Hearing loss is an invisible disability that impacts the quality of life. Connections have been made between hearing loss and cognitive and balance impairments, depression and isolation, poor academic performance, and a list of other effects resulting from hearing loss. Limited access and affordability contributes to the lack of hearing care. Though recently, more research has been done on the positive impact of how digital health and telehealth technology can enhance access to healthcare.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America recently published an article about research conducted on how digital health solutions can expand audiology services in clinical and research settings.
It stated that hearing loss is present in 1.6 billion people worldwide. The major contributing factors to hearing loss included exposure to harmful noise levels and ototoxicity (medications resulting in hearing damage).
An emphasis was placed on the importance of hearing assessments to monitor hearing health and to detect hearing loss in earlier stages to help with hearing loss prevention. With precautionary efforts, researchers believe that 60 percent of hearing loss among children is preventable.
The study found that 44% of the world’s population lives in rural areas, thus limiting access to proper hearing healthcare. Telehealth technology is a solution in providing individuals living in rural areas access to hearing healthcare.
“Telehealth can be used in a variety of contexts, including noise and ototoxic exposure monitoring, field testing in rural and low-resource settings, and evaluating auditory outcomes in large-scale clinical trials.”
There is an urgency for more access and more affordable hearing healthcare. In addition, more hearing health education is needed for preventable measures and there are audiologists who are making it easier to access this services. Providing individuals with access and options to digital health can help reduce the negative stigma surrounding those with hearing loss and can even push individuals to take action with their hearing health.
You can start taking action with AudioCardio’s sound therapy app. AudioCardio is a technology company focused on hearing health and wellness. Learn how AudioCardio can help maintain and strengthen your hearing with your favorite headphones or hearing aids at www.audiocardio.com.
