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).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Childhood hearing loss has well-known profound implications for language development, school achievement, and future employment opportunities. School-based health programs can provide hearing screening, but access to specialists for follow-up care is limited in rural areas. This is especially problematic for children in rural Alaska who experience a disproportionately high burden of preventable childhood hearing loss. The purpose of this study will be to develop and test the effectiveness and implementation of school-based specialty telehealth follow-up to improve timely access to specialty care after school hearing screening in rural Alaska.

Methods

This will be a hybrid type 1 effectiveness-implementation stepped wedge, cluster-randomized trial in three represen

SUBMITTER: Robler SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12107839 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature