Chadha Shelly, Moussy Francis, Friede Martin Howell
Prevention of Blindness and Deafness and.
Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2014 Sep;9(5):365-7. doi: 10.3109/17483107.2014.908962. Epub 2014 Apr 15.
Philanthropy continues to play an important role in provision of hearing devices and is often the only alternative for the majority of those in need of these devices. While this leads to improved access to services it may also create unsustainable service delivery models. Over the past decade, World Health Organization (WHO) has been making consistent efforts towards promoting accessibility and affordability of high-quality hearing devices, especially in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC). WHO developed and updated the "Guidelines for Hearing Aids and Services in Developing Countries", in 2004. In 2006, WHO supported the establishment of "World Wide (WW) Hearing", to promote hearing aid access across the globe. In the past year, WHO has renewed these efforts. As the first step and following a consultation on promoting access to hearing devices, WHO has developed a preferred product profile in order to facilitate the development and access of appropriate and affordable hearing aids for developing countries. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (article 32), calls for international collaboration to promote access to assistive technology including hearing devices. A coordinated global effort is required to promote availability and affordability of high-quality hearing devices. Such an undertaking requires the cooperation of all stakeholders: WHO, Member States, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), philanthropists, manufacturers and users, to fulfill the international obligation and bring about a change in the quality of life of millions of people with hearing loss.
Development of preferred product profile for hearing aids in LMICs can improve development and provision of high-quality, affordable hearing devices. Investment made by the recipients, such as partial financial contribution towards the cost of device or through purchase of ear mould or batteries, leads to a greater sense of responsibility towards the device and its maintenance. Low level of awareness about hearing loss and the potential benefits of hearing aids contribute to the underutilization of hearing aids.
慈善事业在听力设备的提供方面继续发挥着重要作用，并且往往是大多数有需求者的唯一选择。虽然这有助于改善服务的可及性，但也可能导致不可持续的服务提供模式。在过去十年中，世界卫生组织（WHO）一直在持续努力，以促进高质量听力设备的可及性和可负担性，特别是在低收入和中等收入国家（LMIC）。WHO在2004年制定并更新了《发展中国家助听器与服务指南》。2006年，WHO支持成立了“全球听力（WW Hearing）”，以促进全球范围内的助听器可及性。在过去一年里，WHO再次做出了这些努力。作为第一步，并在就促进听力设备可及性进行磋商之后，WHO制定了一份优选产品简介，以促进为发展中国家开发和提供合适且可负担的助听器。《残疾人权利公约》（第32条）呼吁开展国际合作，以促进包括听力设备在内的辅助技术的可及性。需要全球协调努力，以促进高质量听力设备的可得性和可负担性。这样一项事业需要所有利益相关者的合作：WHO、成员国、非政府组织（NGO）、慈善家、制造商和用户，以履行国际义务，并改善数百万听力损失者的生活质量。
为低收入和中等收入国家制定助听器优选产品简介，可改善高质量、可负担听力设备的开发和供应。接受者的投资，例如对设备成本的部分资金贡献，或通过购买耳模或电池，会增强对设备及其维护的责任感。对听力损失和助听器潜在益处的认识水平较低，导致助听器利用不足。
