2022 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Virtual Conference
March 13 - 15, 2022
10/27/2018 | 1:15 PM - 2:00 PM | Hearing and Vision Services for Preschool Children - An mHealth Supported Community-based Programme | Kramer Lecture Theater 3
Hearing and Vision Services for Preschool Children - An mHealth Supported Community-based Programme
Globally, 32 million children have permanent disabling hearing loss, while 19 million are visually impaired. 90% of these children reside in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Sensory impairments impact childhood development, socio-emotional well-being and academic success. In LMICs, like South Arica, early detection services are inaccessible due to the absence of systematic community-based programmes, prohibitive costs and lack of trained personnel.
An implemented decentralized, mHealth supported screening programme to mitigate hearing and vision difficulties in pre-school children is evaluated. This research project aims to describe the implementation, performance and outcomes of this joint sensory screening programme. The target population is 5-to-6 year olds, in early childhood development (ECD) facilities in underserved communities across Cape Town. Non-professionals from the community conduct screening using a smartphone-based mHealth solution that include data management and quality control. The efficacy of this programme is described in terms of quality indicators, coverage, referral rates, follow-up return rates and incidence of sensory losses.
To date, 343 ECDs have been reached and 4188 children have been screened. Referral rates are 6,4% and 2,2% for hearing and vision respectively - falling within best practice guidelines. Those that referred have been linked to diagnostic services and are tracked to monitor their outcomes. To date 19 children has been diagnosed with hearing loss.
This programme ensures access to healthy hearing and vision to open the way to healthy learning. Combined sensory screening conducted by non-professionals from the community reduces programme costs and yields performance and quality indicators that fall within best practice guidelines.
- Describe the implementation, performance and outcomes of a joint sensory screening programme in an underserved community
- Describe how non-professionals from the community can conduct screening using a smartphone-based mHealth solution to reach underserved populations in the community.
- Understand how a smartphone-based mHealth solution that include data management and quality control can increase community-based screening programme outcomes.
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Presenters/Authors
Susan Eksteen
(), Carel du Toit Centre, audiologist@careldutoit.co.za;
Susan is a qualified Audiologist and Speech-language Therapist. She completed her masters degree in Audiology at the University of Pretoria. She has acquired extensive clinical skills in both the public and private sector in South Africa working with children and adults. She is currently employed in her dream position as a paediatric audiologist at the Carel du Toit Centre, Cape Town. She conceptualised, implemented and manages a sustainable world first mHealth supported community based programme in collaboration with the HearXGroup and Hear The World Foundation. This programme screens the hearing and vision of 5 to 6 year old children in underserved communities (Ears and Eyes for Education- the 3E project). Susan's keen interest in global health and equitable access to health services also makes her an invaluable member during Operation Smile missions.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
Tersia de Kock
(), HearX group, tersia@hearxgroup.com;
Tersia de Kock is a South African audiologist who is passionate about the development of hearing healthcare services in developing contexts. She completed her Master’s degree in this field (2016) with a focus on infant hearing screening services. In 2017, Tersia joined the hearX Group, an innovative start-up with a vision to impact the 1.2 billion globally who suffer hearing difficulties, by providing affordable access and linkage to hearing health. As project manager she oversees the development, implementation and scaling of various community-based programmes.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
De Wet Swanepoel
(), University of Pretoria, Pretoria , South Africa; Ear Sciences Centre, School of Surgery , The University of Western Australia, Nedlands , Australia; Ear Science Institute Australia , Subiaco , Australia; Callier Center for Communication Disorders , University of Texas at Dallas , USA, dewet.swanepoel@up.ac.za;
De Wet Swanepoel is professor in audiology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa and a senior research fellow at the Ear Science Institute Australia with adjunct positions at the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Western Australia. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles, books and book chapters and has received numerous awards in recognition of his work. His research capitalises on the growth in information and communication technologies to explore, develop and evaluate innovative solutions to improve access to ear and hearing health care. He is lead inventor of the award winning and patented hearScreenTM smartphone hearing test. Prof Swanepoel also serves as associate editor for the International Journal of Audiology, as president-elect for the International Society of Audiology and as co-chair for the telehealth task force of the American Academy of Audiology.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -