Audiology in Greenland: An Audiological Program in a Remote Area

Abstract

For 10 years the Greenlandic population of about 50 000 has been treated audiologically by the State Hearing Centre of Odende. Greenland is a Danish island which is geographically located in the Arctic. The most populated areas are situated on the west coast at a distance of 4 000-5 000 km from Denmark. The distances in Greenland itself are tremendous, the small communities being scattered along several thousand kilometers of coastline. More than 1 000 patients are audiologically controlled and 600-700 treated by hearing aids. Deposits of hearing aids, spare parts and batteries are at the disposal of 17 hospitals. Every summer a team of professional people, including an audiologically trained otologist from Odense, goes to Greenland to visit distant places by air or boat, and to examine patients. Instructions and courses are given to the medical staffs and teachers. Help is given all the year round telegraphically or by letter. Two specially trained teaches live in Greenland and are in contact with the hearing centre. Our system is well suited for any remote areas which have to be served by hearing clinics at a great distance, for instance in small communities, colonies and the like