De Wet Swanepoel, Professor of Audiology, Department of Speech-language Pathology and Audiology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. I also serve as Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Audiology and Past President of the International Society of Audiology. Representing South Africa in particular and Sub-Saharan Africa generally, the region is characterised by a tremendous shortage of audiological services with less than one audiologist for every million people. South Africa has the most robust supply of audiologists on the continent, with five universities training more than 100 audiologists annually. The pressing hearing healthcare needs of the region serve as fertile ground for necessity-driven innovation in hearing health technologies and service-delivery.
Latest Contribution
Mobile technologies to support global ear and hearing care
By combining mobile technology with artificial intelligence, more people can access ear and hearing care. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that worldwide, nearly half a billion people have moderate or worse hearing loss [1]. The vast majority of people...
Mobile technologies to support global ear and hearing care
By combining mobile technology with artificial intelligence, more people can access ear and hearing care. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that worldwide, nearly half a billion people have moderate or worse hearing loss [1]. The vast majority of people...
Global audiology during COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected, and in some areas, put a complete hold on, audiology practice around the world. In April 2020, during the peak of the pandemic for many regions, our audiology Global Ambassadors provided their reports from their...