Historically, telehealth in cochlear implant care was primarily reserved for patients facing geographical barriers. The accelerated adoption of telemedicine during the Covid-19 pandemic led many to believe that the future of audiology had permanently migrated to online platforms. However, despite a decade of technical advancements, the widespread implementation of remote care tools for adults remains surprisingly limited. A prospective, mixed-methods, online survey-based study of cochlear implant audiologists working with adults in the United Kingdom explored the barriers that clinicians face when adopting remote care tools. Notably, the identified challenges do not arise from inadequate training or logistical constraints within the institution. Although all respondents (n = 31) perceived definite benefits to using remote care tools, the primary barrier was the perception that in-person care remains the gold standard of clinical practice, a viewpoint held by 81% of surveyed audiologists. Additionally, frequent technical problems were reported as a challenge by 68% of respondents, whilst the integration of remote care tools into current workflows elicited divided responses. In a demanding clinical environment, software glitches and connectivity issues can rapidly decrease clinician confidence, compelling them to revert to reliable, in-person methods. For remote cochlear implant care to succeed, the industry must move beyond basic video conferencing. Manufacturers need to deliver integrated and highly reliable software platforms. More importantly, the audiology community requires a cultural shift that redefines remote care not as an inferior substitute, but as a robust, flexible extension of the clinic.
Remote cochlear implant care: do audiologists like the sound of it?
Reviewed by Sirat Lodhi
What stops audiologists using remote care tools to care for adults with cochlear implants?
CONTRIBUTOR
Sirat Lodhi
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Aintree University Hospital, UK.
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