These are stressful and uncertain times. As we monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, everyone should be concerned with minimizing the spread of infection. Doing everything possible to best protect patients, coworkers, themselves and their families. We are all in this together, and the following information can help provide guidance on best practices as they pertain to infection control.
Incorporating mobile audiometry, including solo play audiometry, into your clinical toolbox can open new doors to successfully testing more patients, including young children.
According to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project - an organization that publishes longitudinal hospital care data in the US - hospital inpatient care accounts for more than one-third of the total cost of healthcare in the United States. This makes it a significant driver in the rising cost of managing disease. Although hospital inpatient stays are on the decline for many population groups, there is relentless pressure to increase the value and efficiency of a patient’s time spent in a hospital. Efficiency initiatives are evident in every area of a hospital. The audiology department is no exception.
Optical providers have discovered that offering hearing testing onsite – whether it’s a self-administered screening or a clinically-valid comprehensive test - is a key differentiator for their businesses since many consumers find the “one stop shop” convenient and attractive. Tablet-based audiometry and the support from their manufacturers makes getting started simple and affordable.
If you work in a noisy environment, your employer has an obligation to work with you to preserve your sense of hearing. One of the most important components of your employer’s responsibility is to provide a regular, no-cost hearing test to establish a baseline and monitor for any hearing changes throughout your career. Even though you can’t “study” for a hearing test to get the best results, there are some things you can do to prepare and ensure an accurate test.
