Parent’s satisfaction on tele-listening training for children with Hearing impairment during COVID-19

Jyothi   Shivaswamy; Divya   Mary Jose; Neelamegarajan   Devi; Chandni  Jain

doi:10.18502/avr.v30i4.7474

Jyothi Shivaswamy Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India
Divya Mary Jose Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India
Neelamegarajan Devi Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India
Chandni Jain Department of Audiology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysuru, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/avr.v30i4.7474

Abstract

Background and Aim: Rehabilitation services to individuals with hearing impairment were on hold with widespread COVID-19. So, rehabilitation services were mandated mainly through telepractice for children with hearing loss. Evaluating the effectiveness of tele-practise compared to face-to-face therapy is of utmost importance for evidence-based approaches. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the parent’s satisfaction with tele-listening training for children with hearing impairment during COVID-19.

Methods: Fifty-four parents of children with hearing loss participated in the study. The parents satisfaction on tele-listening training was evaluated through the Parent Satisfaction Questionnaire in terms of 1) the audio and video quality during teletherapy; 2) equipment use 3) general parent-therapist interaction and communication during teletherapy; 4) service delivery and convenience; and 5) overall satisfaction with the teletherapy.

Results: The results showed a higher parent satisfaction rating to avail rehabilitation services through tele-modality during the pandemic. Tele-listening training sessions had helped parents continue training their children at home with the therapist's guidance online. However, parents were not satisfied with their child's interaction with the therapist as they found it difficult to maintain attention throughout the online session.

Conclusion: Although most participants agreed that tele session could not replace face-to-face auditory-verbal therapy (AVT) programs, most of them were satisfied with the outreach AVT program. These favorable responses from parents highlight that the digital revolution and other technological advancements support the service providers in Audiology, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: Tele-listening training; questionnaire; satisfaction; rehabilitation