2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference

March 13 - 15, 2022

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4/16/2013  |   9:40 AM - 10:40 AM   |  The Role of Tele-audiology in Supporting Access to Care   |  Solana A   |  2

The Role of Tele-audiology in Supporting Access to Care

Telehealth plays a promising role in the support of EHDI systems, particularly in attempts to reduce loss to follow up for those infants who cannot easily access qualified pediatric audiologists. Several tele-audiology programs are underway across the country, ranging from remote provision of diagnostic evaluations to hearing aid support to cochlear implant integrity tests in the operating room. To further advance the practice of tele-audiology, the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management established a 'learning community' comprised of audiologists and researchers from six states with the goal to share knowledge, learn together, and disseminate information to the field. The purpose of this session is to highlight successful tele-audiology efforts being conducted by learning community members. The facilitator for the learning community will lay a foundation by defining tele-audiology and illustrating its prevalence based on survey data and focused interviews. Two learning community members will present their own tele-audiology efforts, describing the steps involved in developing their infrastructure and partnerships required for success. One presenter will describe remote diagnostic evaluation activities in Guam, emphasizing the importance of establishing relationships with staff and families at the remote sites. Another presenter will describe the development of remote hearing aid support and peri-operative cochlear implant testing also done remotely. Logistical considerations and practical strategies employed to overcome obstacles will be discussed, and the importance of ensuring the integration of family-centered practices will be emphasized. A summary focused on real-world challenges, such as privacy and security regulations, reimbursement, and internet connectivity in remote areas will conclude the session. In addition to powerpoint slides, videos depicting tele-audiology sessions and resources developed by the learning community will be presented. There will be ample time allotted for discussion with the audience.

  • Learn about the prevalence of telehealth to provide audiological services to infants in remote areas.
  • Obtain resources to support the development of family-centered tele-audiology services.
  • Gain insights into the challenges of implementing a sustainable tele-audiology program.

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Presenters/Authors

Vicki Hunting (Co-Presenter), Hands & Voices, vicki@handsandvoices.org;
Vicki Hunting is mom to two adult daughters; the youngest a young adult who is deaf/hard of hearing. She has worked in project management, process reengineering and quality/process improvement and evaluation for over 20 years with experience. Ms. Hunting has experience using the Model for Improvement using Plan-Do-Study-Act(PDSA) cycles as a framework for QI projects. This experience also includes; testing, implementing and spreading changes as well as using data for improvement, and developing and interpreting run charts and control charts. In her current staff position as Director of Data and Evaluation at Hands & Voices Headquarters Ms. Hunting works to ensure data and evaluation functions and practices of the organization are developed and monitored, works on establishing efficient, accurate, and timely data tracking to ensure data quality, integrity, reliability and validity. Vicki has been involved in the H&V in Iowa since it began in 2004.


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Diane Behl (POC,Primary Presenter), NCHAM, diane.behl@usu.edu;
Diane Behl is a Senior Faculty member at the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management. She facilitates telehealth learning communities and is a co-investigator for cost-effectiveness studies. She has expertise in evaluating the effectiveness of service coordination provided via Part C Early Intervention and Maternal and Child Health programs. Diane was a primary researcher on the EI SNAPSHOT study.


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Anne Marie Tharpe (Co-Presenter), Vanderbilt University, anne.m.tharpe@vanderbilt.edu;
Dr. Tharpe is Professor and Chair, Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville Tennessee. The primary research emphasis in her laboratory has been in furthering our understanding of the developmental impact of hearing loss on young children. This work has been done by examining questions of behavioral indices of attention, environmental exploration, and academic outcomes. Her recent work has focused on the impact of hearing technology interventions on caregiver and child behavior and the sleep patterns in those with hearing loss. Dr. Tharpe has published extensively in national and international professional journals, has published numerous books and book chapters, and has presented to over 300 audiences around the world on pediatric audiology issues. She is co-editor with Dr. Richard Seewald of The Comprehensive Handbook of Pediatric Audiology, 2nd edition, which was published in 2016.


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Deborah Hayes (Co-Presenter), Children's Hospital Colorado, deborah.hayes@childrenscolorado.org;
Deborah Hayes, PhD, is currently a professor in the departments of pediatrics and physical medicine at the Colorado School of Medicine and chair, audiology, speech pathology and learning services at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado. She has been a leader in audiology for more than 30 years and has published significant research work in a variety of topics with such illustrious co-authors as James Jerger, Marion Downs, and Jerry Northern. Her over 50 publications are standards for the profession.


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