International survey of audiologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: effects on the workplace
Vinaya Manchaiah, Robert H. Eikelboom, Rebecca J. Bennett, De Wet Swanepoel
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study surveyed the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the audiology workplace. DESIGN: = 337) using an online survey (June-August 2020) focussing on changes to the workplace during the pandemic. RESULTS: Participants represented varied work settings and audiology services. Only a third (31.5%) provided psychosocial support, which may be important during the pandemic, as part of their services. Almost all (97%) audiologists reported changes to their workplace, with 76.4% reporting reduced caseloads during the COVID-19 pandemic. When rating their current and anticipated work conditions, 38.7% reported reduced working hours although only 13.8% anticipated reduced working hours in 6-months' time. Audiologists ranked services such as access to hearing assessment, hearing device adjustment and maintenance, and general audiological support as being more important during the pandemic than services such as psychosocial, emotional and tinnitus support. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant disruptions to audiological practice that highlights the need to adapt and incorporate new audiological practices including telehealth, to ensure patients have continued access to care and clinics remain sustainable during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recovery phase.