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10/09/2015  |   11:15 AM - 12:30 PM   |  Andrew Foster Auditorium

Assessment of Status of Ear & Hearing Care in South East Asia Region

Background: Globally, about 360 million people suffer from disabling hearing loss which constitutes 5.3% of total population. Hearing loss is unequally distributed with greater prevalence in some regions compared to others. Aims: The assessment was undertaken with a view to gather background information regarding hearing loss and ear diseases, human resources, national policies and services pertaining to ear care at community, primary, secondary and tertiary levels of healthcare delivery in the region. The assessment helped to identify gaps for strengthening Ear & Hearing care services with focus on primary ear care. Methods: A questionnaire was developed, pretested and mailed to country representatives from Ministry of Health, WHO and members of Sound Hearing International across the region. Data was also gathered by desk review through e-search and referral to relevant reports.. Results: Prevalence of hearing loss in the region is more than equal to 6.14% highlighting disproportionately high burden of deafness. Ear diseases prevalent include impacted cerumen, chronic suppurative otitis media and serous otitis media with impacted cerumen being most common. There are imbalances in ear health workforce across different cadres viz. ENT specialists, audiologists, audiometricians, speech therapists, teachers for the deaf and sign language interpreters. In most countries, organized system of health care delivery exists. However, private sector provides secondary and tertiary ear care services in speciality and super speciality hospitals located primarily in major urban areas which serves the elite section of the population who can afford high treatment costs associated with ear surgery. There is shortage of institutes involved in generating paramedical ear care professionals. Conclusion: Each country region must have database on prevalence of hearing loss, its causes, available infrastructure and manpower. This data should be periodically updated and used by National Committees for developing effective strategies for prevention and control of deafness and strengthen primary ear care.

• The assessment was undertaken with a view to gather background information regarding hearing loss and ear diseases, human resources, national policies and services pertaining to ear care at community, primary, secondary and tertiary levels of healthcare delivery in the region.
• The assessment helped us to identify gaps for strengthening Ear & Hearing care services with focus on primary ear care.

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Dr Suneela Garg (POC,Primary Presenter), Maulana Azad Medical College, sh2030mamc@gmail.com;
Dr Suneela Garg is Director Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi and Member of Board of Directors, Society for Sound Hearing International.