Smartphone app could change lives of 136m hearing-impaired Africans

Swanepoel penned an article for The Conversation, shedding light on the hurdles confronting hearing-impaired individuals in Africa.

Approximately 136 million people on the Continent have hearing impairments, projected to rise to 337 million by the year 2050.

Yet, amidst these challenges, there lies hope.

Swanepoel (in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the hearX Foundation) is developing digital solutions to tackle what is often termed 'Africa's silent epidemic'.

Together, they spearhead community-focused hearing care initiatives in disadvantaged areas across Kenya and various regions in South Africa, including Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Mbekweni, Atteridgeville, and the Eastern Cape province.

These initiatives encompass several key components:

A screening application for children: This innovative app utilises real-time noise monitoring to ensure optimal testing conditions. Parents receive instant feedback via text message regarding their child’s results, with guidance on further steps if necessary.

Early childhood development training: This programme specifically targets educators in early childhood development centres, emphasising the importance of assessing children's hearing capabilities. Teachers are equipped with the skills to identify when a child may require additional support, such as relocating to the front of the classroom or undergoing a hearing assessment.

Adult screening: The app features a user-friendly test that evaluates hearing amidst background noise, requiring users to identify specific numbers. With a brief completion time of two to three minutes, this test has already reached an impressive audience, reaching nearly 500 million individuals across over 190 countries since its inception in 2019.

Provision of hearing aids to communities: The team aims to provide hearing aids to underserved communities.