A Web services-based distributed system with browser-client architecture to promote tele-audiology assessment.

The purpose of this research was to extend applications of the Internet and other telecommunication means to the assessment of hearing. The newly developed distributed system consists primarily of an application server and its database, and Web services under browser-server architecture to support remote hearing assessment. A pilot study was conducted: three independent audiologists assessed hearing of 25 subjects using testing approaches with different data communication configurations. Analysis of the results demonstrated the feasibility of replacing conventional "face-to-face" tests with the remote hearing tests using the distributed system. Because of its distributed architecture, the present system supports a new service model and separates technical maintenance and clinical services. Consequently, the system shows great potential to benefit the clinical hearing care profession. Future research is planned to apply this system to medical facilities and for distance applications.