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10/27/2018  |   9:10 AM - 10:10 AM   |  Kramer Lecture Theater 3

Portable Audiometric Technology Facilitates Hearing Healthcare

CGHH members are familiar with the World Health Organization’s findings that the majority of individuals, including an estimated 34 million children, with disabling hearing loss live in low- and middle-income countries. Though we recognize that early detection of hearing loss is vital to reduce the negative impact of a hearing impairment on a child’s ability to communicate, achieve educational standards, and join the workforce, lack of audiometric expertise and equipment throughout much of the world has excluded many from basic screenings. In recent years, innovations in mobile audiometric equipment has allowed for mass screenings and diagnostic testing in regions where there was no previous access to hearing healthcare. This new generation of audiometric equipment is portable, paperless, and battery powered. Testing can be provided by individuals with minimal training and despite language barriers. In 2016, World Wide Hearing began an ongoing Child Hearing Screening Initiative in Peru to screen for hearing loss in school-age children using portable audiometric technology, locally trained Peruvian technicians, and international volunteers. With the goal of testing over 30,000 students in two years and providing follow up hearing aid fittings when needed, mobile screening audiometric technology has been an essential element of the project. With the project on target to meet their impressive ambitious goal, we will explore how mobile technology has allowed for hearing testing in a variety of environments, age-groups and tester expertise to overcome previously disabling challenges.

• Learners will be able to list 3 reasons why hearing screening in remote areas is challenging
• Learners will understand how one project utilized technology to achieve hearing screenings
• Learners will be able to apply understanding of screening technologies to other projects.

Presentation:
18607_9902EdieGibson.pdf

Handouts:
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Edie Gibson (POC,Primary Presenter), Hear The World , ediegibson@advancedbionics.com;
Edie Gibson received her MS in Audiology from Gallaudet University and Doctorate of Audiology from the University of Florida. Prior to joining Advanced Bionics in 2005, she worked as a pediatric audiologist in a non-profit clinic. Dr. Gibson has engaged as an employee volunteer through Sonova’s Hear the World Foundation since 2014, numerous times serving as a skilled volunteer with the Hear Haiti project, organizing corporate fundraising, and serving as an employee member of the Hear The World Foundation Board.