AudiologyOnline Phone: 800-753-2160


GSI 75th Anniversary - March 2024

What are the Differences Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Models in Teleaudiology Options?

Laura Prigge, AuD

April 6, 2020

Share:

Question

I am interested in teleaudiology options. What are the differences between Synchronous and Asynchronous models?

Answer

Teleaudiology is gaining significant momentum in today’s ever-changing world. There are a couple of driving factors: 

  1. Aging population
  2. Not enough audiologists
  3. Geographic challenges
  4. Patient load

There are two main ways to perform teleaudiology. Synchronous, or live face-to-face, is the most common form of teleaudiology. This is typically what people think of when they imagine telemedicine. It requires a video connection between the audiologist and the patient. A technician or an audiology assistant is required at the patient site to be the audiologist's “hands”. It's truly just like a live appointment in the sense that the audiologist is present and running the appointment. The equipment used for synchronous teleaudiology must be PC based and paired with a two-way video stream. The audiologist controls the equipment from their office while the patient and the technician are in a different location. Audiometry, hearing aid fittings, and counseling can be formed this way. If your technician is trained appropriately, you may also utilize video otoscopy and REM.

The second way to perform teleaudiology is asynchronous, or Store-and-Forward. The audiologist does not need to be present for the appointment because the patient "runs" the program to obtain basic air/bone/speech information. The setup is with a GSI audiometer and a computer with GSI AMTAS teleaudiology software loaded on it. AMTAS was developed by Dr. Bob Margolis from University of Minnesota and has been validated and researched extensively. A technician or medical assistant puts the headphones and bone oscillator (forehead placement) on the patient and then begins the software program. AMTAS uses a modified Hughson-Westlake method to obtain thresholds and then a closed set speech test that is based on the thresholds. At the end of the evaluation, a report is generated with up to nine quality indicators that give the audiologist who is interpreting the results a clear idea of what the patient was "doing" during the test. AMTAS tells you how many false positives there were (there are catch trials). It does a test-retest at 1kHz in both ears, reports any masking dilemmas, and does a quality check when it establishes each threshold by bumping the intensity up by 5 dB and looking for a response.

The patient performs the automated test and the results are "stored and forwarded" to the audiologist for interpretation. The benefits of this model is it increases access. You don't have to wait for a schedule to clear for basic diagnostic audiometry. The audiologist will get the results of the initial testing and make decisions based on the data. GSI has seen this implemented in several ways. ENT clinics and VA Medical Centers use AMTAS for walk-in appointments and annual evaluations. AMTAS is being implemented to gather basic data so that audiologists can perform more tasks that require their attention like tymps/reflexes, OAEs, counseling, and more. Dr. Margolis developed this program when he realized that his audiologists and students were spending up to 40% of their time on basic pure tone testing and this wasn't the best use of their knowledge or time.   

FURTHER INFORMATION

GSI AMTAS Overview Video 

GSI AMTAS Website

Audiology Online course - Teleaudiology: Improving Access to Hearing Healthcare


laura prigge

Laura Prigge, AuD

Clinical Application Specialist

Laura Prigge, AuD is an Application Specialist with GSI.  Laura received her Doctorate of Audiology degree from AT Still University, a Master's of Arts in Audiology from UCONN and a Bachelor's of Science degree in Communication Disorders from Western Illinois University.   Laura’s 20+ years of experience includes providing manufacturing support for a leading hearing aid manufacturer as well as technical audiology training and support for an international audiologic equipment company.   Prior to that, she managed education and training at another hearing aid manufacturer and conducted audiologic evaluations on children, adults, and geriatric patients at a retail hearing center. 


Related Courses

Teleaudiology: Improving Access to Hearing Healthcare
Presented by Laura Prigge, AuD
Recorded Webinar
Grason-Stadler (GSI)

Presenter

Laura Prigge, AuD
Course: #34314Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'I am doing some remote programming now, but not testing or fitting'   Read Reviews
Advancements in audiology diagnostic and therapeutic technologies combined with readily available communication technologies have provided an opportunity to revolutionize hearing health services in low-resource communities across the globe. This presentation will define modalities of teleaudiology and demonstrate how each method can be applied to bridge the gap to quality hearing health services.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

GSI TympStar Pro v1.2: Implementing New Features for Efficient Testing
Presented by Laura Prigge, AuD
Recorded Webinar
Grason-Stadler (GSI)

Presenter

Laura Prigge, AuD
Course: #32812Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Very clear explanations, examples and evidence to support the equipment capabilities'   Read Reviews
The GSI TympStar Pro sets the clinical standard in middle ear testing. Learn how to implement new tests and utilize enhancements to maximize diagnostic testing.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

AudioStar Pro Updates for 2024
Presented by Laura Prigge, AuD, Tony Lombardo, MS
Recorded Webinar
Grason-Stadler (GSI)

Presenters

Laura Prigge, AuDTony Lombardo, MS
Course: #39281Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Great update to new features'   Read Reviews
GSI is excited to discuss innovative updates to the AudioStar Pro clinical audiometer. This presentation will review new features, introduce a new speech in noise test, the ACT, and highlight the GSI Video Otoscope.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

GSI Product Updates for 2021
Presented by Laura Prigge, AuD, Tony Lombardo, MS
Recorded Webinar
Grason-Stadler (GSI)

Presenters

Laura Prigge, AuDTony Lombardo, MS
Course: #36221Level: Introductory0.5 Hours
  'Our office needs new equipment badly'   Read Reviews
GSI has a number of product updates to our product line. This presentation will review the new features and protocols available in 2021.

This course is part of the 2021 Industry Innovations Summit on AudiologyOnline.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Automated Audiometry for the Modern Clinic
Presented by Laura Prigge, AuD, Tony Lombardo, MS
Recorded Webinar
Grason-Stadler (GSI)

Presenters

Laura Prigge, AuDTony Lombardo, MS
Course: #36226Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'I never new about all of the fail safes put into the software to ensure good results'   Read Reviews
Using automated audiometry to obtain basic diagnostic air, bone, and speech audiometry has been validated as an effective way to manage audiologists’ time and patient schedules. In order to utilize this method effectively, this presentation will ensure that audiologists have confidence in the validity of these results.

This course is part of the 2021 Industry Innovations Summit on AudiologyOnline.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.