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NEWS CSI
Hearing test app improves childcare in South Africa Last year, the hearScreen app, which provides affordable access to hearing healthcare received an award in the category of Sustainable Community Projects by the AfriSam Sustainable Architecture and Innovation Awards (SAIA).
H
ealthy hearing and vision are integral
This bears testimony to the innovation and creativity in
to the foundational growth of children,
South Africa and its potential to make a global impact
both in school and in their home
on sustainable change,” says Nausheen Dawood,
environment. In South Africa, it’s
Audiologist and project manager for hearX Group.
estimated that four to six in every 1 000 live births in the public health care sector have hearing impairments. To help find a solution to this treatable deficiency
Simply put, hearScreen is a hearing screening solution on a smartphone. The group successfully cut costs by over 80% with a state-of-the-art
found in many children, the hearX Group has gone
improved model that allows for non-specialist
to market with the award-winning hearScreen app.
personnel to execute the screening on children.
hearX has taken mobile technology to new heights
Whether it takes place schools or community
by providing affordable access to hearing healthcare
centres, the screening is painless, quick and has
using mHealth solutions.
proven to deliver accurate results.
“The app was developed and designed by
Since 2009, the AfriSam-SAIA Sustainable Design
understanding a real-world socio-economic problem.
Awards has grown into South Africa’s most prestigious
AfriSam Sustainable Architecture and Innovation
sustainability award programme, with entries from an
Awards (SAIA). By developing both a specialised
array of interesting projects.
and affordable product, the app rightfully becomes
The hearScreen app received the award in the category of Sustainable Community Projects by the
// THE APP WAS DEVELOPED AND DESIGNED BY UNDERSTANDING A REAL-WORLD SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROBLEM //
one of the most sustainable healthcare solutions for South Africans. For most South Africans, medical facilities, such as hearing aids, are currently not affordable. The hearScreen app is a social initiative that is highly commended. “Translating audio-specialised education into a convenient and short screening test decentralises the model by enabling community members, educators and family to assist with this testing process,” adds Dawood. According to the hearX Annual Impact Report for 2018-2019, the global reach of hearing screenings now encompasses 38 countries. In South Africa, there are three active projects in Tembisa, Tshwane and Cape Town (Khayelitsha & Mitchell’s Plain), reaching 18 437 people with a 59.3% increase compared to the previous year. The community-based focus is on maturing services and increasing efficiency and outcomes.
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