Globally hearing loss affects at least 642 million people. Adult onset hearing loss is extremely prevalent with more than 27% of men and 24% of women over the age of 45 presenting with a mild or greater degree of loss. It is also the most commonly occurring disability at birth with approximately 18 babies born with hearing loss every day in South Africa.

Hearing loss can already be identified from birth with specialised equipment used by audiologists allowing earlier intervention for optimal outcomes. Today’s technology offers for state of the art personal amplification devices suited to the unique needs of each individual who experience difficulty with their hearing.

As the largest training institution of Audiologists in Africa, the Department of Communication Pathology at the University of Pretoria is proud to partake in the Hearing Awareness week during September along with the South African Association of Audiologists.

The Department offers audiological services as part of student training on the main campus.

Hearing Awareness month poster