Capt Tressie Waldo organized this year’s short course which was held in Albuquerque, NM. Here’s the abstracts from the course presented by AF members.
Data Reporting via CHCS, ADS, CEIS, and Etc. Where is it All Going? Is it Serving the Intended Purpose?
LtCol David Wirth, USAF, BSC
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
Staffing requirements in the Military Health System (MHS) are driven by mission. A key pillar of the MHS is readiness. It is imperative that the role of audiology be linked to the readiness mission. Providing a first class hearing conservation program across all services certainly fits the bill. In the long run, the issue comes down to numbers. How do we collect the data? Where is it reported? Does it make a difference to the decision makers who are required to justify billet authorizations in the clinics and military treatment facilities of the MHS? CHCS, ADS and CHAMPUS data from the Region 5 MTFs will be presented. The purpose of this presentation is to review the data collection process, identify any gaps and consider opportunities for improvement.
A Working Relationship that Works: Military and Veterans Administration
Capt Linda Morris, USAF, BSC
Capt Joe Narrigan, USAF, BSC
Wright Patterson AFB, OH
Robin Smith-Karasopoulos, M.A.
Dayton VAMC, OH
The 1996 revisions to the Veterans’ Health Care Eligibility Reform Act greatly simplifies the eligibility criteria for prosthetic services. Now any one who is ten percent of more service connected for any condition or zero percent or more for hearing loss/tinnitus is eligible. Each Veteran’s Administration Center keeps a database on service connected disabilities. Access to this information can determine the best plan for care. By combining the Retiree Hearing Aid Purchase Program with the Veterans’ Administration services, we can provide options for our Veterans while ensuring care is being provided by the appropriate facility and not duplicated.
Audiology Referral Triage Using Telemedicine and Video-Otoscopy
Capt Cynthia Sabin, USAF, BSC
Fairchild AFB, WA
The three month absence of an Otolaryngologist (ENT) at the 92 Medical Group prompted the development and use of an Audiology Referral Triage system using the MedRx Video-Otoscope and Telestat Advanced Imaging Software. Prior to the ENT’s absence a liaison referral network was established within the Medical Group with Pediatrics, Primary Care and Dermatology. All referrals to downtown were discussed and approved by the Medical Group’s (SGH) Tri-Care Coordinator. Imaging procedures and image accuracy were found to be extremely effective in providing instant identification of: tympanic membrane perforations, otitis media, severe TM retractions, ossicular prosthesis dislocation, cerumen impaction, and skin cancer. Video-Otoscopy was also used to show follow-up and resolution of middle ear and TM pathologies. Images were used as a teaching tool for Primary Care and Pediatric physicians regarding TM and ear canal landmarks. Images were used to counsel parents on their children’s middle ear status and adults on cerumen management. Telemedicine coordination with Tripler AMC was employed as an equipment test and for audiology consultation regarding difficult images. The cost impact of the Video-Otoscopy in audiology triage referrals during the 2 months actively used at the 92 Medical Group will be discussed. The valuable resource of telemedicine consultation to Tripler will be addressed.
Insert Earphones: Potential Problems for Hearing Conservation Programs-A Literature Review
LtCol John Allen, USAF, BSC
Andrews AFB, MD
The use on insert-type transducers for audiometric testing is widely accepted within the United States. These earphone systems have achieved acceptance for audiometric equipment ranging from pure tone audiometry to auditory evoked potentials, and in populations ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics. Their popularity is due in part to the higher degree of inter-aural attenuation they afford. In addition, a transducer that is coupled directly to the canal itself overcomes the problem of collapsing ear canals. However, audiometers used in the USAF Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) continue to employ TDH 39/40, circumaural earphones. Discrepancies between the results obtained with each of these systems has been reported anecdotally to the extent that the use of insert earphones has been discontinued in the AF for any testing in support of the HCP. This report reviews the current literature regarding insert transducers, exploring their advantages and disadvantages, and discussing potential areas of variability which may be contributing to the reports above.
Use and Non-use of Custom Molded and Conventional Hearing Protectors Among Workers Who are Occupationally Exposed to Hazardous Noise
Maj Carolyn S. Bennett, USAF, BSC
Wright Patterson AFB, OH
Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common work related disorder in the United States. Despite a vigorous hearing conservation program, recent data shows an increase in threshold shifts among USAF workers. Recognizing the need for new strategies, this study validated the hypothesis: custom-molded ear plugs increase hearing protector use in Pre-Intervention measures 50% of the Experimental Group and 5% of the Control Group used protection. After fitting custom-molded ear plugs, 81% of the Experimental Group used protection. Additionally for the experimental Group only, the consistency of hearing protector use increased. This study clearly indicates that custom molded hearing protectors have great potential in the battle to prevent noise-induced hearing loss.