Abstract:

Objective To analyze the framework, core content and priority development areas of international policy concerning healthcare, rehabilitation and educational services for children with hearing and speech impairments.

Methods Based on the WHO's "Rehabilitation in Health Systems" and the six building blocks of health services, this study conducted a systematic analysis of the international policy framework, core content and priority areas for global healthcare, rehabilitation and education services for children with hearing and speech impairments, with reference to the WHO World Report on Hearing.

Results Regarding leadership and governance, an inter-sectoral governance system and capabilities are necessary, formed through inclusive policy-making and collaborative planning with all stakeholders to enhance ear and hearing health initiatives. In the area of financing, sustainable funding and health protection policies are vital, advocating for incremental annual investments to broaden the scope of ear and hearing healthcare services. Human resources development calls for bolstering educational and training initiatives, expanding programs for ear and hearing healthcare, speech therapy and special education professionals, to elevate service delivery proficiency. For service provision, establishing an integrated, person-centered ear and hearing care system is advocated, which weaves ear and hearing care interventions into comprehensive health strategies, acknowledging the necessities and priorities across all levels and establishing an inclusive service system in the realms of children's healthcare, rehabilitation and education. In terms of medical technology and infrastructure, the study encourages the facilitation of high-caliber hearing technologies, emphasizing the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants, and fully incorporating assistive and accessible technologies into educational and rehabilitative practices to improve the comprehensive care of children with hearing loss. Digital technologies' proliferation within children's healthcare, rehabilitation and educational services is also encouraged. In the field of information systems and monitoring, the development of standardized monitoring metrics and the establishment of evaluation mechanisms for hearing healthcare services are proposed, promoting remote surveillance and services. For rehabilitation and education, the establishment of a unified monitoring data platform to augment the quality of hearing and speech rehabilitation services for children is suggested. The WHO delineates five international priority development areas for healthcare, rehabilitation, and educational services for children with hearing and speech impairments, namely early intervention and education, hearing and speech therapy, psychosocial support, social skills and community participation, and vocational education and life skills training.

Conclusion Based on the six components of the health service system, this study systematically analyzed the international policies of health care, rehabilitation and education services for hearing-impaired and speech-impaired children, and constructed the service structure and core contents of health care, rehabilitation and education services for them. Under the vision of WHO health service system, the development of hearing-impaired health and rehabilitation, and the construction of hearing-impaired health and rehabilitation service system should focus on five areas: early intervention and education, hearing and speech therapy, psychosocial support, social skills and community participation, and vocational education and life skills training.

Key words: hearing and speech impairement, health care, rehabilitation, education, international policies