COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Resources
Ototoxicity of FDA-Approved Drugs Being Re-Purposed for COVID-19 Treatment
According to the National Institutes of Health’s Center National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, many drugs approved for other uses already have been tested in humans, so detailed information is available on their pharmacology, formulation, and potential toxicity.
Vestibular Testing Safety: COVID-19 and Beyond
Vestibular testing poses a unique set of safety challenges.
COVID-19 Return to Work Guidance and Recommendations for Vestibular Clinicians
As states begin issuing progressive deconfinement guidelines, hospitals and institutions are starting to reopen for elective procedures and consultations. Vestibular clinicians are opening their practices to evaluate, test or treat patients with dizziness and balance problems.
Surgical Monitoring Safety: COVID-19 and Beyond
Specific to the neurotological surgical environment, the audiologist should consider a number of precautions.
Booth Safety: COVID-19 and Beyond
With these safety precautions in place, workplace surfaces need to be cleaned thoroughly between patient encounters. Specific to audiologists, we must consider safety related to the test booth environment.
Our Essential Role in Communication: Resources That Can Help
With May as Better Hearing Month, this is an important time to continue to highlight our essential role in communication and hearing health care.
With this in mind, we have developed information pieces and resources you can use with your patients and/or share with your communities, colleagues, and other health-care providers as you see fit.
COVID-19 Week in Review
See a recap of this week's news and resources. A new Academy update will be posted each Friday.
Practice Management Resources
- May 21, 2020: Executive Order Directs Federal Agencies to Recommend COVID-19 Regulatory Waivers
- May 21, 2020: Warren and Rice Lead Letter to House and Senate Urging Inclusion of Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Act in Upcoming COVID-19 Packages
- April 30, 2020: CMS Expands List of Medicare Eligible Telehealth Providers to Include Audiologists
- April 10, 2020: The CARES Act Provider Relief Fund Begins Disbursements
- April 6, 2020: Resource Details State-by-State Guidance About Businesses
- April 3, 2020: COVID-19 Telehealth Update and Guide
- April 1, 2020: Treasury Department Releases Application Form and Fact Sheet for Forgivable Small Businesses Loans
- March 28, 2020: Trump Administration Provides Financial Relief for Medicare Providers
- March 27, 2020: President Signs “The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (CARES) that Includes Small Business Assistance
- Information from the Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Information from the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB)
- Guidance from OSHA
- Academy: Infection Control in Audiological Practices
Telehealth Resources
Telehealth and Medicare/Medicaid
- April 30, 2020: CMS Expands List of Medicare Eligible Telehealth Providers to Include Audiologists
- April 3, 2020: COVID-19 Telehealth Update and Guide
- April 2, 2020: Academy Urges CMS to Lift the Medicare Physician Order Requirement and Allow Audiologists to Provide Services via Telehealth
- March 24, 2020: HHS Secretary Azar Calls on Governors to Allow Health Professionals to Practice Across State Lines
- March 24, 2020: Academy Requests CMS Exercise Its Regulatory Authority to Allow Coverage of Audiology Services Via Telehealth
- March 23, 2020: CMS Approves Medicaid Section 1135 Waivers for 11 Additional States in Response to COVID-19
- March 21, 2020: Telehealth and Medicare/Medicaid
Below is a resource list with information on the provision of telehealth services. The Academy will post additional information as it comes available.
- New Resource Compiles Results of Recent Patient and Provider Telehealth Surveys
- Tele-audiology in a Pandemic and Beyond: Flexibility and Suitability in Audiology Practice (Audiology Today, Jul/Aug 2020 Pre-Press)
- Professional Liability and Tele-audiology Services (Hearing Review, April 23, 2020)
- CCHP Creates "COVID-19 Related State Actions" Resource
- CHHP: State Telehealth Resource Including Medicaid Reimbursement, Private Payer Laws, and Occupation-Specific Regulations
- Covered Telehealth Services Under Medicare
- CMS FAQs on Provision of Telehealth Services
- Office of Civil Rights FAQs on HIPAA Enforcement Discretion
Toolkits and Resource Centers
- CMS Provides Comprehensive COVID-19 Toolkit for Providers and Patients
- Interactive Map Provides Information on COVID-19 Related State Legislation
- Academy Tele-audiology Toolkit
- ASHA: Telepractice During COVID-19
- CAPCSD COVID-19 Response Recommended Education Resources
- National and Regional Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs)
Treatment and Management Considerations
- Vestibular Testing Safety: COVID-19 and Beyond
- Surgical Monitoring Safety: COVID-19 and Beyond
- Booth Safety: COVID-19 and Beyond
- COVID-19—Planning for In-Person Care
- COVID-19: Moving Toward Full Audiology Services
- Best Practices Guidelines for Safely Conducting Hearing Testing During the COVID-19 Pandemic (NHCA)
- Audiological Management of COVID-19 Survivors Treated with Hydroxychloroquine and Azithromycin
- COVID-19: Considerations for Treatments Using Quinine Derivatives and Other Ototoxic Compounds
Government Resources
- State and Local COVID-19 Response Information—Continuously Updated
- CDC: What Is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- CDC: Infection Control for Healthcare Professionals
- CDC: Workplace, Schools, and Home Guidance (PDF)
Public Awareness and Educational Resources
- CDC: What Is Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
- Support the CDC's public health messaging campaign by sharing these infographics on your website or social media channels.
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Coronavirus Myth v. Fact
- Johns Hopkins Medicine: Coronavirus at a Glance Infographic
- Hopkins Medicine: Coronavirus, Social and Physical Distancing and Self-Quarantine
Communication Access Resources
- CDC: ASL Video Series—COVID-19
- HLAA: How Do I Communicate with Doctors, Nurses, and Staff at the Hospital During COVID-19?
- HLAA: Communications & Medical Access in the Hospital During Disasters: Temporary Recommendations for Hospitals and Medical Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Guide For Deaf/Hard of Hearing To Communicate With Hospital Staff During Coronavirus Crisis
Free CEU-Eligible Online Education
The Academy is committed to ensuring audiologists have access to virtual educational resources during this challenging time.
On-demand telehealth seminars are now available on eAudiology.org, and live webinars are scheduled throughout July. New webinars will be added each month. Please check the schedule of upcoming webinars to see the full list of offerings. Note: Content is free up to 30 days after live event and for live events only through July 31.
Brought to you by the AAA Foundation’s Educational Fund. Thank you to those who donated their AAA 2020 + HearTECH Expo Conference refunds toward this educational fund.
Mental Health
- CDC: COVID-19: Managing Stress & Anxiety
- AFSP: Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty