Primary ear and hearing care: training manual

Early diagnosis of ear diseases and hearing loss is essential. Almost everyone suffering from ear diseases or hearing loss would benefit from timely and appropriate treatment. Many of the common causes of ear diseases and hearing loss, such as ear infections or loud sounds and noises, are preventable. Timely treatment and rehabilitation can benefit all people with ear diseases and hearing loss. Health care workers, general practitioners, family physicians, and physicians working in primary care are often the first point of contact for people receiving health care services. Primary ear and hearing care: training manual is a practical guide on how to prevent, identify, and manage hearing loss and common ear diseases that lead to hearing loss. It is primarily intended for health care workers and physicians working at the primary care level and providing services to people, whether in health facilities or in communities. It is intended to be administered by a trainer/instructor familiar with ear and hearing problems, their assessment, and treatment. It is accompanied by a trainer's manual. The manual consists of a series of independent modules. The manual was developed following an evidence-based consultative process. The diagnostic processes and steps, and the management/referral processes described in the manual are based on a variety of information sources.