Help-seeking journey to accessing audiology services in a peri-urban community in South Africa.

BACKGROUND:  Hearing impairment is an invisible disability affecting one in five people globally. Its ability to affect participation in activities of daily living means that it requires prompt identification and intervention. OBJECTIVE:  This article aims to define the process of accessing audiologists from the onset of symptoms for adults with hearing impairment in a peri-urban community in South Africa. METHOD:  Twenty-three participants were recruited through purposive sampling from an audiology department of a public hospital. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using an interview guide, and data were mapped according to the participants' responses from the onset of ear and hearing symptoms to the point of audiologist consultation for analysis. RESULTS:  Seventeen (74%) participants had long journeys to accessing the audiologist after seeking help from multiple providers, with those with short journeys (26%) being referred mostly by public healthcare providers. Despite participants being from one peri-urban community, their journeys were influenced by socio-economics, health illiteracy and other structural factors. Finally, Ear-Nose-Throat specialists linked participants with audiology services. CONCLUSION:  Accessing audiology services is a complex process in some contexts. The disparities in the social environment, lifestyle factors and pluralistic healthcare models influence access to audiologists. Healthcare providers must take cognisance of the journeys of adults with hearing impairment in their clinical interventions. Universal health coverage, in the form of the planned National Health Insurance (NHI) for all South African citizens, will play an important role in addressing the societal inequalities in accessing healthcare. Factors leading to long journeys should be addressed to facilitate early intervention.Contribution: The study raises implications for the planned NHI in South Africa, suggesting that universal health coverage could play a vital role in addressing societal inequalities in accessing healthcare, including audiology services.

Development of an artificial intelligence based occupational noise induced hearing loss early warning system for mine workers.

Introduction: Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss (ONIHL) is one of the most prevalent conditions among mine workers globally. This reality is due to mine workers being exposed to noise produced by heavy machinery, rock drilling, blasting, and so on. This condition can be compounded by the fact that mine workers often work in confined workspaces for extended periods of time, where little to no attenuation of noise occurs. The objective of this research work is to present a preliminary study of the development of a hearing loss, early monitoring system for mine workers. Methodology: The system consists of a smart watch and smart hearing muff equipped with sound sensors which collect noise intensity levels and the frequency of exposure. The collected information is transferred to a database where machine learning algorithms namely the logistic regression, support vector machines, decision tree and Random Forest Classifier are used to classify and cluster it into levels of priority. Feedback is then sent from the database to a mine worker smart watch based on priority level. In cases where the priority level is extreme, indicating high levels of noise, the smart watch vibrates to alert the miner. The developed system was tested in a mock mine environment consisting of a 67 metres tunnel located in the basement of a building whose roof top represents the "surface" of a mine. The mock-mine shape, size of the tunnel, steel-support infrastructure, and ventilation system are analogous to deep hard-rock mine. The wireless channel propagation of the mock-mine is statistically characterized in 2.4-2.5 GHz frequency band. Actual underground mine material was used to build the mock mine to ensure it mimics a real mine as close as possible. The system was tested by 50 participants both male and female ranging from ages of 18 to 60 years. Results and discussion: Preliminary results of the system show decision tree had the highest accuracy compared to the other algorithms used. It has an average testing accuracy of 91.25% and average training accuracy of 99.79%. The system also showed a good response level in terms of detection of noise input levels of exposure, transmission of the information to the data base and communication of recommendations to the miner. The developed system is still undergoing further refinements and testing prior to being tested in an actual mine.

Original Research Clinical attendance rate at a tertiary adult audiological service in South Africa.

