Current Audiovestibular Practices Among Audiologists in the Asia Pacific Region with Established Audiology Professions: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

This preliminary study benchmarks audiovestibular practices among audiologists in Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries with established professional training programs, forming the first phase of a broader initiative covering 17 nations. A structured questionnaire was adapted and updated to include contemporary clinical domains such as vestibular rehabilitation, cochlear implant services, and tele-audiology. The tool underwent expert review and pilot testing, demonstrating strong psychometric properties (Cronbach's α, α = 0.91; KMO = 0.743; Bartlett's p < 0.001). Responses were obtained from 40 audiologists across India, Malaysia, Singapore, Nepal, and New Zealand. Most participants provided services across screening, diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative domains. Core procedures such as immittance testing, otoacoustic emissions, and auditory brainstem response were widely implemented, while vestibular and rehabilitative services showed increasing integration. Respondents represented diverse professional contexts, including universities, private hospitals, and government healthcare systems. Notably, there was strong professional consensus in support of regional standardization of guidelines, training, and governance mechanisms. These findings validate the adapted tool, establish a foundational dataset, and highlight readiness for regional collaboration. As the broader 17-country study advances, this work provides a baseline for benchmarking, policy development, and capacity building toward harmonized audiovestibular care across the APAC region.