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Facilitators and Barriers to Audiologic Follow-Up in Malawi.
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.
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.