BACKGROUND:  Clinical non-attendance to audiological appointments may negatively affect early diagnosis and intervention as well as treatment outcomes for adults with hearing impairments. OBJECTIVES:  This study aimed to explore the attendance rate and factors influencing attendance and non-attendance at an adult audiology diagnostic clinic at a tertiary hospital in Gauteng, South Africa. METHOD:  A mixed-methods research design, utilising structured questionnaires and a retrospective record review was adopted. A total of 31 adult patients at a diagnostic audiology clinic were interviewed. RESULTS:  Findings revealed an attendance rate of 47.62%, with 52.38% rate failure to return for follow-up appointments. Key reasons for attendance included understanding the need for appointments (57%), staff attitudes (42%) and appointment reminders (17%), and those for non-attendance included multiple appointments (33%), work commitments (28%), transport (8%) and forgetting about the appointment (8%). Six reasons for non-attendance were prominent in the current study: having multiple appointments (33%), work commitments (28%), forgetting the appointment (8%), transport difficulties (8%), attitudes and/or perceptions of the healthcare system (4%) and sequelae of hearing impairment (8%). CONCLUSION:  This study reinforces previous research findings while highlighting that health literacy and Batho Pele (people first) ethos by staff positively influence attendance.Contribution: Current findings contribute towards contextually relevant evidence on the attendance rate in this sector for ear and hearing care, as well as additional insights into factors influencing this within the South African context. This information is crucial for clinical services provision planning as well as for policy formulation around resource allocation in the public healthcare sector.

Influence of social inclusion and institutional culture on students' interactions in clinical settings.

BACKGROUND: Decolonisation of the Speech-Language and Hearing (SLH) professions in South Africa to be Afrocentric is a current focus. These professions continue to hold white Eurocentric English and/or Afrikaans knowledges and practices, which are reflective of the minority. As diversity of students in higher education increases, the obvious incongruency between the language of learning and teaching (English) and institutional culture of the programmes and students who use English as an Additional Language (EAL) becomes heightened. OBJECTIVES: The study's aim was to explore the learning and social experiences of EAL undergraduate students in a South African SLH training programme, with a specific focus on students' experiences in patient, clinical supervisor and peer interactions in clinical situations. METHOD: A total of 24 participants recruited through purposive sampling were included in this cross-sectional mixed-method online survey design study. Data from the survey were analysed through descriptive and thematic analysis approaches. RESULTS: Findings reveal a less than positive impression of EAL students in the current SLH training programme as far as their clinical experiences were concerned. The institutional culture of the SLH programme was reported to be disadvantageous to EAL students. These findings raise important implications for SLH training programmes, the regulator and the country's SLH professions as a whole. CONCLUSION: This study sheds light on the significant incongruency between the existing institutional culture and the increasing diversity of students, particularly those who use EAL, in South African SLH training programmes.Contribution: Findings not only illuminate the challenges but also offer a path forward towards a more inclusive and representative SLH profession in South Africa, aligned with the principles of decolonization and Afrocentrism.

Barriers and facilitators influencing hearing help-seeking behaviors for adults in a peri-urban community in South Africa: a preventive audiology study.

Objective: This study aims to examine the barriers and facilitators to accessing ear and hearing care experienced by adults with hearing impairment in a developing South African context. Methods: A total of 23 participants were recruited through purposive sampling from an audiology department of a public hospital in peri-urban South Africa. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted to capture a broad range of perspectives. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: Socio-economic factors acted as the primary barrier while structural and health system factors were the main facilitator in influencing participants' journeys toward hearing help-seeking. Conclusion: Help-seeking decisions made by adults with hearing impairment are impacted by numerous factors. Individual, providers, and environmental factors combine to play a significant role in resolving ear and hearing complaints. Socio-economic and healthcare level gaps reveal the inequalities that affect help-seekers, which, therefore, need to be addressed. The provision of equitable audiology services within hearing health policy is critical for the prevention of severe consequences of hearing impairment. Plans to implement universal healthcare through the National Health Insurance (NHI) by the South African government must include the universal access to preventive audiology services.

