WWHearing Global Initiative

A global initiative aiming to distribute low-cost standardised hearing aids and services in developing countries and underserved communities.

CBM joined together with the World Health Organization (WHO) and a wide range of governments, NGOs, users and manufacturers of hearing aids, academic centres and international bodies, to launch WWHearing (World-wide Hearing Care for Developing Countries) with the aim of promoting the provision of affordable hearing aids and appropriate services.

It is estimated that 35 million hearing aids are needed annually in low income countries. Only about one million are actually available at present.

Aims of WWHearing:

WWHearing aims to;

• Encourage appropriate, affordable hearing aids and services
• Develop and publish 'Guidelines in Hearing Aids and Services for Developing Countries'
• Gather information on provision and need in developing countries
• Stimulate public-private partnerships in affected countries
• Promote projects for fitting, follow-up, repair and training
• Undertake studies to evaluate models for hearing aid service delivery in countries such as India and China.