Comparing the Clinical Effectiveness of Telerehabilitation with Traditional Speech and Language Rehabilitation in Children with Hearing Disabilities: A Systematic Review

Introduction:The use of telerehabilitation for the treatment of speech and language disorders in the field of hearing is increasing. A comprehensive study comparing telerehabilitation’s effectiveness with traditional rehabilitation can help us understand it better. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to compare the effectiveness of telerehabilitation with traditional rehabilitation for speech and language disorders in children with hearing disabilities in 2023.

Methods:A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, PubMed Central, Cochrane, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and the Web of Science from 2000 to February 28, 2023. The articles were selected based on keywords, determined criteria, and reviewed in terms of title, abstract, and full text. Finally, articles that were relevant to our aim were evaluated.

Results:The initial search resulted in the extraction of 1,788 articles. After reviewing the articles and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, nine articles were selected for analysis. Four (44.44%) and 3 (33.33%) studies were case–control and quasi-experimental studies, respectively. Four (44.44%) studies were conducted in the United States. SPSS, Preschool Language Scales, fifth edition (PLS-5), and microphone were the most common tools, each of which included 4 (44.44%), 3 (33.33%), and (333.33%) studies.

Conclusions:Traditional rehabilitation and telerehabilitation can effectively improve the speech and language skills of children with hearing disabilities. However, it is always suggested to use traditional rehabilitation first to achieve better results.