% of subjects were older than 65 years. Worse pure tone audiometry (PTA) thresholds of the better ear, gradual onset and sensorineural HL were associated with older age presentation. For unilaterally fitted subjects, PTA thresholds were the only determinant of having the better ear aided. Better PTA thresholds, younger age and sensorineural HL were associated with choosing in ear compared to behind the ear HAs. Younger age and worse PTA of the better ear were associated with ≥4 h of daily HA usage.
CONCLUSIONS: Age, ethnicity and type of HL were important determinants for more severe HL at first HA fitting. Older patients and those with better hearing were less likely to use their HAs regularly.