PURPOSE: EARS Inc. is a faith based not-for-profit organization established in 1998. As an organization, it has consistently maintained a goal to provide both short-term and long-term projects in low and middle income countries. One specific project undertaken by EARS Inc involved developing a hearing health program in the Dominican Republic. METHODS: This article is a review of the challenges and successes encountered on the road to establishing improved access and affordability of hearing aid technology for the hearing impaired in Domincan Republic. RESULTS: Despite the challenges, after 12 years of local programming, the hearing health services in the Dominican Republic were successfully implemented. The development of these services included the simultaneous development of a training program, earmould laboratory, hearing aid repair services as well as calibration services and sales of batteries and accessories. CONCLUSIONS: As demonstrated in this review, it is possible to develop sustainable and comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitation hearing services in a developing country. It is clear that training, equipping and empowering local staffs are instrumental to the success of the program. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: A good hearing aid fitting is more than supplying technology. Patient education and the clinician fitting the hearing aid are important. Access to follow-up services including battery supplies, hearing aid adjustments and hearing aid repairs is essential for a hearing aid fitting program in low and middle income countries to be sustainable. Check the WHO guidelines for hearing aid provision in developing countries when planning a program. When working in a country, co-ordinate with local professionals involved in hearing health where available.
PURPOSE: EARS Inc. is a faith based not-for-profit organization established in 1998. As an organization, it has consistently maintained a goal to provide both short-term and long-term projects in low and middle income countries. One specific project undertaken by EARS Inc involved developing a hearing health program in the Dominican Republic. METHODS: This article is a review of the challenges and successes encountered on the road to establishing improved access and affordability of hearing aid technology for the hearing impaired in Domincan Republic. RESULTS: Despite the challenges, after 12 years of local programming, the hearing health services in the Dominican Republic were successfully implemented. The development of these services included the simultaneous development of a training program, earmould laboratory, hearing aid repair services as well as calibration services and sales of batteries and accessories. CONCLUSIONS: As demonstrated in this review, it is possible to develop sustainable and comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitation hearing services in a developing country. It is clear that training, equipping and empowering local staffs are instrumental to the success of the program. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: A good hearing aid fitting is more than supplying technology. Patient education and the clinician fitting the hearing aid are important. Access to follow-up services including battery supplies, hearing aid adjustments and hearing aid repairs is essential for a hearing aid fitting program in low and middle income countries to be sustainable. Check the WHO guidelines for hearing aid provision in developing countries when planning a program. When working in a country, co-ordinate with local professionals involved in hearing health where available.
Authors: Mahmood F Bhutta; Xingkuan Bu; Patricia Castellanos de Muñoz; Suneela Garg; Kelvin Kong Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2019-08-20 Impact factor: 9.408