2093V - Community-Based Participatory Research in Hearing Health Care - A Preliminary Study in Sri Lanka

This qualitative study provides an overview of how Community Based Participatory Research is incorporated in hearing health care for low socioeconomic communities in Sri Lanka. While audiology research traditionally follows an individual profiling model, it is essential to understand how audiology services can be extended to communities. This study has the potential to shift the way audiology practices in Sri Lanka and in the world with respect to lower-middle income countries where many under-served and invisible communities exist. Primary data collection methods are interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Community Engaged Mapping and photovoice. Using these community engagement tools enable the establishment of positive partnerships between the researcher and the community.