Parents' perceptions of tele-audiological testing in a rural hearing screening program in South India. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ramkumar, Vidya; Selvakumar, K.; Vanaja, C.S.; Hall, James W.; Nagarajan, Roopa; Neethi, J.
• Is Part Of: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology. Volume 89(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 60
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Tele-diagnostic hearing testing -- Community-based hearing screening -- Parent perception -- Quality -- Access -- Video-conferencing; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Oto-rhino-laryngologie -- Périodiques; Pédiatrie -- Périodiques; 618.9209751
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2016.07.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-5876

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Tele-diagnostic audiological testing in a hearing screening program for infants and young children is a novel practice, and this study is the first to explore its application in a rural community. It is important to understand parental perceptions and confidence when introducing a new process such as tele-audiological diagnostic testing in rural areas. Method: A questionnaire with 17 rater-administered items was designed to elicit comments concerning the quality of tele-hearing testing and video-conferencing, access to tele-hearing testing, and parents' attitudes regarding tele-hearing testing in the village. The questionnaire was administered by an audiologist not involved in tele-diagnostic testing to avoid bias. Results: Parents perceived tele-hearing testing as equal in quality to in-person testing. Technical factors such as good video-conferencing quality and logistical factors such as ease of access due to reasonable travel time to testing facility could have influenced these perceptions. Conclusions: While these results show tele-hearing testing is an acceptable alternative, occasional poor signal quality should be addressed prior to large-scale implementation.