EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION VIRTUAL CONFERENCE
MARCH 2-5, 2021
(Virtually the same conference, without elevators, airplane tickets, or hotel room keys)
10/14/2017 | 9:45 AM - 11:00 AM | Supporting Hearing Health for Vulnerable Populations Affected and Infected with HIV/AIDS Using Mobile Technologies | East Ballroom at Shalala Student Services Building
Supporting Hearing Health for Vulnerable Populations Affected and Infected with HIV/AIDS Using Mobile Technologies
Introduction: Access to ear and hearing health care is a challenge in developing countries, where the burden of hearing loss is exacerbated due to poverty and the high incidence of communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and TB. This study investigated a community-based program for detection of hearing loss using smartphone-based testing operated by community care workers (CCWs) in vulnerable populations affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
Method: The study comprised of two phases. Phase one: 15 CCWs performed community-based hearing screening at home-based visits using a smartphone application (hearScreen™) with calibrated headphones. Diagnostic follow-ups were conducted within two weeks of the initial screen using a threshold version of the smartphone application (hearTest™). Phase two: evaluated user experiences of CCWs and the effect of the program on their knowledge and perceptions of ear and hearing health.
Results: 276 adults (19–70 years) and 235 children (2–18 years) were tested over an eight week period. Referral rates for adults and children were 5.0% and 4.2% respectively. 66.6% of referred participants returned for follow-up diagnostic assessments, and 37.5% of those who returned presented with a hearing problem and were referred for further intervention. 100% of CCWs agreed that community members needed hearing health services and 60% stated that they would like to continue providing hearing testing as part of their services.
Conclusion: Smartphone-based hearing testing allows CCWs to bring hearing health services to the community in a timely and economic manner. Furthermore active noise monitoring and data management features allow for surveillance and quality control.
- Participants will understand the impact of HIV/AIDS on hearing health status
- Participants will be able to describe the advantages and challenges of a community-based mHealth supported hearing health care program
- Participants will be able to describe the experiences of community care workers (CCW) and the effect of community-based hearing program on knowledge and perceptions of hearing health care.
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Presenters/Authors
Faheema Mahomed-Asmail
(), University of Pretoria, faheema.mahomed@up.ac.za;
Faheema Mahomed-Asmail is a lecturer and clinical research audiologist at the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, South Africa. Her research and clinical interests are in the field of telehealth and early identification and diagnosis of school-aged hearing loss, including screening, diagnostic assessment, the use of mobile technology and automated testing. She completed her masters degree in 2013 (Cum Laude) and won the research masters degree prize, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria. Faheema is completed her PhD in school-based hearing screening and diagnosis. She has also published in peer-reviewed journals and is a reviewer for international and local Journals.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
De Wet Swanepoel
(), University of Pretoria, Pretoria , South Africa; Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery , The University of Western Australia, Nedlands , Australia; Ear Science Institute Australia , Subiaco , Australia; Callier Center for Communication Disorders , University of Texas at Dallas , USA, dewet.swanepoel@up.ac.za;
De Wet Swanepoel is professor in audiology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa and a senior research fellow at the Ear Science Institute Australia with adjunct positions at the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Western Australia. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, books and book chapters and has received numerous awards in recognition of his work. His research capitalises on the growth in information and communication technologies to explore, develop and evaluate innovative solutions to improve access to ear and hearing health care. He is lead inventor of the award winning and patented hearScreenTM smartphone hearing test. Prof Swanepoel also serves as associate editor for the International Journal of Audiology, as president-elect for the International Society of Audiology and as co-chair for the telehealth task force of the American Academy of Audiology.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Tanith Van Wyk
(), tanithvanwyk@yahoo.com;
TBA
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