Institutes in four WHO regions have submitted proposals for pilot projects.

Objectives of these projects are:

• To show increases in provision of hearing aids and services in underserved areas through local partnerships.
• To demonstrate positive effects of provision of hearing aids through developing simple measures of satisfaction, social impact and cost-effectiveness;
• To demonstrate implementation of WHO guidelines within the service delivery system in the country;
• To determine the best methodologies for fulfilling the above tasks of WWHearing.

The projects from India and China have commenced. Linked economic analysis studies will measure costs and cost-effectiveness of the projects.

The Executive Committee has approved projects from Brazil, Philippines and Indonesia and funding is being sought. Other projects are being assessed.

Over the next five years and beyond, funding will be sought to progressively implement full-scale projects in targeted developing countries where the needs and opportunities for cost-effective interventions are greatest.