New Book on Telehealth in Audiology

By Amanda Farah Cox

A new book is being released on telehealth in audiology. Telepractice in Audiology, by Emma Rushbrooke and K. Todd Houston is a look at best practices for audiology, and features a foreword by Ida Institute Advisory Board Chairwoman Louise Hickson.

Telepractice in Audiology is a general reference for the world of teleaudiology (and broader telepractices in general), and provides a hands-on, practical approach to getting started with telehealth. Telepractice answers questions about the most basic tenets, such as examining what teleaudiology is and clarifying terminology, while also addressing training requirements for different services, hardware and software requirements, and potential barriers to implementation.

Contributors to the book include Ida Advisory Board member DeWet Swanepoel and Ida fellows David Fabry and Beth Atkinson. The chapters focus on different services that can be provided, such as remote hearing aid fittings and mappings of cochlear implants, early detections and interventions, and possibilities for rehabilitation such as AR and AVT.

Telepractice also looks at the possibility of teletraining as a continuing education method – including where person-centered care is concerned – and the roles that communication partners can play as facilitators in sessions. There is a strong emphasis on teleaudiology as a way of extending care to people with hearing loss outside of their appointments, and the ability to reach people who otherwise would not have access to hearing healthcare.

Ida has been working with telehealth as part of our Vision 2020 process. We are excited to see the practice of teleaudiology spreading, especially as we plan to role out our Ida Telecare platform later this month. Until then, you can take a look at our Vision 2020 Telehealth pages for inspiration.

Telepractice in Audiology is available from January 12 through Plural Publishing.