Training for hearing care providers

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Audiology
• Global Health Workforce

Background:

• The global ear and hearing care workforce is insufficient to meet service demands.
• This deficit impedes the development and implementation of essential ear and hearing disorder treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the published literature on the current global ear and hearing care workforce.
• To outline the status of primary care and specialist workforces in ear and hearing care.
• To discuss training models and challenges, particularly in low and middle-income countries.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of the global ear and hearing care workforce.
• Analysis of primary care (community health workers) and specialist services (audiologists, ENT specialists, speech and language therapists, teachers of the deaf).
• Examination of training models, including task-sharing and challenges in resource-limited settings.

Main Results:

• Identified key components of ear and hearing care delivery: primary care, screening, hearing tests, rehabilitation, surgery, deaf services, and cochlear implants.
• Highlighted the varying availability and training status of different professional cadres globally.
• Underscored challenges in training and retaining a competent workforce, especially in low and middle-income countries.

Conclusions:

• Significant knowledge gaps exist regarding the global ear and hearing care workforce.
• Future research and reporting are crucial to address workforce deficiencies and improve access to care.
• Task-sharing and adapted training models are essential for strengthening the global hearing health workforce.