Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Hearing impairment
Assessing Environmental, Nutritional, and Genetic Factors for Otitis Media-Related Hearing Loss in Rural Alaska Native Children
Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
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Highlights a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Norton Sound region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Alyssa Platt, Rolvix H Patterson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 404-416
Date: 03/2026
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Understanding Risk Factors for Otitis Media in Rural Alaska Native Children: A Cohort Study
Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Presents a study on the relationship between otitis media, a middle ear disease associated with childhood hearing loss, and environmental, genetic, and dietary risk factors among children aged 1-4 in Alaska Native communities in the rural Bering Strait region of Alaska. Explores the presence of genetic factors that increase the likelihood of respiratory infections in newborns, rates of breastfeeding, and environmental factors, such as smoke exposure and availability of running water, among others.
Author(s): Rolvix H Patterson, Susan D Emmett, Kelli L Scheinman, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing, 47(2), 417-428
Date: 03/2026
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Transforming Access to Hearing Care: Community Perspectives on School-Based Telehealth in Rural Appalachia
Examines community perspectives on school-based hearing screenings completed via telemedicine as an adaptation to provide auditory healthcare access to rural communities. Provides feedback from 21 semi-structured interviews from parents, school staff, and care providers in Appalachian counties regarding childhood hearing loss, screening and follow-up processes, integration of telemedicine, and more.
Author(s): Mary Katherine Oberman, Marissa Schuh Gebert, Olivia Henderson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing - The Official Journal of the American Auditory Society, 47(2), 378-388
Date: 09/2025
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Examines community perspectives on school-based hearing screenings completed via telemedicine as an adaptation to provide auditory healthcare access to rural communities. Provides feedback from 21 semi-structured interviews from parents, school staff, and care providers in Appalachian counties regarding childhood hearing loss, screening and follow-up processes, integration of telemedicine, and more.
Author(s): Mary Katherine Oberman, Marissa Schuh Gebert, Olivia Henderson, et al.
Citation: Ear & Hearing - The Official Journal of the American Auditory Society, 47(2), 378-388
Date: 09/2025
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Improving Access to Specialty Care for Rural Children Using Enhanced Hearing Screening and Specialty Telehealth Follow-Up in Rural Kentucky Schools: Protocol for a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Stepped Wedge, Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (Appalachian STAR Trial)
A study protocol for the Appalachian Specialty Telemedicine Access for Referrals (STAR) trial which aims to improve access to specialty hearing care for children living in rural Kentucky. Focuses on school hearing screenings of kindergartners and follow-up referrals to specialty care.
Author(s): Tarika Srinivasan, Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: JMIR Research Protocols, 14
Date: 08/2025
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A study protocol for the Appalachian Specialty Telemedicine Access for Referrals (STAR) trial which aims to improve access to specialty hearing care for children living in rural Kentucky. Focuses on school hearing screenings of kindergartners and follow-up referrals to specialty care.
Author(s): Tarika Srinivasan, Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: JMIR Research Protocols, 14
Date: 08/2025
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School-Based Enhanced Hearing Screening and Specialty Telehealth Follow-Up for Hearing Loss among Children in Rural Alaska: Study Protocol for a Hybrid Effectiveness-Implementation Stepped Wedge, Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial (North STAR Trial)
Describes a study protocol that examines the impact of providing specialty hearing care for students in rural Alaska following standard school hearing screenings. Focuses on trial objectives, design, setting, participants, recruitment, data collection, and planned statistical analyses.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Janet Prvu Bettger, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: Trials, 26, 175
Date: 05/2025
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Describes a study protocol that examines the impact of providing specialty hearing care for students in rural Alaska following standard school hearing screenings. Focuses on trial objectives, design, setting, participants, recruitment, data collection, and planned statistical analyses.
Author(s): Samantha Kleindienst Robler, Janet Prvu Bettger, Elizabeth Turner, et al.
Citation: Trials, 26, 175
Date: 05/2025
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Nonfatal Injury Emergency Department Visits and Inpatient Hospitalizations Among Persons Under Age 65 With an Intellectual and Developmental Disability or Deaf or Hard of Hearing Disability
Analyzes disparities in emergency department and inpatient hospitalization among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), people who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), and those without IDD or DHH. Utilizes Kentucky ED and inpatient discharge data from 2019 to 2023. Breaks down data by demographic category, including metropolitan or nonmetropolitan dwelling.