Patterns of presentation of adults with hearing impairment in a peri-urban community in South Africa: a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: There is a wealth of research, globally, on the help-seeking behavior patterns of individuals with a variety of chronic medical conditions. Contextually relevant findings have been reported describing the influence of a disease and/or disorder together with the related personal, social, environmental, and region-specific factors. However, research related to help-seeking behavior patterns in hearing impairment is mostly found in high income countries (HICs) and tells a one-sided story indicating a knowledge gap in other contexts. As part of a bigger study titled "In pursuit of preventive audiology: Help-seeking behavior patterns of adults with hearing impairment in a peri-urban community in South Africa", the main aim of this study was to describe the patterns of presentation of symptoms in adults with hearing impairment from a peri-urban community in South Africa. METHODS: Through a non-probability purposive sampling method, 23 adults with hearing impairment participated in semi-structured interviews using an interview guide from April - June 2021. Thematic analysis through a deductive analysis approach was adopted for data analysis. RESULTS: Participants' patterns of presentation indicated a belief in a Western bio-medical causation to explain their hearing impairment. Help-seekers sought help mostly from healthcare workers at all levels of healthcare in the public (primary, secondary, and tertiary) and private healthcare sectors, followed by a few participants consulting their social networks. Only one participant used a traditional healthcare provider to resolve his hearing difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: In a diverse country like South Africa, with a majority African population, the influence of cultural practices and beliefs proved to have a minimal influence on participants' help-seeking behavior for their ear and hearing challenges. However, an interplay of factors related to one's context at the time played a significant role in the patterns of presentation to the ear and hearing clinic. There is therefore a need to understand the perspectives of adults with hearing impairment from their environments to facilitate more contextual relevancy in healthcare provision within the preventive audiology field. Hearing health policymakers should also endeavor to consider the realities of health-seeking in each context and environment.

Erratum: Conducting clinical research in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and lessons for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology research.

No abstract available.

In pursuit of best practice through contextually relevant, accountable and responsive research.

No abstract available.

The impact of COVID-19 on speech-language and hearing professions in low- and middle-income countries: Challenges and opportunities explored.

BACKGROUND:  Since the advent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the speech-language and hearing (SLH) professions globally have been confronted with novel and unexpected challenges. OBJECTIVE:  The aim of this article was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on SLH professions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as presented in the Special Issue of the South African Journal of Communication Disorders in the year 2022. METHOD:  Divergent from the standard editorial writing style, this editorial adopted a research approach where a qualitative, descriptive scoping review design was conducted to meet the objectives of the study. Three specific objectives were targeted: (1) exploring the challenges to SLH research, teaching and practice; (2) establishing evidence-based solutions available for these challenges that can be used to improve the professions' response in the post-pandemic era; and (3) determining the areas that require further investigation, alternative solutions and innovation for improved readiness for future pandemics. A total of 21 manuscripts were reviewed that covered three predetermined themes - research, teaching and practice - that were constructed through a deductive approach as part of the call for papers for the special issue. These manuscripts were from academics, researchers and clinicians from various institutions in LMICs. The review is presented using thematic analysis. RESULTS:  The review raised important challenges, presented under various subthemes, to the three key themes. These challenges reflect on the impact of COVID-19 on the SLH professions in terms of research, teaching, service provision and ethical challenges, as well as its impact on speech language, hearing, swallowing and balance functions. The review also advanced solutions and future directions during and beyond COVID-19. CONCLUSION:  These findings raise global implications for research, teaching and practice that are not only relevant to the SLH professions.

