Improved access to hearing services by those in regional or remote locations and providing more service delivery options for all people with hearing difficulties, especially during the COVID19 pandemic, are key drivers for teleaudiology. However, current use of digital remote tests for hearing assessment in audiological practice is relatively low. By understanding the device capabilities, needs and concerns of clients, and perceptions of audiologists, we can work towards developing innovative patient-centred solutions that leverage technology and address the issues.
A design thinking approach was taken to understand the experiences of people with known or suspected hearing loss using smartphone hearing tests at their home. The objectives were to discover user preferences and abilities, and sources of inaccuracy and mistrust with currently available hearing test apps, and to recommend modifications and additional features to increase usability, reliability and credibility.
Eight participants (age 23-86 yrs) downloaded two audiometry apps to their iPhone and performed the tests using Apple earphones at their home. They also completed three online surveys and engaged in a 15-minute phone interview.
Lack of perception of the app as a quality health tool, difficulty understanding the task from the start, and wanting a better and more personal explanation of the results were some of the key user needs. Recommended features are identified to obtain more reliable hearing thresholds when people are performing the test in their home environment, without live assistance from a hearing professional, and using devices and earphones that they have at home.
Email: nicky.chong-white@nal.gov.au
<mailto:nicky.chong-white@nal.gov.au>
Nicky Chong-White, PhD
Senior Research Engineer
16 University Avenue
Macquarie University NSW 2109 Australia
<https://www.nal.gov.au/>