Awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology services among healthcare professionals in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND:  Healthcare professionals are required to work effectively together to deliver the best healthcare services. Without awareness of other healthcare professionals' roles and responsibilities, interprofessional practice (IPP) cannot be optimally achieved. OBJECTIVES:  This study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals' awareness of audiology and speech-language pathology (SLP) services in Saudi Arabia. METHOD:  This cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of two parts. The content of a 20-item paper questionnaire was firstly validated. The full-scale study addressed the aim through distributing questionnaire items among potential participants. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used. RESULTS:  A total of 403 participants completed the questionnaires for the main study. Most of the participants were Saudi citizens (84.1%), aged 18 years - 40 years (84.8%) years, and lived in Riyadh region (76.2%). Allied health professionals (40.2%), physicians (22.6%), nursing (15.4%) and dentistry (11.2%) were the main group of participants working mainly at governmental hospitals (69.2%). Of the total participants, 92.6% and 95.3% reported being fully aware of the services provided by audiologists and SLPs, respectively. No statistically significant association between the specialty of participants and their familiarity with the scope of practice for SLPs and audiologists was determined. CONCLUSION:  Our study examined healthcare professionals' awareness of audiology and SLP services and revealed a high level of awareness.Contribution: The existed level of awareness is expected to facilitate IPP and enhance the quality of care. Still, awareness campaigns about audiology and SLP services are needed to address the existing lack of knowledge among some healthcare professionals.

Understanding Auditory Processing Disorder: A Narrative Review.

Auditory processing disorder (APD) is defined as difficulty in listening despite possessing hearing thresholds within the normal limit. Understanding rapid speech, following complex instructions, and listening in the existence of background noise are some of the difficulties in APD. APD has been observed in diverse clinical populations with suspected or diagnosed disorders, such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, aphasia, and Alzheimer's disease; however, it should be differentiated from these disorders. Despite the research on APD, its awareness is limited, resulting in it often being undiagnosed. Therefore, improving the awareness and understanding of APD is important. The current paper aims to review the literature on APD with a focus on school-age children. The prevalence, etiology, screening, and diagnosis of APD are discussed along with correlated disorders, interpretation of tests, and management strategies.

Perception of the Accreditation of the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment at Different Health Colleges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Following the guidelines for maintaining quality set forth by the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA) accreditation procedure, Saudi higher education institutions, including health sciences colleges, must adhere to these guidelines. This study aims to assess the perception of personnel involved in NCAAA accreditation processes about the purpose, process, motivation, and level of involvement in the NCAAA accreditation at King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS). Methods The study was conducted at KSAU-HS, Jeddah. The participants included 15 administrators and 32 faculties from the College of Medicine, College of Applied Medical Sciences, and College of Nursing with experience in the NCAAA process. A questionnaire was used to determine how motivated and involved people feel about the accreditation process. Data were examined statistically with SPSS (Version 23; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA), and descriptive statistics were used. Results Forty-seven participants (23 men, 24 women, ages 36 to 55) took part in the study, of which 68% were faculty members and 32% were administrators with a variety of skill sets from the three colleges. Most participants displayed a positive attitude toward the NCAAA accreditation's motive and level of commitment. Conclusions Most of the participants in the current study contended with the NCAAA process and deemed it substantial long-term improvements.

