Expanding Global Hearing Healthcare: Strengthening Ties Between UP and Brazilian Institutions

Prof Deborah Ferrari, Prof De Wet Swanepoel, Prof Sheila Balen (From left to right)

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the University of Pretoria is currently hosting esteemed collaborators from Brazil throughout February 2025, marking a significant step in advancing global hearing healthcare. Prof. Deborah Ferrari (Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and Chair of the International Relations Committee – Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo), Prof. Sheila Balen (Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte), and Pierre Freire, M.Sc (CNPq Scholarship Holder), are visiting the department to strengthen research collaborations and foster academic exchange.

This visit is pivotal in consolidating an ongoing partnership with Prof. De Wet Swanepoel for the development of a Brazilian Portuguese version of the Digits-in-Noise (DIN) test. This innovative project is part of a broader global effort to improve mobile-based, accessible, and affordable hearing healthcare. In Brazil, this research is supported by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the Studies and Projects Financing Agency (FINEP), as well as the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health. The initiative is also in alignment with the University of Pretoria’s role as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss.

The impact of this collaboration extends beyond research. The DIN test plays a crucial role in hearing screening efforts worldwide, and its adaptation into Brazilian Portuguese represents a significant milestone in improving access to early hearing detection services. A key component of this effort is the expansion of the WHO hearWHO app, which will soon include the Portuguese version, allowing millions of Portuguese-speaking individuals across the globe to access hearing screening through their mobile devices. This expansion is made possible through a partnership with the hearX Group, a tech spin-out from the University of Pretoria, further reinforcing the institution's leadership in digital hearing health innovations.

Beyond the DIN test, the visit is also aimed at exploring new avenues for collaboration with faculty members from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the University of Pretoria. These discussions focus on promoting internationalization and fostering scientific and technological advancements in audiology. Establishing a formal partnership between institutions will facilitate future joint research projects and academic exchanges, further strengthening ties between South Africa and Brazil in the pursuit of equitable hearing healthcare solutions.

As part of the visit, the delegation met with Mr. Setsipane Mokoduwe, Head of International Cooperation, and Ms. June-Rose Ngcobo to discuss formalis ing the collaboration through institutional agreements. This collaboration is a testament to the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing hearing healthcare through innovation and research. By working together, they are not only expanding the reach of critical hearing screening tools but also contributing to global efforts to address hearing loss as a public health priority.

The visit and ongoing research initiatives are made possible with funding from CNPq (Process Number: 443573/2023-8).