The initial evaluation of an Internet-based support system for audiologists and first-time hearing aid clients

• The implementation and evaluation of a novel Internet-based support system for audiologists and first-time hearing aid clients is reported.
• The study describes audiologist and client experiences and audiologic rehabilitation outcomes.
• Positive system experiences and satisfaction correlate with positive outcomes.
• Clients and audiologists recognized the system's potential to add support to the provision of audiologic services.

ObjectivesAudiologists provide professional contact and support between appointments to clients with hearing impairment using telephone and e-mail, but more advanced and flexible technological platforms are also possible. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical application of an Internet-based support system for audiologists and their first-time hearing aid clients.DesignAn Internet-based support system developed by Månsson et al. (2013) for psychologists and their clients was adapted for audiologic purposes. Three audiologic clinics in Sweden tested the support system with their clients.Study sampleTwenty-three clients managed by four audiologists used and evaluated the support system. In addition, five of the clients and all four audiologists were interviewed and their responses were analyzed using content analysis.ResultsThe clients and the audiologists reported positive experiences and overall satisfaction but audiologists reported that the support system did not address the needs of all clients. More positive experiences and greater satisfaction with the support system were associated with reductions on self-reported consequences of hearing loss and positive hearing aids outcomes.ConclusionsAn Internet-based support system can be used in audiologic rehabilitation. Both audiologists and clients recognized the system's potential value to offer an online support to the provision of audiologic services.