Remote Hearing Screenings via Telehealth in a Rural Elementary….pdfVIP

Research and Technology Paper Remote Hearing Screenings via Telehealth in a Rural Elementary School Paul Lancaster Hearing and Balance Centers at the Elks, Nampa, ID Mark Krumm Kent State University, Kent, OH John Ribera Utah State University, Logan Richard Klich Kent State University Purpose: Telehealth (telepractice) is the provi- for pure-tone screening results obtained by sion of health care services using telecommuni- telehealth or on-site screening procedures (bi- cations. Telehealth technology typically has nomial test, p = .37). Likewise, overall screening been employed to increase the level of health results obtained by traditional and telehealth care access for consumers living in rural com- procedures were not statistically significant munities. In this way, audiologists can use (binomial test, p = .37). telehealth to provide services in the rural school Conclusion: The results of this study suggest systems. This is important because school that school hearing screenings may be provided hearing screening programs are the foundation using telehealth technology. This study did find of educational audiology programs. Therefore, that 5 students performed differently to pure- the goal of this study was to determine the tone screenings administered by the telehealth feasibility of providing hearing screening services protocol in contrast to on-site hearing screening by telehealth technology to school-age children. ser