Technologies

Unmet Need:
Currently, hearing care is primarily delivered through audiologists, hearing aid dispensers and otolaryngologists. The only community-based aspect of hearing care currently is occasional hearing screening. The HEARS intervention is a first-in-kind approach to providing a combination of hearing screening, education, counseling and amplification delivered in the community utilizing lay health advisors and community health workers. Associated training, education and counseling materials (documents, graphics and mobile applications) are additional contributions.
Technical Overview:

The HEARS intervention is a community-delivered hearing care intervention designed for older adults that combines education, counseling, and amplification. Select personal sound amplifiers and assistive listening devices are used in the HEARS intervention, which have already been tested, verified, and optimized for consumer use. The intervention is accompanied by training materials for those who deliver the HEARS intervention and the participants, including documents, graphics and mobile applications. The HEARS intervention utilizes a process of delivering comprehensive hearing care in the community through lay health advisors and community health workers.