School Screening and Telemedicine Specialty Referral to Address Childhood Hearing Loss in Rural Kentucky

Description

This trial will evaluate a multilevel intervention (STAR model) that combines mobile health (mHealth) hearing screening tools with telemedicine technology for specialty care access in rural Kentucky schools. An initial version of the model was used in rural Alaska where telemedicine-based specialty referral improved both proportion of children receiving follow-up and time to follow-up. The refined STAR model will utilize an enhanced mHealth screening protocol that includes tympanometry for the detection of middle ear disease. The STAR model will also include a specialty telemedicine referral process in schools for children who refer school screening.

Conditions

Hearing Loss

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

This trial will evaluate a multilevel intervention (STAR model) that combines mobile health (mHealth) hearing screening tools with telemedicine technology for specialty care access in rural Kentucky schools. An initial version of the model was used in rural Alaska where telemedicine-based specialty referral improved both proportion of children receiving follow-up and time to follow-up. The refined STAR model will utilize an enhanced mHealth screening protocol that includes tympanometry for the detection of middle ear disease. The STAR model will also include a specialty telemedicine referral process in schools for children who refer school screening.

Appalachian Specialty Telemedicine Access for Referrals (STAR) Trial

School Screening and Telemedicine Specialty Referral to Address Childhood Hearing Loss in Rural Kentucky

Condition
Hearing Loss
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Lexington

University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, United States, 40536

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * Enrolled in school in one of the 14 participating counties
  • * Initial entry into elementary school
  • * Eligible regardless of age, gender, race, or ethnicity

Ages Eligible for Study

3 Years to 11 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

University of Arkansas,

Matt Bush, MD, PhD, MBA, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Kentucky

Susan Emmett, MD, MPH, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, University of Arkansas Medical Sciences

Study Record Dates

2026-05-30