Changing Knowledge, Principles, and Technology in Contemporary Clinical Audiological Practice: A Narrative Review.

Area of Science:

• Audiology and auditory sciences.
• Psychological, cognitive, and behavioral interactions in hearing health.

Background:

• The field of audiology has undergone significant transformation.
• Increased understanding of psychological, cognitive, and behavioral factors influences audiological practice.
• Technological advancements, including teleaudiology, are reshaping clinical methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of teleaudiology on audiological principles and practices.
• To explore how new knowledge and capabilities are changing audiology.
• To examine the integration of technological innovations in hearing healthcare.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of contemporary adult audiological practice.
• Analysis of advancements in loudness models, tinnitus, psychoacoustics, and artificial intelligence.
• Consideration of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs).

Main Results:

• Technological innovations are revolutionizing assessment, hearing device fitting, and rehabilitation.
• Teleaudiology has become a fundamental aspect of modern audiology.
• New knowledge has shifted priorities in clinical audiology, emphasizing patient autonomy and agency.

Conclusions:

• Audiology is advancing through interdisciplinary knowledge and technological integration.
• Teleaudiology and data-driven approaches are enhancing patient engagement and outcomes.
• The field is redefining the approach to hearing loss as a health and medical issue.