Background
Hearing loss affects more than 430 million people worldwide, with the highest burden in low‑ and middle‑income countries. Early detection and timely intervention are critical for reducing the risks and long‑term impacts of untreated hearing loss. Digital tools, particularly mobile‑based hearing screening and audiometry applications, are increasingly important for expanding access to ear and hearing care, especially in underserved settings.
Ensuring continuous availability of validated, high‑quality digital solutions is essential to support national programmes and global health initiatives. Moreover, establishing clinical evidence for digital audiometry and hearing‑screening innovations remains a key component for regulatory acceptance, country‑level adoption, and integration into health service packages.
The Department for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) is looking for a service provider contract to support its work for this initiative.
To support these global needs, WHO is looking for a provider for:
- Maintenance and 24/7 technical support for an existing hearing‑screening mobile app;
- Development and/or technical + clinical validation of an audiometry mobile app aligned with international standards;
- Clinical trials necessary to generate evidence for both applications’ performance, usability, and suitability for integration into ear and hearing care programmes.
Required components of proposal
The proposal submitted in response should include:
- Statement of interest
- Cost proposal
- Examples of previous relevant, similar work undertaken (or portfolio)
Detailed timeline for the proposed project
Submission of proposals
Your company is invited to submit a proposal to the email derc@who.int and chadhas@who.int by 20 February 2026.