Issues that audiologists face in extreme environments
Imagine you’re in the middle of nowhere surrounded by people with hearing issues who urgently need audiometric testing. Where do you start?
As an audiologist, dealing with unusual and complex situations isn’t uncommon. In fact, it can be one of the biggest challenges. This is especially true in places without the needed resources.
For the last 11 years, Healing the Children1 (a non-governmental, humanitarian charity), has brought together audiologists, ENTs and nurses from around the globe to provide hearing healthcare and training to ENT residents, nurses and children in Ethiopia. One of the biggest issues on these visits is helping as much as possible with limited provisions.
The reality of hearing loss issues in developing countries
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) 466 million people (6% of the world’s population) has a disabling hearing loss, with 34 million being children.2 Hearing loss in children is most prevalent in South Asia, Asia Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa.3 These numbers show that proper hearing health care is essential to improve the situation. However, this is easier said than done for many reasons.
Training
One difficulty in providing proper hearing health care in Ethiopia is the lack of trained professionals. As of 2018, there were only 26 trained ENTs to provide services for the population of 100 million people who live there.4
Only three hospitals offer an ENT service – two of which are in the capital city of Addis Ababa.4 So the scope to offer care to the wider population is severely limited. Because there are few trained professionals, the equipment for audiometric testing training must be easy and intuitive.
Power supply
Another issue in providing proper hearing health care is limited electricity access. World Bank data from 2018 shows only 44% of Ethiopians have electricity.5
Those that do have access, can experience weekly if not daily outages that can last for several hours or even days. If generators or other power sources are not available, many work hours may be wasted. It may also stop audiologists from doing their job properly.
In many cases, the equipment in use may be decades old, with dim screens and complex functions. Much of this equipment also needs a voltage converter or transformer. It is designed for 110V inlets, the standard US voltage. This does not match Ethiopia’s 220V power supply.
Ambient noise levels
These environments also pose the challenge of finding quiet conditions in which to provide audiometric testing. Ethiopia is one of the oldest Christian states in the world, with Orthodox Christian churches located throughout the country.
Orthodox churches often play chants through loudspeakers which can be heard several streets away. This can make it hard to find a quiet place to test.
To combat this, inserts are often used with headphones on top. This keeps background sounds to a minimum. Sound level meter apps also help find the quietest place to test.
Portability
In certain parts of the country, towns and villages can be so remote that audiologists need to travel for miles with audiometry equipment. This can also mean being miles away from the nearest power supply. With limited provision for the people in these villages to travel themselves, it is essential to find ways to get to them.
Also, audiologists’ equipment can be bulky. So it helps to find solutions that are easy to carry, are battery-powered or work with a portable USB.
Affordability
According to the World Bank, Ethiopia is Africa’s second most populous country, after Nigeria. It also has the region’s fastest growing economy. However, it is also one of the poorest, with a per capita income of $850. It has an aim to reach lower-middle-income status by 2025.6
Like many Sub-Saharan African countries, poverty is widespread. The Ethiopian government spends relatively little on education and health. This is why it is so essential for groups like Healing the Children to exist and be able to support these countries.
It is becoming more important for companies like Amplivox to provide affordable equipment. This helps audiologists do their work more easily and effectively in these settings.
Audiometric solutions for these environments
Amplivox audiometry equipment is designed for challenging test environments, offering portability, ease of use, flexible power options and affordability.
Through regular equipment donations to Healing the Children and other relevant charities, Amplivox helps more people around the world access suitable hearing healthcare.
For more information on our screening and diagnostic products please visit our audiometers webpage, contact our customer support team on +44 (0)1698 208216 or email.
