Hearing Care Providers' Perspectives on the Utility of Datalogging Information

Purpose: The aim of the study was to learn (a) how datalogging information is being used in clinical practice by hearing care providers (HCPs) in the United States and (b) HCPs' opinions about how information collected through the hearing aids could be broadened in clinical application. Method:...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of audiology 2020-09, Vol.29 (3S), p.610-622
Main Authors: Saunders, Gabrielle H., Bott, Anthea, Tietz, Lukas H. B.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Access to Information
Algorithms
Assistive Technology
Attitudes
Audiology
Automation
Clinical decision making
Clinical medicine
Cochlear implants
Content analysis
Counseling
Decision making
Educational Attainment
Environment
Government (Administrative Body)
Hearing aids
Interviews
Listening
Polls & surveys
Signal to noise ratio
Transplants & implants
Trouble shooting
Troubleshooting
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Summary:Purpose: The aim of the study was to learn (a) how datalogging information is being used in clinical practice by hearing care providers (HCPs) in the United States and (b) HCPs' opinions about how information collected through the hearing aids could be broadened in clinical application. Method: A mixed-method approach was undertaken consisting of an online quantitative survey and qualitative structured telephone interviews. Survey data were analyzed using descriptives and chi-square analyses. The interview data were transcribed and analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: In total, 154 HCPs completed the survey, of whom 10 also completed an interview. Survey data showed that most HCPs use datalogging for conventional applications, such as counseling and fine-tuning during a hearing aid trial. Interview data highlighted four additional desirable datalogging features: (a) data about the sound environment, (b) details about operational aspects of hearing aid use, (c) data about use and nonuse, and (d) automated diagnosis of a hearing aid malfunction. HCPs also envisaged using datalogging in novel ways, such as for demonstrating hearing aid value and supporting decision making. Conclusions: Today, datalogging is primarily used as a tool for counseling clients about hours and patterns of hearing aid use and for troubleshooting and fine-tuning. However, HCPs suggested novel and more ambitious uses of datalogging such as for sending alerts about nonuse, for automated diagnosis of a hearing aid malfunction, and for helping the client in their decision making. It remains to be seen whether in the future these will be implemented into clinical practice.
ISSN:1059-0889
1558-9137
DOI:10.1044/2020_AJA-19-00089