The COHEAR study is NIHR funded and aims to improve community-based ear and hearing care in Malawi, Zambia, and Cambodia. Ear disease and hearing loss are common but often overlooked health problems, with about 80% of the 1.6 billion people with hearing loss worldwide living in LMICs. Two vulnerable groups, people with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) and children who are congenitally deaf, face barriers to care, including limited treatment access, stigma, and exclusion from education and social life. 

The project explores low-cost solutions through four work packages: qualitative research on lived experiences and community perceptions; a randomized controlled trial assessing topical iodine for treating ear discharge in CSOM; testing low-cost bone conduction headsets for hearing rehabilitation; and examining deaf children’s experiences while exploring digital sign-language interventions to improve communication. 

The study also strengthens research capacity by supporting PhD researchers and building an international network focused on ear and hearing care in low-resource settings. Ultimately, it aims to generate evidence to inform policy and improve health and social outcomes.