Simulations as a mode of clinical training in healthcare professions: A scoping review to guide planning in speech-language pathology and audiology during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

BACKGROUND:  Simulation plays an important role as an alternative method for training of students, particularly in health education. As a result of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions of face-to-face interactions, traditional teaching methods have been disrupted, increasing the need for alternative methods to supplement modes of student clinical training in healthcare programmes. OBJECTIVES:  The scoping review aimed to determine what has been documented about simulation as a mode of clinical training in healthcare professions (HCPs) in order to guide speech-language pathology and audiology (SLPA) professions during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. METHOD:  A scoping review was conducted. Electronic bibliographic databases including Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus MEDLINE, ProQuest, Google Scholar and WorldCat were searched to identify peer reviewed publications, published in English, between January 2011 and December 2021, and related to the use of simulation in HCPs clinical training programmes. RESULTS:  A total of 32 articles met the inclusion criteria for this scoping review. Three themes emerged when reviewing the studies: (1) face-to-face simulations as a mode of clinical training, (2) virtual reality simulation and telesimulation as modes of clinical training and (3) simulation as a complementary mode of clinical training. Evidence suggests that whilst simulations are cost-effective, accessible and efficacious as clinical training modes, they need to be combined with other modes of training such as the traditional clinical training to yield better learning outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:  Current findings highlight the role and value of simulation as a clinical training mode during COVID-19 and beyond. However, there are aspects that need to be considered to ensure that this mode of clinical training is effective, with endorsement and regulations by the SLPA Professional Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Simulations need to be complemented with traditional clinical training methods. In the context of SLPA, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), simulation can be used to better prepare students for their clinical placement where clinical training platforms are limited and where simulation combined with teletraining or telesupervision can be utilised to increase access to training.

Cochleovestibular findings linked to COVID-19: A scoping review for clinical care planning in South Africa.

BACKGROUND:  On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared an outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be a global health emergency. Research has focused on the impact and response to life-threatening symptoms of COVID-19 across the lifespan; however, there is a need to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on the cochleovestibular system, as viral infections are known to impact this system. This is particularly important for contexts where resources are limited and prioritisation of resources requires strong risk versus benefit evaluations. OBJECTIVE:  Therefore, the purpose of this scoping review was to investigate published evidence on the impact of COVID-19 on the cochleovestibular system across the lifespan in order to allow for strategic clinical care planning in South Africa, where capacity versus demand challenges exist. METHODS:  Electronic bibliographic databases such as CINAHL, EBSCOHost, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect were searched for peer-reviewed publications between January 2020 and January 2022. These had to be published in English and related to the impact of COVID-19 on the cochleovestibular system, where the question was: 'what evidence has been published on the impact of COVID-19 on the cochleovestibular system?' Review selection and characterisation was performed by the researcher with an independent review by a colleague using pretested forms. RESULTS:  Of a total of 24 studies that met the inclusion criteria, the current scoping review revealed limited conclusive published evidence linking COVID-19 to permanent hearing function symptoms. Current evidence supports the possibility of COVID-19, similar to other viral infections in adults, impacting the cochleovestibular system and causing tinnitus, vertigo and sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL), with the symptoms being generally temporary and resolving either partially or completely following therapy with steroids, with very inconclusive findings in the paediatric population. CONCLUSION:  These findings raise global implications for properly designed studies, which include longitudinal follow-up of cases across the lifespan, examining this link with some focus on establishing the pathophysiologic mechanisms at play as well. In the meanwhile, current findings raise the value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for all patients presenting with unexplained cochleovestibular symptoms during the pandemic, as these may be the only presenting symptoms indicating COVID-19, thus requiring careful treatment and management.

A proposed artificial intelligence-based real-time speech-to-text to sign language translator for South African official languages for the COVID-19 era and beyond: In pursuit of solutions for the hearing impaired.

