A randomised controlled clinical trial to assess the benefits of a telecare tool delivered prior to the initial hearing assessment

Abstract

Objective: To assess the benefits of the Ida Institute's Why improve my hearing? Telecare Tool used before the initial hearing assessment appointment. Design(s): A prospective, single-blind randomised clinical trial with two arms: (i) Why improve my hearing? Telecare Tool intervention, and (ii) standard care control. Study sample: Adults with hearing loss were recruited from two Audiology Services within the United Kingdom's publicly-funded National Health Service. Of 461 individuals assessed for eligibility, 57 were eligible to participate. Result(s): Measure of Audiologic Rehabilitation Self-efficacy for Hearing Aids (primary outcome) scores did not differ between groups from baseline to post-assessment (Mean change [DELTA]= -2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]= -6.70, 2.15, p=.307) and 10-weeks follow-up (Mean DELTA= -2.69; 95% CI= -9.52, 4.15, p =.434). However, Short Form Patient Activation Measure scores significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group from baseline to post-assessment (Mean DELTA= -6.06, 95% CI= -11.31, -0.82, p =.024, ES=.61) and 10-weeks follow-up (Mean DELTA= -9.87, 95% CI= -15.34, -4.40, p =.001, ES= -.97). Conclusion(s): This study demonstrates that while a patient-centred telecare intervention completed before management decisions may not improve an individual's self-efficacy to manage their hearing loss, it can lead to improvements in readiness. Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group on behalf of British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society.