In commemoration of World Hearing Day, Vodacom in partnership with the University of Pretoria yesterday launched the hearZA app.
The app, developed and validated by the University of Pretoria, provides users with a free hearing test.
World Hearing Day is an annual advocacy event held on 3 March. It aims to raise awareness and promote ear and hearing care across the world.
Vodacom is the main sponsor of the hearZA app, which is also supported by the Innovation Hub and mLab Southern Africa.
Professor De Wet Swanepoel, lead-inventor of hearZA, a downloadable Android and iOS application, says more than three million South Africans suffer from permanent, disabling hearing loss, the majority of whom are unable to readily access hearing healthcare - starting with detection of the problem.
The integrated school health policy by the national departments of health, basic education, and social development requires 3.5 million children to have their hearing screened in SA on an annual basis.
However, Swanepoel says the prohibitive costs of audiometric equipment and specialised training for screeners mean less than 5% of these children are being screened.
Using the app, users will receive their test results immediately after the hearing screening. The results will be reported to their smartphone.
"If your results from the hearZA indicate a score below normal, you should make an appointment for a hearing evaluation at a certified hearing healthcare provider. Even if your results are in the 'normal' range and you have concerns about your hearing, we encourage you to have a diagnostic evaluation at a hearing healthcare provider," says Swanepoel.
He adds that early detection with hearZAcan ensure better hearing for better living. Persons identified with a hearing problem will be linked based on geolocation to their closest hearing healthcare providers.
Vuyani Jarana, chief officer at Vodacom Business, says he believes in the centrality of ICT in delivering effective healthcare in Africa.
According to hearZA, 2 522 people had used the app by this morning.
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