Van Wyk, TanithMahomed-Asmail, FaheemaSwanepoel, De Wet2020-02-252019Tanith van Wyk, Faheema Mahomed-Asmail & De Wet Swanepoel (2019) Supporting hearing health in vulnerable populations through community care workers using mHealth technologies, International Journal of Audiology, 58:11, 790-797, DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2019.1649478.1499-2027 (print)1708-8186 (online)10.1080/14992027.2019.1649478http://hdl.handle.net/2263/73539OBJECTIVE : Access to hearing care is challenging in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden of hearing loss is greatest. This study investigated a community-based hearing screening programme using smartphone testing by community care workers (CCWs) in vulnerable populations infected or affected by HIV. Experiences of CCWs were also surveyed. DESIGN : The study comprised two phases. Phase one employed a cross-sectional research design to describe the community-based programme. Phase two was a survey design to describe CCW’s knowledge and experiences. STUDY SAMPLE : Fifteen trained CCWs administered hearing screenings on 511 participants during home-based visits using a validated smartphone application (hearScreen™) during phase one. Diagnostic follow-up assessments included evaluation using the smartphone test (hearTest™), otoscopy and tympanometry. Phase two surveyed the 15 CCW screening experiences. RESULTS : Referral rates for adults and children were 5.0% and 4.2%, respectively. 75.0% of referred participants returned for follow-up diagnostic assessments, 33.3% were diagnosed with hearing loss and referred for further intervention. All 15 CCWs agreed that communities needed hearing services and only 6.6% did not want to continue providing hearing screening. CONCLUSION : Trained CCWs can decentralise hearing services to vulnerable communities using smartphone screening incorporating automated testing and measures of quality control.en© 2019 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society. This is an electronic version of an article published in International Journal of Audiology, 58:11, 790-797, DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2019.1649478. International Journal of Audiology is available online at : www.tandfonline.com/loi/iija20.Community health worker (CHW)Mobile health (mHealth)Community basedHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)SmartphoneTele-assistedVulnerablePostprint Article