Background
Older people living in regional aged care facilities can face delays in accessing hearing services. Distance, workforce availability and the logistics of external appointments can restrict service delivery. This project tested a practical model in which aged care staff were trained to assess residents’ hearing on site using Sound Scouts, an evidence-based digital screening solution. Residents whose results indicated hearing loss and who wished to receive further support could then be referred to Hearing Australia for services such as hearing assessment, the fitting of hearing aids or assistive listening device, or device checks. The project also explored how hearing screening could become part of routine care, helping staff better recognise residents’ hearing needs and support effective communication.
The project established a multi-partner implementation model involving Sound Scouts, Whiddon, Hearing Australia, with evaluation input from Macquarie University. Sound Scouts provided the screening solution including the Sound Scouts app and Integrated Management Platform (SSIMPL), training and implementation support; Whiddon Residential Aged Care facilities coordinated participating residents, consent, wax checks and testing; Hearing Australia provided follow-up assessment and hearing care where appropriate. Whiddon’s focus on relationship-based care with a foundation of individualised care and personal connection made them the ideal partner.
Implementation occurred across five regional and remote Whiddon sites in NSW: Wee Waa, Largs, Moree, Bourke and Narrabri.90 residents were screened across the 5 sites.
Staff were trained by the Sound Scouts Project Manager in a 90-minute interactive webinar. The session covered how to use the Automatic Audiometer (including iPad and headphones), create resident records, supervise testing, ask post-screening questions, and document observations about ease, compliance, cognition/recall and facilitator experience.
Screening results and resident responses were used to identify residents interested in either hearing care follow-up or who may benefit from a Hearing Australia assessment. The workflow was refined across sites to address consent, Power of Attorney documentation, Hearing Services Program requirements, wax management, appointment preparation and information transfer.
To ensure the success of the project an evaluation framework was established with input and analysis support provided by Macquarie University (MQU). Data was collected across all participating regional sites to evaluate clinical need, technology usability, workforce capabilities, and service referral outcomes. The evaluation gathered both quantitative metrics (such as hearing thresholds and rating scales) and qualitative feedback (such as staff observations and operational learnings).
Overall, the project demonstrated that the Sound Scouts Hearing Screening technology could be used successfully in residential aged care settings, in regional & remote areas, to support earlier and ongoing management of hearing issues. Implementation of the Project importantly also increased overall awareness of hearing health for both residents and staff.
The project demonstrated that with appropriate training residential aged care staff were able to use the software-based solution to complete hearing screening activities on-site in regional & remote Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACF). Interactive webinar-based training plus support materials, including step-by-step guides, facilitated implementation. Phone support was also available in the event of technical or operational issues.
The project facilitated hearing testing of 90 residents. Residents screened were aged 68 –100 years (average 85.4 years). Following the screening, Residential Aged Care staff completed a short observation form to provide immediate feedback on each individual resident’s experience. Staff observation data supported the feasibility of testing with the Sound Scouts app. Of the 90 residents tested, 37 triggered the referral process, of which 20 answered ‘Yes’ to seeing someone about their hearing. A further 11 expressed interest in seeing Hearing Australia or having their hearing reassessed, despite their responses not triggering referral through the Project workflow. In total 39 had follow up appointments with Hearing Australia (including 8 residents referred by the facility where the answer to the question about seeing someone about their hearing was not recorded).
Hearing Australia appointment outcomes included hearing aid fittings or pathways to fittings, wax or debris management, hearing aid servicing/repairs, personal listening device trials, assessment and monitoring recommendations, and clarification where residents declined or were not motivated to proceed to a hearing aid fitting. Based on resident feedback, 71% reported that the Sound Scouts test successfully raised their awareness about their hearing.
The project demonstrates that hearing screening can be shifted from an ad hoc, external resource dependent activity to a routine, technology-enabled aged care workflow. By combining workforce enablement with the screening technology earlier identification of hearing loss, more informed care planning and targeted use of specialist hearing services can be achieved.
For residents, the model reduces travel and appointment barriers by bringing screening into the facility; it also helps residents’ families understand the hearing needs, and options available to their family members.
For staff, it builds confidence to recognise hearing difficulties , adapt communication strategies, and record meaningful hearing information in care plans.
For providers, the model offers a pathway that can improve hearing-health access in regional aged care while using scarce audiology time more efficiently, allowing specialist visits to be better prepared, supported and focused on the residents who want and are eligible for follow-up.
Hearing Australia Feedback: “Sound Scouts removed the need for us to send a staff member for the initial screening of residents.”
Sound Scouts and Whiddon will use the project learnings to refine an ongoing implementation model, with screening ideally incorporated into admission processes and repeated in line with care-plan review cycles or identified need.
Future plans include refining resident/family education, standardising Hearing Australia documentation workflows, exploring digital solutions for intake paperwork, building staff confidence through hands-on training and refresher materials, and considering extension into home care and Support at Home settings where appropriate.
The project team will continue to work with Macquarie University to develop reporting materials suitable for sector-facing publication or presentations at conferences and webinars.
Contact Person
- Carolyn Mee, CEO, Sound Scouts.
- contact@soundscouts.com.au or 1300 424 122.