ARC 2020: Tele-Audiology: Theory to Practice (0.6 CEUs/Tier 1)

Morning Session

Prioritizing Tele-Audiology for COVID-19 and Beyond 
De Wet Swanepoel, PhD Professor of Audiology University of Pretoria, South Africa

Learning Objectives 

1. Describe how COVID-19 has accelerated Tele-Audiology. 

2. Compare the differences between high-, low- and no-touch audiology. 

3. Identify the role of Tele-Audiology in low- and no-touch audiology.

Tele-Audiology in the VA: Detection & Diagnosis/Intervention & Support
Rachel McArdle, PhD (Chad Gladden, AuD; Contributor)  
VA National Audiology and Speech Pathology Program Office 

Learning Objectives

1. Identify two different modes of Tele-Audiology.
2. Describe the process used in store and forward audiology exams.
3. Understand the utilization of Bluetooth technology and smart phones for making hearing aid programming changes.

Ida Telecare Tools
Cherilee Rutherford, AuD
Senior Audiologist, Ida Institute

Learning Objectives

1. Reflect on the experiences of clients and professionals using telecare tools to prepare for consultations.
2. Describe the Ida Telecare suite of tools.
3. Review current research supporting the use and effectiveness of Ida Telecare tools.

Telehealth Supported Audiology Services with Hybrid Online and Face-to-Face Care 
Husmita Ratanjee-Vanmali
Clinical Audiologist, Hearing Research Clinic Non-Profit Company
PhD Candidate, Audiology
University of Pretoria, South Africa

Learning Objectives

1. Understand how online hearing screening can reach new patients and whether digital proficiency influences the uptake of hybrid services. 
2. Understand patient help-seeking behavior, readiness and uptake of hearing care with hybrid online and face-to-face services.
3. Understand experiences and satisfaction of patients seeking hearing care with hybrid online and face-to-face services.

Afternoon Session

It’s Not the Technology It’s What You Do with the Technology: mHealth Empowers Users of Hearing Aids
Melanie Ferguson, PhD  
Head of Audiological Science, National Acoustic Laboratories (Australia)

Learning Objectives

1. Summarize three patient benefits of using C2Hear.
2. Describe three key differences between C2hear and m2hear.
3. Identify the key components of Zimmerman’s Theory of Empowerment.

Tele-Audiology A New Beginning: Focus on Flexibility and Scalability
Bopanna Ballachanda, PhD
President, Premier Consulting Adjunct Professor, Texas Tech University Health Sciences

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the ways to include Tele-Audiology in audiology practice to provide better patient care.
2. Learn the skills needed to implement and sustain Tele-Audiology in a clinic.
3. Recognize the significance of Tele-Audiology within a practice to manage patients effectively and efficiently in the future.

Hearing Aid Fittings: Finding new ways that work for patients 
Todd Ricketts, PhD 
Professor and Vice Chair of Graduate Studies, Vanderbilt University Medical Center 

Learning Objectives

1. Describe some of the current forces that are expected to affect current and future hearing health care service delivery models.   
2. Describe a method to improve service efficiency. 
3. Describe a possible limited services model of hearing aid provision aimed at competing successfully with a true OTC model.

Factors Driving Clinical Readiness and Uptake of Remote Hearing Aid Support Services
Danielle Glista, PhD, 
AuD Director, The Connected Hearing Healthcare Lab, Western University Assistant Professor, The School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Faculty of Health Sciences

Learning Objectives

1. Describe some benefits of a Connected Health model of care in the provision of remote hearing aid support.   
2. Identify the top 3 factors perceived to influence the clinical uptake of remote hearing aid support amongst Canadian Audiologists.  
3. Describe several readiness dimensions that are important to consider when assessing barriers and facilitators to the remote/virtual delivery of hearing aid support services.  

Practical Solutions for Assessment and Intervention in Tele-Audiology
Samantha Kleindienst Robler, AuD, PhD
Audiologist and Clinical Informatics Lead, Norton Sound Health Corporation

Learning Objectives

1. Describe current telehealth models and relevant research for adult assessment and intervention.
2. Describe telehealth solutions and workflows for remote and isolated communities.
3. Evaluate case examples and best practices that can applied to their own practice.