For individuals with moderate-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss, cochlear implants are a highly effective form of hearing rehabilitation. Despite their effectiveness, utilisation is low, with approximately only 12.7% of suitable adult candidates receiving implants. Barriers to access include the geographic distribution of implantation centres, which are typically concentrated in metropolitan cities. Thus, the travel and time commitment for comprehensive evaluation and follow-up can be a barrier to care for patients. To overcome these barriers, hearing services have integrated telehealth to deliver clinical care at a distance. For cochlear implant users, telehealth allows access to care from home. However, barriers for users include lack of reliable internet connection and access to devices for streaming. Regional telehealth facilities aim to alleviate barriers by offering strategically located physical spaces staffed with facilitators. Despite recognised benefits, research on the implementation of regional cochlear implant telehealth models remains limited. To address this gap, this qualitative study utilised a focus group at a single tertiary centre to explore audiologists’ perspectives on the benefits, challenges and future directions of a regional telehealth programme for postoperative implant care. Five participants were interviewed regarding their experiences with a programme involving 7 sites as part of an ongoing non-inferiority trial. Thematic analysis identified regional telehealth as beneficial for follow-up care, troubleshooting and reducing travel burden. Challenges included difficulties communicating with patients who had cognitive or auditory limitations, as well as a limited capacity for remote hardware troubleshooting. Participants recommended improving audiovisual infrastructure, integrating interpreter services and reimbursement models. Overall, regional telehealth was viewed as a vital tool for mitigating geographic and technological access barriers. These findings highlight the potential of regional telehealth to improve care for underserved communities. However, addressing infrastructure and workflow limitations is essential to enhance effectiveness and support widespread adoption.
Telehealth for cochlear implant follow-up care
Reviewed by Sirat Lodhi
Audiologist perspectives on a regional telehealth model for cochlear implant follow-up care: a qualitative study.
CONTRIBUTOR
Sirat Lodhi
Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Aintree University Hospital, UK.
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