Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Date Created

5-5-2023

Abstract

In an effort to make hearing healthcare more widely available throughout the world, a variety of healthcare professionals have selflessly worked to create audiologic infrastructures throughout developing and developed regions. These infrastructural changes address the need for hearing screenings, comprehensive hearing evaluations, hearing aids and cochlear implants, consistent follow-ups, and local education on the causes, prevention, and treatments of hearing loss. The literature review sought to evaluate the means in which audiologic services are provided in a range of regions. Through the analysis of case studies and articles written by those who had first-hand experience, interviews with professionals at the forefront of humanitarian audiology, and personal experiences, trends in the most important aspects of the creation of humanitarian audiology were determined. At the forefront was the necessity that humanitarian initiatives have the goal of becoming self-sustaining. This was achieved through intercultural partnerships, support from the local community, training programs for community members, volunteer audiologists, secured funding, streamlined and multi-functional diagnostic equipment, accessible amplification, supply chain creation, clear and detailed planning, and the education of the local region on hearing loss. Through these building blocks, a strong and sustainable foundation could be built on which true infrastructural change could be achieved for the over 466 million people throughout the world experiencing a disabling hearing loss (Davis & Hoffman, 2019).

Keywords

audiology; humanitarian; humanitarianism; audiologist; hearing aid; amplification; developing country; self-sustainable; cochlear implant; healthcare

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