Rebecca Claridge

Published Mar 26, 2020

Telepractice: Introducing MED-EL Remote Lesson Kits

We understand that many professionals are facing new challenges, including a sudden and dramatic increase in the demand for remote aural rehabilitation services via telepractice. We are here to support you with digital resources and hands-on guides to getting started in providing remote rehabilitation.

Today, we will explore the topic of telepractice and share a free, practical digital resource kit that can help you start using telepractice to continue to provide quality service to families with children using hearing technology.

This kit is designed for audiologists, rehabilitation therapists, speech-language pathologists, and any other person who works with children with hearing loss. You can find the free download link to the pdf resource kit and an interactive slide deck at the end of this article.

Where to Begin: Telepractice

Telepractice includes many types of services. In this article, we use the word telepractice to describe services provided through online video conferencing where the therapist and family are in different locations. Telepractice is also known as tele-rehabilitation, remote rehab, remote therapy, distance therapy, tele-health or tele-intervention.

Providing telepractice intervention to families with children who use hearing technology has been documented since 2005. Over the past ten years there has been a steady increase in research demonstrating the feasibility and efficacy of telepractice for this population. In addition, researchers have detailed the challenges and barriers reported by therapists delivering telepractice.

We have summarised these findings for you below. For more detailed information, see the references at the end of the post. Now let’s look at some frequently asked questions about telepractice.

Why do telepractice?

Allows for continuation of services to families in times of community (or global) crisis
Provides equitable access to service
Meets increasing demand for specialist services
Overcomes geographical barriers
Offers flexible appointments
Minimises travel costs
Increases family engagement

Does telepractice work?

Research conducted by programs delivering listening and spoken language focused intervention both in person and via telepractice demonstrate listening outcomes are the same after six months, and language outcomes are no different after two years.

One study demonstrated accelerated spoken language development in the telepractice group after six months.

What is needed to do telepractice?

With modern household technology, telepractice is becoming more and more readily accessible. To get started, both the therapist and family need:

Computer or laptop (a tablet or mobile phone can be used if necessary)
Web camera + microphone (build-in or separate)
High-speed internet connection
Access to the shared video-conferencing platform (examples include Skype, Zoom, Teams, Facetime, Adobe Connect, WeChat, Messenger)

For improved audio performance, the therapist can use a headset/earphones with an attached microphone.

What are the challenges of delivering telepractice as reported by professionals?

Internet reliability (although this has steadily improved in recent years)
Developing specialist skills in delivering telepractice
Accessing or developing appropriate therapy resources
Sharing information effectively
Managing child behaviour

What is associated with the effective delivery of telepractice as reported by professionals?

Use of parent coaching strategies
Completing telepractice training
Managing the therapy setting, location or environment

What do parents/caregivers think of telepractice?

Initial reservations about effectiveness are common
Concern that their child will not co-operate
Following a trial, the majority report high level of satisfaction with telepractice

MED-EL Remote Lesson Kits

The MED-EL Remote Lesson Kits are specifically designed to address the challenges identified by professionals.

We understand that this may be very new to you, so the Remote Lesson Kits use fundamental therapy techniques combined with simple-to-use digital resources.

Each kit contains:

Guided walk-through to help you get started with telepractice
A description of essential strategies used to develop listening and spoken language
Tips on parent coaching and child attention management
A multi-level lesson plan with 4 activities
Detailed instructions on how to deliver each activity
Resources that can be emailed and printed by the family
A slide deck digital resource in PowerPoint format that can be screen-shared or emailed
Links to other MED-EL online resources that can help with sharing information

There will be 4 Remote Lesson Kits in total. Each kit introduces therapists and families to new strategies and techniques in a range of activities.

These lesson kits are available in multiple languages.

3 Additional Remote Lesson Kits are also now available: Remote Lesson Kit #2, Remote Lesson Kit #3, and Remote Lesson Kit #4.

