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10/25/2016  |   9:45 AM - 11:00 AM   |  BGPOP Building 4A/B/C

Training of Community-Based Hearing Health Workers and Their Roles in the Identification and Management of Patients with Ear and Hearing issues: The Starkey Hearing Foundation Approach

Hearing loss is the most prevalent sensory disability and a problem that is increasing globally. According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 360 million people, or 5.3% of the world population, are living with disabling hearing impairment. In many developing countries, there is lack of ENT Specialists and Audiologists. There are also limited resources. Many countries in the developing world are reaching out to community health workers as an effective alternative in the face of the scarcity of health workers. With support from Starkey hearing Foundation, a three-day training for community based hearing-health workers was conducted in 46 countries. A total of 25 trainings took place, and a total of 972 people have been trained. These community based hearing-health workers are responsible for providing basic hearing healthcare services in their communities. They are able to perform otoscopy and voice tests. They are able to identify and manage impacted cerumen, discharging ears, and to refer patients that need further evaluation. They are also able to take ear impressions and fit hearing aids. This project has greatly increased the human resource capacity for identification and management of ear and hearing disorders. Many avoidable causes of hearing loss can be managed by trained community based hearing-health workers.

• Empower participants on skills of Community-based program development
• Equip participants with knowledge of bridging hearing health access gap
• Train participants on Community-based approach to hearing healthcare

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Wakisa Mulwafu (Co-Presenter,Co-Author), University of Malawi, College of Medicine, wmulwafu2@gmail.com;
ENT Surgeon and the Chairman of the Malawi Hearing health Strategic Plan Committeee.

ASHA DISCLOSURE: Financial - Nonfinancial -

AAA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.

Luqman Lawal (POC,Primary Presenter,Author), Starkey Hearing Foundation/ University of Minnesota SPH, Luqman_Lawal@starkeyfoundation.org;
Luqman Lawal MD, MPH is a Public health Physician who serves as the Director of Global health and Research at the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

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

AAA DISCLOSURE: Financial - No relevant financial relationship exists.