2022 NHCA Annual Virtual Conference

Growing demands for audiologic care related to early detection of hearing loss and prevention, require defining new pathways utilizing audiology-extender models (audiology assistants, nurses, technicians) to promote timely accessibility and affordability of care. We aimed to define care pathways for individuals age 50 years or older with suspected normal hearing. Initial clinical 6-month planning data for ages 50-55 years demonstrated ~65% (233/359) with a diagnosis of normal hearing. For the clinical practice pilot, two pathways were defined including direct to audiology referral (audiologist; higher risk) versus preventative medicine hearing wellness screening (nursing; lower risk). Over the 4-month evaluation period, 200 patients (ages 18-59 years) scheduled for Audiology were identified. Participants meeting the pre-defined clinical triage criteria (n=32; ~16%) were offered a hearing wellness screening via automated audiometry prior to their scheduled Audiology visit. Enhancements in clinical triage, clinical practice protocols/workflows, auditory risk assessment, patient education, and outcomes reporting were accomplished. Outcomes indicated feasibility and capacity of audiology-extender models (combined with hearing metrics) to improve accessibility to meet the hearing needs of the patient.