The Consideration of Tele-Audiology Service Delivery in Korea

Abstract

The importance of tele-audiology service delivery and accessibility has highlighted with the COVID-19 pandemic. Tele-audiology is an alternative method delivering various hearing intervention services including counselling, evaluation, fitting, and rehabilitation through telecommunication. The essential goal of tele-audiology service delivery is to obtain the best hearing rehabilitation outcomes equivalent to face-to-face service. Even though it has several advantages in aspects of service accessibility and effectiveness, convenience, and cost, still there are many challenges faced by audiologists, clients and administrators in order to implement tele-services in Korea. The present brief communication seeks to raise awareness in preparing and delivering the tele-audiology services with several considerations and challenges. We also focus on professional liability and training, service environment and information technology, and establishment of social system underling the tele-audiology service delivery in Korea.