Author(s): Terry L. Bunn, Jacqueline Seals, Dana Quesinberry, Alaina Murphy, Julia F. Costich
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 27
Date: 05/2025
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Analyzes disparities in emergency department and inpatient hospitalization among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), people who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), and those without IDD or DHH. Utilizes Kentucky ED and inpatient discharge data from 2019 to 2023. Breaks down data by demographic category, including metropolitan or nonmetropolitan dwelling.
Author(s): Terry L. Bunn, Jacqueline Seals, Dana Quesinberry, Alaina Murphy, Julia F. Costich
Citation: Injury Epidemiology, 12, 27
Date: 05/2025
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Measuring Meaningful Outcomes for Adult Hearing Health Interventions: Consensus Study Report
Presents a set of core outcomes and measurements for the evaluation of interventions to address hearing difficulties in adults. See pages 42 and 47-48 for discussion of conditions influencing the prevalence of hearing difficulties in rural areas, rural access to care, and telehealth as a means of providing services in rural areas.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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Presents a set of core outcomes and measurements for the evaluation of interventions to address hearing difficulties in adults. See pages 42 and 47-48 for discussion of conditions influencing the prevalence of hearing difficulties in rural areas, rural access to care, and telehealth as a means of providing services in rural areas.
Additional links: Read Online
Author(s): Board on Health Care Services
Date: 2025
Sponsoring organization: Health and Medicine Division (HMD), National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
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National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps Meeting Agenda, November 19-20, 2024
Agenda and meeting materials for the November 19-20, 2024 meeting, including Bureau of Health Workforce and National Health Services Corps updates, and presentations on limited English proficiency populations, achieving deaf health equity, and re-framing language as an opportunity to improve health equity.
Additional links: Achieving Deaf Equity: Best Practices, Language Access at Yakima Farm Workers Clinic, Language Testing International Assessments and Proficiency Overview, Limited English Proficiency Populations, Re-Framing Language as an Opportunity to Improve Health Equity
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps
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Agenda and meeting materials for the November 19-20, 2024 meeting, including Bureau of Health Workforce and National Health Services Corps updates, and presentations on limited English proficiency populations, achieving deaf health equity, and re-framing language as an opportunity to improve health equity.
Additional links: Achieving Deaf Equity: Best Practices, Language Access at Yakima Farm Workers Clinic, Language Testing International Assessments and Proficiency Overview, Limited English Proficiency Populations, Re-Framing Language as an Opportunity to Improve Health Equity
Date: 11/2024
Sponsoring organization: National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps
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Hearing Aid Use Trends Among Older Adults by Income and Metropolitan vs Nonmetropolitan Residence
Evaluates 3 years of National Health & Aging Trends Study survey results to determine hearing aid use trends among older adults with a breakdown by 3 income levels and metropolitan or nonmetropolitan residence. Discusses changes between 2011 and 2022 and potential impacts of policies to expand access to hearing care.
Author(s): Sarah Y. Bessen, Wuyang Zhang, Emmanuel Garcia-Morales, Jennifer A. Deal, NIcholas S. Reed
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(9)
Date: 09/2024
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Evaluates 3 years of National Health & Aging Trends Study survey results to determine hearing aid use trends among older adults with a breakdown by 3 income levels and metropolitan or nonmetropolitan residence. Discusses changes between 2011 and 2022 and potential impacts of policies to expand access to hearing care.
Author(s): Sarah Y. Bessen, Wuyang Zhang, Emmanuel Garcia-Morales, Jennifer A. Deal, NIcholas S. Reed
Citation: JAMA Network Open, 7(9)
Date: 09/2024
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Hearing Difficulties Among Farmworkers in the México-US Southwest Border Region
Surveys 132 predominantly Latino, Spanish-speaking farmworkers on hearing loss, working conditions, and hearing safety in the U.S.-Mexico border region of Yuma County, Arizona. Identifies factors associated with subjective hearing loss.
Author(s): Laura Coco, Gabriela D. Sanchez, Gabriel A. Campuzano, Annie J. Keeney, James K. Romine
Citation: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 26, 1-10
Date: 04/2024
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Surveys 132 predominantly Latino, Spanish-speaking farmworkers on hearing loss, working conditions, and hearing safety in the U.S.-Mexico border region of Yuma County, Arizona. Identifies factors associated with subjective hearing loss.
Author(s): Laura Coco, Gabriela D. Sanchez, Gabriel A. Campuzano, Annie J. Keeney, James K. Romine
Citation: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 26, 1-10
Date: 04/2024
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