A randomised controlled clinical trial to assess the benefits of a telecare tool delivered prior to the initial hearing assessment

Objective. To assess the benefits of the Ida Institute’s Why improve my hearing? Telecare Tool used before the initial hearing assessment appointment.

Design. A prospective, single-blind randomised clinical trial with two arms: (i) Why improve my hearing? Telecare Tool intervention, and (ii) standard care control.

Study sample. Adults with hearing loss were recruited from two Audiology Services within the United Kingdom’s publicly-funded National Health Service. Of 461 individuals assessed for eligibility, 57 were eligible to participate.

Results. Measure of Audiologic Rehabilitation Self-efficacy for Hearing Aids (primary outcome) scores did not differ between groups from baseline to post-assessment (Mean change [Δ]= -2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]= -6.70, 2.15, p= .307) and 10-weeks follow-up (Mean Δ= - 2.69; 95% CI= -9.52, 4.15, p= .434). However, Short Form Patient Activation Measure scores significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group from baseline to post-assessment (Mean Δ= -6.06, 95% CI= -11.31, -0.82, p= .024, ES= .61) and 10-weeks follow-up (Mean Δ= -9.87, 95% CI= -15.34, -4.40, p= .001, ES= -.97).

Conclusions. This study demonstrates that while a patient-centred telecare intervention completed before management decisions may not improve an individual’s self-efficacy to manage their hearing loss, it can lead to improvements in readiness.