We want these kits to help as many people as possible. If you know anyone that could benefit from these Lesson Kits, please feel free to share them.

And if you want more material and activities to work with, you can apply these telepractice techniques to all 26 of our free comprehensive Themed Lesson Kits. These guided kits can also help support parents with at-home rehabilitation activities.

Need this kit in a different language? Let us know in the comments below!

*We’d like these kits to help as many people as possible, so the Remote Lesson Kits may be shared openly for fair usage. However, MED-EL retains full rights to the material, so the content may not be altered, rebranded, or repurposed for commercial use.

**Not all products, features, or indications for age shown are available in all areas. Please contact your local MED-EL representative for more information.

References

^[1]
Behl, D., Blaiser, K., Cook, G., Barrett, T., Callow-Heusser, C., Moog Brooks, B., Dawson, P., Quigley, S. & White, K. R. (2017) A multisite study evaluating the benefits of early intervention via telepractice. J. Infants & Young Children, 30 (2), 147- 161
^[2]
Behl, D. & Kahn, G. (2015) Provider Perspectives on Telepractice for serving families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. International Journal of Telerehabilitation. 7 (1) 1-12
^[3]
Behl, D., Houston, K.T., & Stredler-Brown, A. (2012). The value of a learning community to support telepractice for infants and toddlers with hearing loss. Volta Review, 112(3), 313-327.
^[4]
Blaiser, K., Behl, D.D., Callow-Heusser, C. & White, K. (2013) Measuring Costs and Outcomes of Tele-Intervention When Serving Families of Children Who are Deaf/Heard of Hearing. International Journal of Telerehabilitation. 5(2) 3-10
^[5]
Brown, A. S (2015) Examination of Early Intervention Delivered Via Telepractice with Families of Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Dissertation. University of Northern Colorado. Scholarship & Creative Works@Digital UNC
^[6]
Constantinescu, G., Waite, M., Dornan, D., Rushbrooke, E., Brown, J., McGovern, J., Ryan, M., Hill, A. (2014). A pilot study of telepractice delivery for teaching listening and spoken language to children with hearing loss. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 20(3), 135-140
^[7]
Dunst, C. J., Boyd, K., Trivette, C. M., & Hamby, D. W. (2002). Family-oriented program models and professional helpgiving practices. Family Relations, 51, 221–229.
^[8]
Dunst, C. J., Trivette, C., & Hamby, D. (2007). Meta-Analysis of Family-Centred Helpgiving PracticesResearch. Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, 13, 370–378.
^[9]
Houston, T., Behl, D. & Mottershead, S. (2018) Chapter 17 Using Telepractice to Improve Outcomes for Children Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing & Their Families. A Resource Guide for Early Hearing Detection & Intervention. National Centre for Hearing Assessment and Management. Utah State University.
^[10]
McCarthy, M., Leigh, G., & Arthur-Kelly, M. (2019). Telepractice delivery of family-centred early intervention for children who are deaf or hard of hearing: a scoping review.Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 25(4), 249-260
^[11]
Olsen, S., Fiechtl, B., & Rule, S. (2012). An evaluation of virtual home visits in early intervention: Feasibility of “virtual intervention.” The Volta Review, 112(3), 267-281.
^[12]
Stredler-Brown, A. (Ed.) (2012). Preface. Current knowledge and best practices for telepractice, Volta Review, 112(3), 191-193.

Rebecca Claridge

Rebecca Claridge is a certified practising Speech Pathologist with more than 30 years’ experience. She certified as a Listening and Spoken Language Specialist in 2008; has worked at the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre, Brisbane’s Hear and Say Centre and her own private practice. In 2016 she was contracted by MED-EL to create the popular free downloadable resources ‘MED-EL Lesson Kits’ and in 2017 joined MED-EL’s global Rehabilitation Department. In 2021 she moved into a newly created position with MED-EL addressing the rehabilitation needs of Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

Telepractice: Introducing MED-EL Remote Lesson Kits