User-Operated Audiometry Project (UAud) – Introducing an Automated User-Operated System for Audiometric Testing Into Everyday Clinic Practice

Sidiras, Christos; Sanchez-Lopez, Raul; Pedersen, Ellen Raben; Sørensen, Chris Bang; Nielsen, Jacob; Schmidt, Jesper Hvass

Abstract

Hearing loss is the third leading cause of years lived with disability. It is estimated that 430 million people worldwide are affected, and the number of cases is expected to increase in the future. There is therefore increased pressure on hearing health systems around the world to improve efficiency and reduce costs to ensure increased access to quality hearing health care. Here, we describe the User-Operated Audiometry project, the goal of which is to introduce an automated system for user-operated audiometric testing into everyday clinic practice as a means to relieve part of this pressure. The alternative to the existing referral route is presented in which examination is executed via the user-operated system. This route is conceptualized as an interaction between the patient, the system, and the hearing care professional (HCP). Technological requirements of the system and challenges that are related to the interaction between patients, the user-operated system, and the HCPs within the specific medical setting are discussed. Lastly, a strategy for the development and implementation of user-operated audiometry is presented, which includes initial investigations, a validation study, and implementation in a real-life clinical situation.

Citation

Sidiras, C., Sanchez-Lopez, R., Pedersen, E. R., Sørensen, C. B., Nielsen, J., & Schmidt, J. H. (2021). User-Operated Audiometry Project (UAud) – Introducing an Automated User-Operated System for Audiometric Testing Into Everyday Clinic Practice. Frontiers in Digital Health, 3, Article 724748. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2021.724748

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Sep 13, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 7, 2021
• Publication Date: Oct 7, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jul 28, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 29, 2022
• Journal: Frontiers in Digital Health
• Print ISSN: 2673-253X
• Electronic ISSN: 2673-253X
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• Article Number: 724748
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2021.724748
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/9407474
• Publisher URL: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fdgth.2021.724748/full