Community-based models of adult hearing rehabilitation are increasingly used to expand access to hearing care; however, outcome measurement practices in these models have not been systematically mapped. This scoping review aimed to characterize the range, nature, and timing of outcome measures reported in community-based adult hearing rehabilitation studies.
No immediate practice change is warranted, but audiologists designing community-based programs should note the lack of standardised outcome measures and consider adopting validated tools to allow cross-program comparisons.
Standardising outcome measurement in community-based hearing rehabilitation is essential for building the evidence base needed to scale equitable access to hearing care globally.
- 01Scoping review mapped outcome measurement practices across community-based adult hearing rehabilitation models.
- 02Wide variability in outcome tools was identified, limiting comparability across programs.
- 03Published in Disability & Rehabilitation, signalling cross-disciplinary relevance beyond audiology clinics.
- 04Findings highlight a gap in standardised metrics for non-clinic hearing care settings.
- 05Results have implications for policy-makers and researchers working on hearing care access.
Outcome measurement practices in community-based hearing rehabilitation lack standardisation.
studysupported- PMID
- 42411939
- DOI
- 10.1080/09638288.2026.2696162.
- Journal
- Disability and Rehabilitation
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 1a
- Population
- Adults participating in community-based hearing rehabilitation programs
- Intervention
- Community-based adult hearing rehabilitation models
Primary outcomes
Types and variability of outcome measures used in community-based hearing rehabilitation; Scope of outcome measurement practices across different program models