During National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, audiologists and speech-language pathologists strive to promote awareness of hearing loss and communication disorders. At Texas Hearing Institute, we know promoting better hearing, language and speech is a lifelong journey that cannot be limited to a single month in the year. Our Audiology Clinic works hard to increase awareness around the impacts of untreated pediatric hearing loss and develops innovative methods to expand the accessibility of pediatric audiology services across Texas.
Telehealth and remote care have become standard practice in many medical clinics to provide accessible and convenient services to patients of all ages. Telehealth can be used to reach patients in rural and underserved areas, where access to specialized medical services, including pediatric audiology, may be limited. Some telehealth appointments even allow patients to complete appointments from the comfort of their home or workplace, which often makes it easier for families to fit appointments into their busy schedules. In addition, telehealth and remote appointments cut down on the commute required of families traveling to Texas Hearing Institute from a distance.
Over the past year, Texas Hearing Institute has introduced two new telehealth appointment types: remote auditory brainstem response (ABR) evaluations and remote hearing aid follow-ups.
Remote Diagnostic Services: Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Testing
In June 2023, Texas Hearing Institute launched First Sounds, a remote auditory brainstem response (ABR) program based in Lufkin, Texas in collaboration with Audiological Services. This allows us to offer diagnostic services to families in East Texas in order to identify and diagnosis hearing loss early and ensure timely access to early intervention services. ABR testing is performed after an infant fails their newborn hearing screening in the hospital and diagnoses infants and young children with hearing loss by examining the brain’s response to sound while the child is sleeping. Through the First Sounds program, our skilled pediatric audiologists at Texas Hearing Institute complete and interpret the testing remotely while the child is present with Audiological Services staff in Lufkin. Since this program’s creation, 38 patients have been seen, three diagnosed with permanent hearing loss.
Remote Amplification Services: Hearing Aid Follow-Ups
This year, Texas Hearing Institute launched remote hearing aid follow-ups with our audiology assistant Dalia Padilla. For many families, the first few weeks after being fit with new hearing aids can be overwhelming. Parents and patients can have a difficult time adjusting to new technology, remembering how to insert the ear molds and learning how to use the tools and accessories that come with a new set of hearing aids. Rather than driving to Texas Hearing Institute to ask questions or to receive additional audiology support during those first few weeks, families are now able to make a telehealth appointment with Dalia, who will be able to answer any questions they might have regarding device use, cleaning and maintenance and/or any other concerns. After each remote session, the patient’s managing audiologist is updated.
Remote Audiology Appointments at Texas Hearing Institute
Telehealth and remote appointments offer significant benefits for families and providers in ensuring access to services regardless of families’ location or schedule. These new remote audiology appointments are just a few examples of the ways that our expert audiology team at Texas Hearing Institute is working to ensure access to pediatric audiology care throughout all of Texas.
