Over five percent of the world has hearing loss. Four million South Africans suffer from this affliction. In a vast continent such as Africa, 90% of affected persons do not have access to hearing-related care.

Hearing loss is an invisible epidemic. For this reason, World Hearing Day is observed annually on 03 March to raise awareness o the prevention of deafness and hearing loss, the promotion of ear and hearing care across the world. We live in a vibrant world full of visual and auditory stimuli. The experience of hearing loss can be a very lonely and isolating one because human beings are inherently sociable creatures. The modern world, especially in low-income communities, is still lagging in catering to the special needs of people who suffer from hearing loss.

HearX, an alumni from Maxum Smart programme provides a digital health solution to low-income earners’ problems when accessing quality hearing screening and hearing aids. The group’s hearing screening App were graduated in 2017.

HearX is exploring the introduction of financing solutions such as subscription-based models facilitated by mobile money payments with an award from the Assistive Tech Impact Fund. The company strives to provide financial solutions to all who need hearing-health assistance. “We believe in healthy hearing for everyone, everywhere,” says Prof De Wet Swanepoel from HearX

“What makes the project sustainable is the fact that HearX includes innovative financing models and opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs,” says Advocate Peter Holl, CEO of The Innovation Hub.

“People are unaware of the importance of healthy hearing and how it affects daily life. This has become prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic when people who experience hearing loss face an additional challenge without being able to lip read due to the mandatory wearing of face masks,” says Swanepoel. “We want to provide cost-effective solutions to South Africa’s hearing loss problems,” he continues.

This year’s theme for World Hearing Day was  ‘Hearing care for ALL! Screen. Rehabilitate. Communicate.’ World Hearing Day 2021, together with the World Report on Hearing, present a global call for action to address hearing loss and ear diseases during a person’s life .

“Our solution is delivered in communities by communities. By combining our low-cost mobile audiometry and hearing aid fitting technology with affordable, high-quality hearing aids, health workers can provide community-based services for adults with hearing loss,” Swanepoel explains.

One of HearX’s new projects will expand its screening and testing service to include hearing aid fittings from smartphone platforms. A world first, HearX launched HearZA, the national 3 hearing test App of South Africa. This App allows South Africans to conduct their hearing test using their cell phones and links them to a hearing healthcare provider.

For more information on HearX please click here