Humanitarian Audiology

In April 2003, after meeting over a number of years, a body of audiologists, hearing health care professionals, and students decided to formulate a structure for individuals interested in providing humanitarian audiology services. Within a short time period, a list of purposes were agreed upon.

Purposes:

1.   Provide a flow of information relevant to Audiology Humanitarian Projects (via email, webpage access, in person meetings, etc) ­ between the regions seeking Audiology assistance and the Audiologists planning on traveling to regions in order to efficiently provide services of a philanthropic nature.

2.   Establish a group or name that manufacturers can identify and potentially build a stronger commitment within humanitarian audiology projects.

3.   Provide suggested guidelines to Audiologists who are considering leading projects.

4.   Mentor students and others who are looking for Projects by linking them to established groups that provide philanthropic services abroad.

This body of Humanitarian Audiologists is not considered specific to any country or continent, and likewise, becoming part of this special group of Humanitarian Audiologists is not limited to any nationality or culture.

A special committee chaired by Rev. Garms, Director of CBM (Christoffel
Blinden Mission) from Bensheim, Germany, Foundation of the "World-wide Hearing Care for the Developing World", aims to take positive actions in removing barriers so that all programs are:

Affordable for the economics of the population

Accessible infrastructure and distances in a country

Acceptable to everybody needing services

Appropriate for the culture while still helping the person with her/his problems

Awareness in the community

Committee Chair:
  Jackie L. Clark, PhD

Committee Members:
  Alison Nachman
  Andrew Smith
  Carol Lambert
  Dawn Doig
  Debra Fried
  DeWet Swanepoel
  George Mencher
  Hans Verschuure
  John Martinetti
  Jose J. Barajas de Prat
  Julia Roskamp
  Kathy Ford
  Kristina Corliss
  Maria Angelina Martinez
  Maryrose McInerney
  Patrick Paulsen
  Pedro Berruecos
  Robert Cowan
  Robert Keith
  Robert Margolis
  Sandra Barreto
  Sharon Fujikawa Brooks
  Shilpi Banerjee
  Soami Santiago de Snyder
  Suchitra Prasansuk
  Ted Glattke
  Tom Powers
  Tomi Browne
  Valerie Saul
  Viktor Koci