Aetna considers automated audiometry that is either self-administered or administrated by nonaudiologists experimental and investigational because its effectiveness has not been adequately validated to be equivalent to audiometry performed by an audiologist.
Background
A limited number of studies have compared computer-assisted audiometry that is self-administered or administered by nonaudiologists to audiometry administered by an audiologist.
Mahomed, et al. (2013) conducted a meta-analysis of studies reporting within-subject comparisons of manual and automated threshold audiometry. The authors found overall average differences between manual and automated air conduction audiometry to be comparable with test-retest differences for manual and automatedaudiometry. The authors found, however, limited data on automated audiometry in children and difficult-to-test populations, automated bone conduction audiometry, and data on the performance of automated audiometry in different types and degrees of hearing loss.
The American Speeh-Language Hearing Association recommends that hearing screening be conducted under the supervision of an audiologist holding the ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC).
CPT Codes / HCPCS Codes / ICD-9 Codes
CPT codes not covered for indications listed in the CPB:
0208T
0209T
The above policy is based on the following references:
Mahomed F, Swanepoel DW, Eikelboom RH, Soer M. Validity of automated threshold audiometry: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Ear Hear. 2013 May 31. [Epub ahead of print].
Yu J, Ostevik A, Hodgetts B, Ho A. Automated hearing tests: Applying the otogram to patients who are difficult to test. J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2011;40(5):376-383.
Swanepoel de W, Mngemane S, Molemong S, et al. Hearing assessment-reliability, accuracy, and efficiency of automated audiometry. Telemed J E Health. 2010;16(5):557-563.
Margolis RH, Glasberg BR, Creeke S, Moore BC. AMTAS: Automated method for testing auditory sensitivity: Validation studies. Int J Audiol. 2010;49(3):185-194.
Ho AT, Hildreth AJ, Lindsey L. Computer-assisted audiometry versus manual audiometry. Otol Neurotol. 2009;30(7):876-883.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Hearing screening and testing. Information for the Public. Rockville, MD: ASHA; 2013.
Copyright Aetna Inc. All rights reserved. Clinical Policy Bulletins are developed by Aetna to assist in administering plan benefits and constitute neither offers of coverage nor medical advice. This Clinical Policy Bulletin contains only a partial, general description of plan or program benefits and does not constitute a contract. Aetna does not provide health care services and, therefore, cannot guarantee any results or outcomes. Participating providers are independent contractors in private practice and are neither employees nor agents of Aetna or its affiliates. Treating providers are solely responsible for medical advice and treatment of members. This Clinical Policy Bulletin may be updated and therefore is subject to change.
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