Improving access to hearing care for children in rural Alaska through telemedicine
Official title: North STAR Trial: Specialty Telemedicine Access for Referrals in Rural Alaska
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11178011 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to make it easier for rural Alaska Native children to get the hearing care they need by using telehealth services right in their schools, so they can get help quickly without having to travel far.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $77,045 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DC020026-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11178011 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are rural Alaska Native children aged 0-11 who have undergone school hearing screenings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not reside in rural Alaska or who are outside the age range of 0-11 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance access to specialty hearing care for rural Alaska Native children by implementing a telehealth model directly in schools. It addresses the challenges of geographic barriers and the scarcity of specialists by providing virtual specialty care for children who have undergone school hearing screenings. The project evaluates the effectiveness of this model in reducing loss to follow-up and improving overall access to necessary healthcare services. By leveraging existing telehealth networks, the initiative seeks to ensure that underserved children receive timely diagnoses and treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve hearing health outcomes for rural Alaska Native children by ensuring they receive timely and appropriate care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with telehealth interventions in similar contexts, indicating potential for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Emmett, Susan Davis — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Emmett, Susan Davis
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.