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Abstract

Purpose: To examine the barriers to Washington State audiologists adopting telehealth as a means of improving accessibility to diagnostic audiology for infants.

Methods: A Qualtrics survey was distributed via e-mail and social media. Survey participants were required to be audiologists practicing in Washington State. The sixteen-question survey consisted of topics related to participant demographics, previous telehealth experience, and barriers to the use of telehealth for diagnostic infant auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. A total of 17 participants completed the survey.

Results: Survey responses indicated that Washington State audiologists are largely neutral or disagree with telehealth being an effective means of performing remote diagnostic ABRs. Participants primarily identified equipment cost as a barrier, and had varying opinions regarding insurance reimbursement, internet connection, privacy, and ability to counsel.

Conclusions: This study identified several barriers to the implementation of remote diagnostic ABR testing in Washington State. The neutral and negative view of telehealth for diagnostic infant ABR points to the need for education among Washington State audiologists. Disseminating information on the efficacy of telehealth to audiologists is a likely next step in reframing the current attitude toward remote diagnostic ABR and working toward reducing loss to follow-up rates for rural families.

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