BACKGROUND:  The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in communication being heightened as one of the critical aspects in the implementation of interventions. Delays in the relaying of vital information by policymakers have the potential to be detrimental, especially for the hearing impaired. OBJECTIVES:  This study aims to conduct a scoping review on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time speech-to-text to sign language translation and consequently propose an AI-based real-time translation solution for South African languages from speech-to-text to sign language. METHODS:  Electronic bibliographic databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE and ProQuest were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications published in English between 2019 and 2021 that provided evidence on AI-based real-time speech-to-text to sign language translation as a solution for the hearing impaired. This review was done as a precursor to the proposed real-time South African translator. RESULTS:  The review revealed a dearth of evidence on the adoption and/or maximisation of AI and machine learning (ML) as possible solutions for the hearing impaired. There is a clear lag in clinical utilisation and investigation of these technological advances, particularly in the African continent. CONCLUSION:  Assistive technology that caters specifically for the South African community is essential to ensuring a two-way communication between individuals who can hear clearly and individuals with hearing impairments, thus the proposed solution presented in this article.

Application of machine learning approaches to analyse student success for contact learning and emergency remote teaching and learning during the COVID-19 era in speech-language pathology and audiology.

BACKGROUND:  The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe resulted in countries taking several measures to curb the spread of the disease. One of the measures taken was the locking down of countries, which entailed restriction of movement both locally and internationally. To ensure continuation of the academic year, emergency remote teaching and learning (ERTL) was launched by several institutions of higher learning in South Africa, where the norm was previously face-to-face or contact teaching and learning. The impact of this change is not known for the speech-language pathology and audiology (SLPA) students. This motivated this study. OBJECTIVES:  This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on SLPA undergraduate students during face-to-face teaching and learning, ERTL and transitioning towards hybrid teaching and learning. METHOD:  Using course marks for SLPA undergraduate students, K means clustering and Random Forest classification were used to analyse students' performance and to detect patterns between students' performance and the attributes that impact student performance. RESULTS:  Analysis of the data set indicated that funding is one of the main attributes that contributed significantly to students' performance; thus, it became one of the priority features in 2020 and 2021 during COVID-19. CONCLUSION:  The clusters of students obtained during the analysis and their attributes can be used in identification of students that are at risk of not completing their studies in the minimum required time and early interventions can be provided to the students.

Conducting clinical research in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic: Challenges and lessons for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology research.

BACKGROUND: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presented new and unanticipated challenges to the academic training and performance of clinical research at undergraduate and postgraduate levels of training. This highlighted the need for reimagining research designs and methods to ensure continued generation of knowledge - a core function of a research-intensive university. Whilst adhering to government regulations geared towards protecting both the research participants and researchers, innovative research methods are required. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this scoping review is to explore published evidence on innovative clinical research methods and processes employed during COVID-19 and to document challenges encountered and lessons that the fields of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology can learn. METHODS: Electronic bibliographic databases including Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, ProQuest were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications, published in English, between 2019 and 2021, related to innovative clinical research methods and processes applied where in-person contact is regulated. RESULTS: Significant challenges with conducting research in the COVID-19 era were identified, with important lessons learned and numerous opportunities that have relevance for this pandemic era and beyond. These findings are presented under 10 themes that emerged that highlight important considerations for research methods and processes during a pandemic and beyond. The findings of this study also raise implications for telehealth from which low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where resource challenges exist, can benefit. CONCLUSION: Challenges and opportunities identified in this review have relevance for the field of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology as far as current and future (beyond COVID-19) clinical research planning is concerned.

In pursuit of increasing the application of tele-audiology in South Africa: COVID-19 puts on the alert for patient site facilitator training.

BACKGROUND:  The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presented and highlighted new and unanticipated challenges to the provision of clinical services, raising an urgency for the application of different models of service delivery, including tele-audiology. In many tele-audiology encounters, a site facilitator is needed at the patient site to help with the hands-on aspects of procedures, and the implications of this requirement are significant for the resource-constrained African context. OBJECTIVES:  The aim of this scoping review was to investigate published evidence on training provided to patient site facilitators (PSFs) for tele-audiology application to guide the South African audiology community in tele-audiology application initiatives. METHOD:  Electronic bibliographic databases including Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus MEDLINE and ProQuest were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications, published in English, between 2017 and 2021 related to training of PSFs. The guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) were followed during the screening process as well as for illustrating the process. RESULTS:  Findings are discussed under four key themes: (1) type of tele-audiology and the implications thereof, (2) length of training and its implications, (3) diversity in the range of PSFs used and its implications for the training, and (4) heterogeneity in the training. CONCLUSION:  The findings highlight important considerations for tele-audiology application within the African context, specifically decision-making around who can serve in the role of PSFs, as well as content and nature of training required, with implications for policy and regulations as well as human resource strategy. These findings are important for the COVID-19 pandemic era and beyond.

