Virtual Reality in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Narrative Review with Applications in Audiology and Clinical Practice Sağlık Hizmetlerinde Sanal Gerçeklik: Odyoloji ve Klinik Uygulamalar Açısından Kapsamlı Bir Geleneksel Derleme

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BATUK İ. T., Karakuluk İ., BATUK M.

Journal of Ear Nose Throat and Head Neck Surgery, vol.34, no.2, pp.142-153, 2026 (Scopus, TRDizin)

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) technologies are increasingly bridging the gap between controlled clinical settings and the complex realities of daily life. VR offers several key advantages. A significant advantage of VR is its versatility. VR has various applications across diverse sectors, including entertainment, communication, research, education, the military, engineering, and healthcare. Key areas of VR application in healthcare encompass a wide spectrum of disciplines. This review explores the transformative role of VR in healthcare, detailing its transition from a gaming technology to a vital clinical tool. We ex-amine the fundamental hardware components and diverse applications of VR, with a particular emphasis on the fields of audiology and vestibular rehabilitation. Traditional audiological assessments often lack ecological validity; however, VR overcomes this limitation by replicating real-world acoustic and visual environments for tasks such as speech perception, sound localization, and tinnitus management. In vestibular rehabilitation, VR facilitates customizable, home-based therapeutic protocols for balance disorders and fall prevention. Beyond patient care, the review also addresses the utility of VR in medical education, highlighting its role in cultivating clinical proficiency in a risk-free environment. As evidence supports its cost-effectiveness and clinical efficacy, VR is poised to become a standard component of the modern healthcare continuum.