Feasibility of virtual telehealth cochlear-implant testing

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated remote-testing needs for cochlear-implant (CI) recipients. Progress toward the development and validation of a telehealth system for CI patient care is described. The proposed system contains the most critical elements for a CI programming visit: (1) direct connection via clinical software to evaluate and manipulate electrical-stimulation parameters; and (2) sound-field audiometry and speech-perception testing. The former represents a low technological hurdle as the audiologist remotely controls a laptop preloaded with clinical software that has been mailed to the patient. The latter utilizes a calibrated headphone-based replacement for sound-field testing based on our research experience with simulated free-field listening delivered to the sound processor. This proof-of-concept protocol will include five initial patients in a simulated telehealth environment (audiologist and patient in separate rooms) and 10 patients participating from home. We highlight technological and logistical hurdles overcome, patient and clinician satisfaction, and a comparison of headphone-based to standard-of-care sound-field testing. Implications for remote auditory research with impaired populations are discussed. [Work supported by Defense Health Agency Innovations Group. The views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy of the Department of Army/Navy/Air Force, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.]