Middle ear status - structure, function and pathology: A scoping review on middle ear status of COVID-19 positive patients.

BACKGROUND:  The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is the latest public health emergency that has presented challenges globally. Limited evidence exists on the association between COVID-19 and middle ear pathologies, regardless of the respiratory nature of some of the core symptoms. OBJECTIVE:  This scoping review aimed at exploring evidence on the effects of COVID-19 on middle ear functioning as part of symptom mapping and preventive planning for ear and hearing care. METHOD:  Electronic bibliographic databases, including Medline, ProQuest, PubMed, Science Direct, ERIC and Scopus, were searched to identify peer reviewed publications, published in English, between December 2019 and January 2022, related to the effects of COVID-19 on middle ear functioning. The keywords used as MeSH terms included 'middle ear pathology', 'middle ear disorder', 'otitis media', 'hearing loss', 'hearing impairment', 'audiology' and 'COVID-19' or 'coronavirus'. RESULTS:  From eight studies that met the inclusion criteria, the findings revealed that middle ear pathologies occur in this population, with the occurrence ranging from 1.15% to 75%. Tympanic membrane structural changes, otitis media and conductive hearing loss (CHL) were commonly reported. The current findings must be interpreted with caution given that most of the studies reviewed had extremely small sample sizes or were case studies or series, thus limiting generalisability. CONCLUSION:  The findings highlight the value of strategic research planning to collate data during pandemics, ensuring that future studies use appropriate and well-designed methodologies. Trends and patterns of middle ear pathologies in this population must also be established to determine the need for periodic monitoring.

Hearing Function in Adults with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Scoping Review for Preventive Audiology Planning.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease which affects the joints and bones of individuals diagnosed with this condition. Little remains known about the possible impact of this disease on hearing function, particularly the possibilities of preventive audiology in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). The study aimed to review published evidence on hearing function in adults with RA. A scoping review of literature from January 2010 to August 2020 was conducted using Sage, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Medline, ProQuest and Google Scholar. Studies published in English which reported on the audiological function in adult individuals with RA were included in the review. From 832 initial title records, 18 articles were included into the final scoping review. A qualitative analysis of the reviewed evidence revealed four themes: (1) hearing loss occurs-causality still unclear; (2) nature, degree and configuration of the hearing loss varies; (3) systematic and standardized assessment battery required; and (4) sensitive and specific measures for early detection needed. The occurrence of hearing loss in this population ranges between 21.3 and 66.6%, and this increased where advanced sensitive measures such as ultrahigh frequency and otoacoustic emission (OAEs) measures were included in the test battery. Many audiological tests were used in the studies in order to identify the presence and type of hearing loss in these individuals, with basic audiometry testing being the most commonly used. The most prevalent type of hearing loss was found to be a high frequency sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), with mixed (MHL) and conductive hearing losses (CHL) being present in some of the individuals. Causal links between RA and hearing loss remains unclear. Although there are limited studies which have reported on the audiological function in the population with RA, the studies which have been reviewed seem to establish an association between RA and the presence of hearing loss. The published high prevalence of hearing loss in this population, when compared to healthy control groups raises implications for well-designed studies that utilize sensitive audiologic diagnostic measures, with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria to ensure more accurate causal links establishment between RA and hearing loss in this population.

Investigating Hearing Function in Pediatric Patients with Renal Dysfunction: In Pursuit of Preventive Audiology Outcomes.