The Use of Simulation in Audiology Education: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the level and quality of evidence supporting the use of simulation in audiology education regarding enhanced knowledge, skills, self-confidence, and satisfaction. METHOD: A systematic review of qualitative and quantitative peer-reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2023 was conducted. The PICO mnemonic (where P = population, I = intervention, C = comparison, and O = outcomes) was used to frame the clinical question and generate search terms. Search strategies were executed in seven databases. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used to track the peer-reviewed literature identification and selection process. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists and Levels of Evidence were used to characterize the research studies. RESULTS: A total of 668 records were identified. Nineteen peer-reviewed publications met the inclusion criteria. Diverse study designs, interventions, assessment techniques, and simulation types were identified. Characteristics of included studies (e.g., author, year, study purpose) were reported by evidence tables. Primary and secondary outcomes were identified and described. Results indicate statistical and/or clinically significant improvements in knowledge, skills, and/or self-confidence following simulation training. Each study was critically appraised, and the level, quality, and strength were assigned. CONCLUSIONS: The use of simulation as an educational method among audiology students has been shown to dramatically increase knowledge, skills, and self-confidence. However, the use of simulation in audiology education is still behind compared to other health professions. As a result, there are a limited number of simulation-based studies in audiology. Most health academic institutions have well-designed simulation centers; therefore, audiology programs are urged to collaborate with colleagues in other professions and benefit from the services offered by these facilities.

The Intersection of Health Rehabilitation Services with Quality of Life in Saudi Arabia: Current Status and Future Needs.

Quality of life (QoL) is essential for maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle, especially among individuals with chronic diseases. Saudi Arabia (SA) launched a health sector transformation program as part of the nationwide Vision 2030 initiative to ensure the sustainable development of efficient healthcare services, aiming to improve health by increasing well-being and QoL. More investigation into the current status of health rehabilitation services provided to individuals with chronic diseases and future needs to optimize services and improve QoL is needed. This was narratively discussed by experts from different health rehabilitation services in SA. Comprehensive health rehabilitation services including orthopedic, occupational, cardiac, pulmonary, critical care, perioperative, hearing and speech, substance use disorders, and vocational rehabilitation services were addressed. Health rehabilitation services in SA, as in other countries, are suboptimal for individuals in health rehabilitation programs. To optimize the QoL of individuals with chronic diseases, health rehabilitation services should be tailored based on the unique requirements of each service and its serving patients. The shared need to improve health rehabilitation services includes the adoption of home-based and telehealth services, the integration of multi-governmental sectors, the empowerment and allocation of health rehabilitation specialists, public awareness campaigns, policy legislation and guideline development, and the implementation of a long-term follow-up system. This review is one of the first to address the intersection of health rehabilitation services and QoL in SA; urgent and holistic actions are paramount to address the pressing need to optimize SA's health rehabilitation services. The experts' recommendations in this study may be applicable to other countries' health systems, as health rehabilitation services are not well optimized globally.

Substance Use and Misuse among Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the United States, 2015-2019: Prevalence, Association, and Moderation.

BACKGROUND: Despite the advancements in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatment, complications related to COPD exacerbation remain challenging. One associated factor is substance use/misuse among adults with COPD. Fewer studies, however, examined the prevalence and association between COPD and substance use and misuse. In addition, limited knowledge existed about the moderation effects of serious psychological distress and gender among adults with COPD and substance use/misuse. We aimed, therefore, to measure such prevalence, association, and moderation from nationally representative samples in the United States. METHOD: Data were drawn from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Weighted logistic regressions were used to measure the associations of last-month tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipe, and smokeless tobacco products), other licit and illicit substance use (alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, crack, heroin, hallucinogens, and inhalants), and substance misuse (pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives) among adults with COPD. Serious psychological distress and gender were tested as moderators in the association between COPD and substance use/misuse. RESULTS: The findings revealed that adults with COPD [Weighted N = 53,115,718) revealed greater odds of cigarettes [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.48 (95%CI = 1.80-3.42)) and smokeless tobacco (aOR = 3.65 (95%CI = 1.75-7.65)). However, they were less likely to use alcohol (aOR = 0.61 (95%CI = 0.45-0.84)). Adults with COPD who had serious psychological distress were more likely to use pipe tobacco and alcohol; however, they were less likely to use hallucinogens and inhalants. Finally, males compared to females with COPD were less likely to use smokeless tobacco. CONCLUSION: Adults with COPD in the United States were more likely to use tobacco products and less likely to use alcohol. In addition, serious psychological distress and gender were moderators in associations between COPD and substance use but not in substance misuse. Future studies should longitudinally assess the factors that may contribute to the initiation and progression of substance use and misuse among adults with COPD.

