What is it about?
The study aimed to explore the facilitators and barriers that affect follow-up appointments among adult hearing aid users at African Bible College Hearing Clinic and Training Centre (ABC HCTC) in Malawi, Africa. We predicted that a new clinic protocol, additional effort, and barriers had an impact on the follow-up rate. The study revealed that the follow-up rate at ABC HCTC significantly increased from an average of 11.5% from 2019-2021, to 62.3% in 2022 and 2023 with the interventions undertaken in the study. Hearing aid follow-up rates were significantly impacted by the new clinic protocol designed to improve hearing aid follow-up attendance among users.
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Why is it important?
Our study identified that both targeted interventions and education can improve follow-up rates. Successful hearing aid usage and follow-up appointments are dependent on the protocols set in place by each respective practice, therefore, it is essential that when scheduling appointments barriers must be considered when determining hearing aid candidacy.
Perspectives
The findings of this paper are not a one size fits all, as it depends on factors such as; location, culture, and finances. It is up to other practices to find the appropriate means for their patients to receive adequate audiological assistance. I hope this paper has challenged you to do so.
Alinafe Makoka
African Bible Colleges
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Facilitators and Barriers to Audiologic Follow-Up in Malawi, Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups, March 2025, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA),
DOI: 10.1044/2024_persp-24-00190.
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