Chronic kidney is being increasingly recognized as a global health problem with effects that have implications for both mortality and morbidity; with hearing loss being one of the effects that has an impact on quality of life. This study aimed to describe hearing function in a group of children with chronic renal dysfunction receiving treatment in an academic hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. One hundred children between the ages 5 and 18 years (mean age 11.68) were included in the study. A cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative research design was employed. All participants underwent a case history interview and an audiological examination which included otoscopy, immittance testing, pure tone audiometry including extended high frequency testing up to 16 kHz as well as diagnostic distortion product otoacoustic emission testing. A medical record review was also done. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the collected data. Results revealed that there was a high prevalence of hearing loss in this group. The most common hearing loss was a low and high to ultrahigh frequency mild sensorineural hearing loss. No relationship between the severity of hearing loss and the severity of renal dysfunction, or the duration of renal dysfunction and the duration of treatment was found. However, a relationship between the severity of hearing loss and certain treatments was found. These were v hemodialysis and the use of ototoxic medication such as loop diuretics, tuberculosis medication, and antimalarial medication. Current findings highlight the importance of extended high frequency audiometry as well as diagnostic distortion product otoacoustic emission testing for early detection of hearing impairment, in pursuit of preventive audiology outcomes, in ototoxic monitoring in this population.

The Use of Tele Practice in Assessment of Middle Ear Function in Adults Living with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is the latest threat to global health that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Tele-practice has inadvertently sprung to the forefront to become a common practice amongst healthcare providers during COVID-19. Limited evidence exists on the use of tele-practice in assessing middle ear function in adults living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study were to investigate the use of tele-practice for assessment of middle ear function in adults with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative observational, cross-sectional design was adopted. A total of 134 adults diagnosed with HIV were purposively selected from the HIV clinic. An audiology researcher, in the role of site-facilitator, captured video otoscopic images of the tympanic membrane using a video otoscopy for all participants through asynchronous tele-practice. All captured images were sent to two independent otorhinolaryngologists for diagnosis. Findings of this study indicated that tele-practice can be used to assess middle ear function in adults living with HIV during COVID-19 pandemic. When asynchronous tele-practice was used, there was a moderate diagnostic agreement (k = 0.58) between the two otorhinolaryngologists on abnormality versus normality, but poor agreement (k = 0.15) on the nature of abnormality (e.g. OME vs CSOM). Current findings highlight the urgent need for a widespread use of tele-practice during the continued clinical follow up and management of adults living with HIV, and the implementation of tele-practice, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where capacity versus demand challenges related to ear and hearing care continue to exists.

Investigation of the Interaction between Hearing Function and Comorbidities in Adults Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Adults living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have a high prevalence of co-existing comorbidities. While research indicates that adults living with HIV are at risk of developing hearing impairment, limited research exists on the interaction between hearing function and comorbidities in this population. The objective of this study was to determine and compare the hearing function of a group of adults living with HIV and comorbidities and those without comorbidities. A sample of 132 adults living with HIV underwent a basic audiological test battery to assess their hearing function. Participants with comorbidities were 1.23 times more likely to develop hearing loss, with crude odds of 1.236 (95%CI 0.5467 to 2.795), while those with three comorbidities were 2.52 times more likely to develop hearing loss. Participants with hypertension were 93% more likely to develop hearing loss when compared to nonhypertensive participants (OR = 1.928; 95%CI: 0.7856 to 4.7345). There was only a marginal association between hypercholesterolemia and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), with no association between other comorbidities and the type of hearing loss. The current findings raise a need for prioritizing patients with comorbidities in audiological assessment and monitoring in resource-constrained contexts, where capacity versus demand challenges might prevent the provision of audiological services to all adults living with HIV. These findings also highlight the importance of preventive care in this population with regard to the burden of the disease, as it may lead to worse ear and hearing outcomes for affected individuals.