Computational Audiology: New Approaches to Advance Hearing Health Care in the Digital Age

Abstract

The global digital transformation enables computational audiology for advanced clinical applications that can reduce the global burden of hearing loss. In this article, we describe emerging hearing-related artificial intelligence applications and argue for their potential to improve access, precision, and efficiency of hearing health care services. Also, we raise awareness of risks that must be addressed to enable a safe digital transformation in audiology. We envision a future where computational audiology is implemented via interoperable systems using shared data and where health care providers adopt expanded roles within a network of distributed expertise. This effort should take place in a health care system where privacy, responsibility of each stakeholder, and patients' safety and autonomy are all guarded by design.