Epidemiology and economic analysis
Countries are encouraged, with WHO technical support, to conduct random sample, population-based prevalence and cause surveys of deafness and hearing impairment. Surveys are based on a specially developed WHO Survey Package (protocol, data entry form, coding instructions, dedicated software).
The data will be used in planning, determination of priorities, economic analysis and raising awareness. Results will be used at local and national levels, and collated for regional and global levels. See world map showing surveys completed and planned. A meeting of all principal investigators for WHO surveys was recently held in Geneva.
A global data bank on deafness and hearing impairment is being developed using data from the WHO Protocol Surveys and other published and unpublished sources. A preliminary review of the available data has been produced by the WHO.
A forthcoming activity will assess cost-effectiveness of interventions against deafness and hearing impairment, as part of the initiative on the Economic Analysis of Sensory Disabilities.