Audiology Discipline Members Active in World Hearing Day

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UKZN’s Audiology Discipline celebrated World Hearing Day (WHD) 2021 - themed Hearing Care for ALL! Screen. Rehabilitate. Communicate. – by participating in several hearing campaigns.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2021 marks the launch of the World Report on Hearing, which promotes a global call for action to address hearing loss and ear diseases.

UKZN staff members collaborated with various stakeholders to promote awareness of hearing healthcare and advocate for the profession at a variety of events to help ensure the message travelled far and wide!

UKZN’s Audiology team of Mrs Zandile Shezi, Mr Musa Makhoba and Mrs Zandile Peter volunteered to help translate three WHO hearing-related pamphlets into IsiZulu in partnership with the South African Association of Audiologists (SAAA). ‘These resources will be displayed on the WHO website,’ said Peter.

Team members, including Ms Ayanda Gina, were interviewed on Good News Community Radio and Ikhwezi FM with the aim being to make communities aware about the significance of hearing health, hearing care and World Hearing Day in general.

‘Part of the responsibilities of audiologists is to create public awareness on hearing health care as a prevention measure,’ said Shezi.

‘As a Discipline we hold in high esteem the WHD commemoration and strive to make students aware of the health promotion values,’ said Makhoba.

Gina in collaboration with the UKZN Ear, Nose and Throat department and the KZN Auditory Implant Programme hosted an online webinar to heighten awareness about hearing impairment interventions.

Guest speakers were Dr Bianca Birdsey, Mrs Julie Cordona, Dr Andile Sibiya and Mr Zandile Shezi.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photographs: Supplied