Audiologist Perception on Reporting Hearing Assessment Results to State Early Hearing Detection and Intervention...

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Public Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs are vital for identifying and managing hearing loss in infants.
• Effective data reporting from audiologists to EHDI programs is essential for program monitoring and improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reporting process and system usability for audiologists submitting hearing test results to state EHDI programs.
• To identify barriers encountered by audiologists during the data reporting process.

Main Methods:

• A multi-state evaluation involving 39 EHDI programs was conducted.
• Data from evaluation reports were extracted, coded, and thematically analyzed to identify common challenges.

Main Results:

• The most frequent barrier reported by audiologists was non-user-friendly data system design.
• Other significant barriers included insufficient administrative time, lack of understanding of reporting requirements, and challenges with required reporting methods (e.g., internet access in rural areas).

Conclusions:

• A variety of barriers impede audiologists' reporting of hearing test results to EHDI programs.
• Implementing diverse strategies to enhance the reporting process is recommended to improve data submission and support EHDI program goals.