Ida telecare version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility and effectiveness of Ida Telecare tools for NHS Audiology patients
IRAS ID
232078
Contact name
Helen Henshaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust Research & Innovation
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Research Summary:
There are 11 million people in the UK with long-term hearing loss. The standard treatment is to provide hearing aids to amplify quiet sounds. However, only 1 in 3 people who could benefit from hearing aids own them. For those who do get hearing aids, up to 40% of people do not use them.
The Ida Institute has developed a range of easy-to-use online tools designed to help people with hearing loss prepare for audiology appointments, make important decisions related to their hearing healthcare, and successfully manage everyday communication. Thinking about these things ahead of time can help patients feel better prepared when deciding with the clinician how best to manage their hearing loss. Patients who make choices that are right for them (such as obtaining a hearing aid, or not), are more likely to live well with their hearing loss.
In this study we will assess how adults attending an NHS audiology clinic use the Ida telecare tools and when (feasibility) and how effective the 'Why Improve My Hearing?' tool is at improving their outcomes (effectiveness).
Feasibility
We will look at how often the tools are used by patients. We will also identify what the ‘active ingredients’ of the tools are to change health behaviour, and anything that helps or hinders patients’ use of the tools.Effectiveness
We are interested to see if patients who complete the 'Why Improve My Hearing?' Tool before they visit the audiology clinic have better outcomes compared to people who do not. We will also have in-depth discussions with patients and audiologists about what they think of the Tool.Results of this study will provide important information about how the tools might be incorporated into NHS adult audiology services, early evidence for their effectiveness, and important information about how best to identify benefits to patients in future research.
Summary of Results:
This research evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of Ida Telecare tools for adults attending NHS audiology services.
The feasibility study found that patients engaged with the tools, particularly before their initial appointment, and that the tools supported reflection on hearing difficulties and needs, helping patients prepare for consultations. The tools incorporated recognised behaviour change techniques, although usability issues were identified, particularly related to IT skills and unclear instructions.
The effectiveness study showed that the “Why Improve My Hearing?” tool significantly improved patients’ readiness and confidence to manage their hearing loss, although it did not lead to clear improvements in longer-term outcomes such as hearing aid use or quality of life. Qualitative findings indicated that both patients and audiologists perceived the tool as beneficial, improving communication, efficiency, and shared decision-making during appointments.
Overall, Ida Telecare tools appear to be a feasible and promising approach to enhancing patient-centred care in audiology, though further refinement and research are needed to optimise usability and demonstrate long-term impact.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0461
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion