Volume 42, Issue 1, March 2024, Pages 49–61
Awah Jacques Chirac1, Louis Mbibeh2, Evaristus Tikum Acha3, and Tih Pius Muffih4
1 Baptist Convention Heath Services, Camero, Cameroon
2 University of Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon
3 Baptist Convention Heath Services, Camero, Cameroon
4 Baptist Convention Heath Services, Camero, Cameroon
Original language: English
Copyright © 2024 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Informed by the paucity of literature regarding ear and hearing care technology in Cameroon and the growing prevalence of ear and hearing pathologies justified by an increase in the number of clients that show up for ear and hearing care at facility level, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) in partnership with Sound World Solutions (SWS) and Christophel Blind Mission (CBM) commissioned this study to conduct a field testing of SWS Hearing Aids with the aim of investigating user satisfaction vis a vis the quality and model of delivery of SWS Hearing Aids (HD75 and HD100) and to measure improvements in the quality of life of persons with hearing impairment using SWS hearing aids. Within 6months, 30 participants selected through a combination of self-reported inquiry and a Pure Tone Audiometry Test (PTA) took part in the study that was nested in the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) departments of the Mbingo Baptist Hospital (MBH). Three tools including the Hearing Aid Satisfaction Survey (HASS), Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) and the Washington Group set of Questions (WGQ) were used for Data collection at facility level at onset (upon consultation) and three to six months after using the Hearing Aids. The data collected was analyzed using a mixed method design. The findings show reported improvements in quality of life that were drastically adverse at onset of hearing impairment. There was an overall 80% satisfaction with the technical quality of the hearing aids, the accompanying services provided, affordability and ease of use. The Study recommends a review of current protocols related to hearing aid dispensation in the region.
Author Keywords: Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids, Ear and Hearing Care, ENT.
Awah Jacques Chirac1, Louis Mbibeh2, Evaristus Tikum Acha3, and Tih Pius Muffih4
1 Baptist Convention Heath Services, Camero, Cameroon
2 University of Bamenda, North West Region, Cameroon
3 Baptist Convention Heath Services, Camero, Cameroon
4 Baptist Convention Heath Services, Camero, Cameroon
Original language: English
Copyright © 2024 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Informed by the paucity of literature regarding ear and hearing care technology in Cameroon and the growing prevalence of ear and hearing pathologies justified by an increase in the number of clients that show up for ear and hearing care at facility level, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) in partnership with Sound World Solutions (SWS) and Christophel Blind Mission (CBM) commissioned this study to conduct a field testing of SWS Hearing Aids with the aim of investigating user satisfaction vis a vis the quality and model of delivery of SWS Hearing Aids (HD75 and HD100) and to measure improvements in the quality of life of persons with hearing impairment using SWS hearing aids. Within 6months, 30 participants selected through a combination of self-reported inquiry and a Pure Tone Audiometry Test (PTA) took part in the study that was nested in the Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) departments of the Mbingo Baptist Hospital (MBH). Three tools including the Hearing Aid Satisfaction Survey (HASS), Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA) and the Washington Group set of Questions (WGQ) were used for Data collection at facility level at onset (upon consultation) and three to six months after using the Hearing Aids. The data collected was analyzed using a mixed method design. The findings show reported improvements in quality of life that were drastically adverse at onset of hearing impairment. There was an overall 80% satisfaction with the technical quality of the hearing aids, the accompanying services provided, affordability and ease of use. The Study recommends a review of current protocols related to hearing aid dispensation in the region.
Author Keywords: Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids, Ear and Hearing Care, ENT.
How to Cite this Article
Awah Jacques Chirac, Louis Mbibeh, Evaristus Tikum Acha, and Tih Pius Muffih, “Hearing Aid Dispensation in the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services: An analysis of the Model, Client Satisfaction and impact on quality of life,” International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 49–61, March 2024.
