Audiologists Resuming Services During COVID-19
Many audiology services can’t quickly pivot to telepractice, which may result in audiologists experiencing a greater sense of urgency to return to or increase in-person services. ASHA is advocating for the expansion of codes that can be used for telepractice, as currently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have only approved cochlear implant codes. Audiologists should check their private payer contracts to determine what codes/procedures are covered for telepractice provision. Audiologists face challenges related to reimbursement needs from in-person service provision and modification of services to allow for their personal safety and the safety of those with whom they work.
Reopening Resources
Considerations Related to Audiology Service Provision
Note: This list is not intended to be exhaustive and will be updated as additional information and opinions become available.
- Use disposable items for each patient interaction. For example, speculum, inserts for audiometry, electrodes, immittance tips, and/or ear light tip.
- Consider requiring the use of masks for clients/patients, staff, and providers, or use plexiglass barriers. Also consider the use of clear, full-face plastic masks for providers.
- Change the foam covering or barrier over microphones that audiologists use or consider providing each audiologist with their own headset mic that only they use.
- Consider the use of video-otoscopy or other otoscopy technology that allows for adequate light and ability to view the ear, ear canal, and tympanic membrane while allowing physical distancing from the client/patient during otoscopic inspection.
- Require patients to wear masks for earmold impressions, placement of tiptrodes, or other procedures that may elicit a cough reflex from the client/patient, as well as Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) or head-shake tests with Frenzel goggles.
- Wear PPE for procedures that involve close physical contact with patients, or delay performing such procedures, when possible (e.g., otoscopy, videonystagmography [VNG], electronystagmography [ENG]).
- Follow best practices disinfecting audiology equipment. See Infection Prevention and Control for Audiology Equipment [PDF]
Resources for Audiology Infection Control and Service Provision
Academic Programs
- American Academy of Audiology – Post-Pandemic Changes in Clinical Supervision
- Case-Based Virtual Learning and Telepractice: Pivoting During a Pandemic
- Trouble-Shooting Auditory Training Delivered via Telepractice
Balance
- American Academy of Audiology – COVID-19 "Long-Haulers:" The Emergence of Auditory/Vestibular Problems After Medical Intervention
- Ear and Hearing – COVID-19 Return to Work Guidance and Recommendations for Vestibular Clinicians
Billing and Reimbursement
- CMS – Services Delivered via Telehealth Among Medicaid & CHIP Beneficiaries During COVID-19 [PDF]
- New CPT Code Now Available to Report COVID-19 PPE Costs
COVID General
- CDC – Coronavirus Disease 2019 How COVID-19 Spreads
- CDC – Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccines
- CMS – CMS Announces New Guidance for Safe Visitation in Nursing Homes During COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Renewal of Determination That A Public Health Emergency Exists
COVID and Hearing Loss
- BBC News – Coronavirus: Patient has sudden permanent hearing loss
- National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) – Best Practices Guidelines for Safely Conducting Hearing Testing During the COVID-19 Pandemic [PDF]
- Pediatric Hearing Loss Effects Are Anything But ‘Mild’ During COVID-19
Infection Control
- Audigy – Q&A Infection Control Considerations A.U. Bankaitis Smith
- CDC Guidelines and Guidance Library
- CDC Infection Control Guidance for Healthcare Professionals About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- CDC Miscellaneous Activating Agents
- Infection Prevention and Control for Audiology Equipment [PDF].
- Infection Prevention and Control in Audiology Practice Settings (On Demand Webinar)
- JAMA Network – SARS-CoV-2 Virus Isolated From the Mastoid and Middle Ear
Masks
- CDC – Understanding the Difference [PDF]
- CDC – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
- Communicating Effectively While Wearing Masks and Physical Distancing
- Using Masks for In-Person Service Delivery During COVID-19: What to Consider
Practice Considerations
- British Society of Audiology: Audiology & Otology Guidance during COVID-19 [PDF]
- CMS Recommendations Re-opening Facilities to Provide Non-emergent Con-COVID-19 Healthcare [PDF]
Telepractice
