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Remote Cochlear Implant Services to Improve Veteran Outcomes
Cyndi E Trueheart1, Douglas M Hildrew2
1Surgical Service Line, Veterans Administration Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT.
American Journal of Audiology
|July 21, 2025
Summary
Teleaudiology services improve cochlear implant (CI) care access for Veterans, especially those in rural areas. Remote CI programming and aural rehabilitation enhance patient outcomes and reduce costs.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Otolaryngology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Cochlear implants (CIs) are crucial for severe hearing loss.
- Veterans Health Administration (VHA) faces challenges in providing consistent CI services, particularly for rural Veterans.
- Expanding CI access and services is a VHA priority.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe care models for severely hard-of-hearing Veterans.
- To provide replicable solutions for CI service delivery within the VHA.
- To address challenges in accessing CI care for remote Veterans.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing telehealth options like clinical video telehealth (CVT) and VA video connect (VVC) for CI programming.
- Implementing remote aural rehabilitation programs for CI recipients.
- Describing an innovative model for remote audiology service delivery.
Main Results:
- Telehealth significantly improves access to CI care.
- Remote programming reduces wait times, travel burdens, and costs.
- Remote aural rehabilitation can enhance patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Remote teleaudiology CI services offer a patient-centered, cost-effective solution for the VHA.
- Standardizing telehealth for CI programming and rehabilitation is essential.
- These strategies ensure equitable CI care access for all Veterans, improving outcomes and reducing barriers.
