Abstract
Objective: To develop a consensus among hearing healthcare professionals in the UK on connected hearing health technologies and service delivery models. Design: A three-round, electronic Delphi review was developed using a participatory-design approach. This included ten open-ended questions (round one) that informed 69 Likert-scaled statements (rounds two and three). Study sample: An expert panel of 34 hearing health professionals representing all geographic regions of the UK from either the publicly funded National Health Service (n = 22) or independent sector (n = 12). Results: The majority of statements (61%) showed ≥80% consensus, highlighting that there was broad agreement amongst professionals on connected hearing health technologies. For example, there was consensus that adults who report communication difficulties and have no medical contraindications would be ideal candidates. Furthermore, it was unanimously agreed that connected technologies could result in delays in diagnosis of treatable medical conditions, as well as result in inadequate amplification. Overall, the expert panel concurred that connected technologies could serve as “gateway products” that lead to earlier hearing aid uptake. Conclusions: This Delphi review identified overarching areas of agreement that may serve as a blueprint for future implementation of connected hearing health technologies through either conventional or new service delivery models in the UK.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 344-351 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | International Journal of Audiology |
| Volume | 61 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors thank Sandra Smith for her administrative support throughout this project, as well as focus group attendees and expert panel members who made this research possible. This paper presents independent research funded by the NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre and was carried out at the NIHR Nottingham Clinical Research Facilities. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the UK NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society.
Keywords
- Connected Hearing Health Technologies (CHHT)
- Delphi review
- Service delivery models
- over the counter
- personal sound amplification products
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Language and Linguistics
- Linguistics and Language
- Speech and Hearing