RESUMEN
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.
Asunto(s)
Países en Desarrollo , Audífonos , Pérdida Auditiva/rehabilitación , Organizaciones sin Fines de Lucro , República Dominicana , Promoción de la Salud , Accesibilidad a los Servicios de Salud , Audífonos/economía , Audífonos/provisión & distribución , Humanos , Modelos Organizacionales , Objetivos Organizacionales , Desarrollo de Programa , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de SaludRESUMEN
PURPOSE: This paper presents the case study of the project EARS Ind developed in the Dominican Republic (DR) with the purpose of increasing access and affordability of hearing aid technology for the hearing impaired. This case study demonstrates how a program can fit hearing aids to patients with hearing impairments can be developed in low and middle income countries. METHODS: The project planning documents and project statistics and reports were reviewed. A questionnaire and follow-up interviews were used to gain a clear understanding of the situation in the EARS Inc. DR hearing aid project. RESULTS: The case study is presented of the development and services in the DR with a particular focus on the choices made in regard to hearing aid services including manufacturer choices, procurement, distribution, pricing and service delivery. The development of these services included the simultaneous development of a training program, ear mould laboratory, hearing aid repair services, also sales of batteries and accessories as well as the development of calibration services. CONCLUSIONS: The development of comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitation services requires equipping and training local staff. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: A good hearing aid fitting is more than 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 to any hearing aid fitting program in low and middle income countries. Check the WHO guidelines for hearing aid provision in developing countries when planning a program. When working in a country co-ordinate with local professional involved in hearing health where available.