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10/26/2019  |   10:30 AM - 11:45 AM   |  Ventana Ballroom C

Increasing access to assistive technology by addressing market barriers: A market shaping approach for hearing aids

Background: Market barriers limit supply and demand of appropriate AT in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Market shaping breaks the cycle of low supply, limited competition, and high prices that perpetuates low demand. Market shaping has proven successful in increasing access to global health products including vaccines and medications, leading us to investigate whether these approaches could be applied to AT markets. ATscale, the Global Partnership for AT, aims to mobilise global stakeholders to shape markets in line with a unified strategy. Method: To develop a robust understanding of the market landscape and identify opportunities to increase access to quality hearing aids, a mixed-methods approach was used including a grey literature review, market data analysis, key informant interviews, country case studies, and site visits. Stakeholders will provide feedback on proposed market shaping strategy prior to finalization. Key results: The market for affordable quality hearing aids in LMICs is characterized by challenges of both demand and supply. On the demand side, lack of awareness and limited political will and a lack of service delivery structures have led to limited public sector procurement and provision of hearing aids. On the supply side, the current private sector market serves high income customers with a high cost bundled pricing model. The lower cost market is characterized by low volumes and uncertain quality. However, some procurers have demonstrated that high volume public sector procurers can drive down prices on quality products. These findings informed a proposed market shaping strategy to address demand- and supply-side barriers and increase access to affordable quality hearing aids. Conclusion: This work provides evidence to inform ATscale’s strategy and investments. Interventions may include additional evidence generation, development of tools and guidance to support decision-makers, innovative procurement or negotiation models, or piloting public sector models of service delivery.

• Understand existing market barriers to accessing affordable, quality hearing aids in low and middle income countries.
• Describe a market shaping approach to increase availability of quality low cost hearing aids.

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Emily Kobayashi (POC,Primary Presenter), Clinton Health Access Initiative, ekobayashi@clintonhealthaccess.org;
Emily Kobayashi is a global public health professional with over 10 years of experience delivering health programs, primarily in Africa.

ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists. Nonfinancial - No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.

AAA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Receives support from Global Disability Innovation Hub .