Referral and Lost to System Rates of Two Newborn Hearing Screening Programs in Saudi Arabia.

Congenital hearing loss has been commonly reported as a significant health problem. Lost to system (LTS) is a major challenge facing newborn hearing screening (NHS) programs. This retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to determine the referral and LTS rates after the two-stage NHS based on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) in two main hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (SA). NHS was performed on newborns before hospital discharge. Newborns were only rescreened if NHS initially revealed a fail/refer outcome in one or both ears. Those who failed the first and second screenings or had risk factors were referred for auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing to confirm or exclude hearing loss. In total, 20,171 newborns (40,342 ears; 52% males; 48% females) were screened, of whom 19,498 (96.66%) passed the initial screening, while 673 (3.34%) failed. Of the 673 newborns, 235 (34.92%) were LTS, and 438 (65.08%) were rescreened, of whom 269 (61.42%) failed and were referred for a comprehensive audiological assessment to confirm the existence of hearing loss. The referral rate after the initial two-stage screening was equal to 1.33%. The lack of awareness of the importance of NHS among parents seems to be the major cause behind the LTS rate. The stakeholders have to work efficiently to reduce the LTS rate.

Frequency Responses of Conventional and Amplified Stethoscopes for Measuring Heart Sounds.

BACKGROUND: Frequencies of normal and abnormal heart sounds have previously been reported, but the acoustic analyses of the frequency responses of conventional and amplified stethoscopes for different heart sounds have not yet been reported. OBJECTIVES: To compare the acoustic analysis of frequency responses of three stethoscopes (conventional and amplified) for measuring simulated heart sounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This exploratory study used Starkey SLI-ST3, Cardionics E-Scope II (both electronic) and Littmann Classic S.E. II (conventional) stethoscopes, as they share the same basic design with twin ear tubes coupled to ear tips and chest piece options (bell vs. diaphragm modes). Acoustic analyses using the diaphragm were performed in a soundproof booth and frequency response curves at 85 (the largest), 250, 400, 550 and 1050 Hz were compared for three different digitized heart sound simulations: normal, aortic valvular stenosis (AVS) and pulmonic valvular stenosis. RESULTS: Amplified stethoscopes provided the most amplification of normal and abnormal heart sounds across all five frequencies compared with the conventional stethoscope. The Starkey SLI-ST3 stethoscope was better at amplifying normal heartbeats than the Cardionics E-Scope II and Littman Classic S.E. II; however, it came last for amplifying normal heartbeats of ~85 Hz. Cardionics E-Scope II had advantages in amplifying abnormal heartbeats (i.e., aortic valvular stenosis and pulmonic valvular stenosis) over the other two stethoscopes. CONCLUSION: This study showed that amplified stethoscopes provided better amplification of normal and abnormal heart sounds across the five measured frequencies. Therefore, health professionals should interpret manufacturer claims regarding gain (dB) and frequency (Hz) with caution, and those with hearing loss should carefully investigate the "audio performance" of the stethoscopes. Future research should focus on these effects through coupling with hearing aids.

Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Simulation Training on the 1-3-6 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Timeline.

Purpose This study aimed to find out more about the effect of the use of the 1-3-6 early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) timeline and interprofessional simulation training on audiology and speech-language pathology graduate students' confidence level of knowledge and skills. Method A 1-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study design was used to assess self-ratings of confidence in knowledge and skills. The mean age for 50 graduate students participating in this study was 25.32 years ( SD = ±3.77, range: 22-37 years). Participants completed a pre- and postevent questionnaire in which they rated their level of confidence for specific knowledge and skills. Three case scenarios represented by standardized parents were developed, and 8 students volunteered to participate in implementing the 1-3-6 EHDI timeline, whereas others participated as observers. All participants participated in the briefing and debriefing sessions immediately before and after each scenario. Participants were asked to rate their readiness for interprofessional education/practice and their satisfaction of the educational experience after the last case scenario. Results Overall, the pre- and postsimulation event questionnaire revealed a significant improvement in the participants' self-rated confidence levels in knowledge and skills. The mean difference between pre- and postevent scores was 0.78 ( p < .01). The mean interprofessional learning was 2.13 (range: 1.16-2.57, SD = ±0.24) based on a Likert scale, where 1 = strongly agree and 5 = strongly disagree. The mean satisfaction level was 4.37 (range: 3.94-4.72, SD = ±0.24) based on a Likert scale, where 1 = not satisfied and 5 = very satisfied. Conclusions The results demonstrated the value of using interprofessional simulation training among audiology and speech-language pathology students to improve their confidence in knowledge and skills. The curriculum developed in this study for the 1-3-6 EHDI timeline provides resources for educators in both professions and other related professions.

Audiology and speech-language pathology practice in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: Audiology and speech-language pathology (SLP) are relatively new professions in Saudi Arabia. The idea of establishing new audiology and SLP programs in some education facilities has become popular across Saudi Arabia; yet, only four undergraduate and graduate programs are currently available. This study aimed to explore the fields of audiology and SLP in Saudi Arabia, obtain demography of audiologists and Speech-language pathologists (SLPs), understand their current practices, and identify their perspective on what both professions need to improve. METHODS: A cross-sectional mixed methods study design was used to address the aim of this study. Two online surveys were prepared and distributed to reach a large number of audiologists and SLPs. Both surveys consisted of close- and open-ended questions and primarily focused on three categories demography, audiology or SLP practices, and audiologists' or SLPs' perspective on their professions in Saudi Arabia. RESULTS: A total of 23 audiologists and 37 SLPs completed the surveys (age range = 21-50 years). The majority of respondents were from Riyadh with different academic qualifications and working experiences. Various practices were noticed among audiologists and SLPs who mainly worked in hospitals. Several suggestions regarding the development of audiology and SLP education and practice in Saudi Arabia are discussed. CONCLUSION: This study provides useful information about audiology and SLP education and practices in Saudi Arabia. Collaborative work between stakeholders to achieve high-quality educational and practical standards is critical. National database, clinical guidelines and policies should be developed, employed, and supervised. Further research is needed to improve education and practice of both professions in Saudi Arabia.

Use of Baby Isao Simulator and Standardized Parents in Hearing Screening and Parent Counseling Education.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this study was to test the effect of the combined use of trained standardized parents and a baby simulator on students' hearing screening and parental counseling knowledge and skills. METHOD: A one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study design was used to assess self-ratings of confidence in knowledge and skills and satisfaction of the educational experience with standardized parents and a baby simulator. The mean age of the 14 audiology students participating in this study was 24.79 years (SD = 1.58). Participants completed a pre- and postevent questionnaire in which they rated their level of confidence for specific knowledge and skills. Six students (2 students in each scenario) volunteered to participate in the infant hearing screening and counseling scenarios, whereas others participated as observers. All participants participated in the briefing and debriefing sessions immediately before and after each of 3 scenarios. After the last scenario, participants were asked to complete a satisfaction survey of their learning experience using simulation and standardized parents. RESULTS: Overall, the pre- and post-simulation event questionnaire revealed a significant improvement in the participants' self-rated confidence levels regarding knowledge and skills. The mean difference between pre- and postevent scores was 0.52 (p < .01). The mean satisfaction level was 4.71 (range = 3.91-5.00; SD = 0.30) based on a Likert scale, where 1 = not satisfied and 5 = very satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this novel educational activity demonstrate the value of using infant hearing screening and parental counseling simulation sessions to enhance student learning. In addition, this study demonstrates the use of simulation and standardized parents as an important pedagogical tool for audiology students. Students experienced a high level of satisfaction with the learning experience.