The Gauteng Department of Health has intensified efforts to improve early detection and treatment of hearing loss in children in line with the 2026 World Hearing Day theme, “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children.”
Hearing loss remains a significant yet often undetected public health challenge. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 90 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years are affected globally, with more than 60% of cases preventable through early detection and cost-effective interventions.
Undiagnosed hearing impairment can negatively affect speech development, educational outcomes, social interaction, and future economic opportunities, while also placing strain on families and communities.
To address this, the department has rolled out a comprehensive range of interventions.
During the 2024/25 financial year, 32 738 children aged 0–5 were screened for developmental delays, including hearing loss, by rehabilitation health professionals across the province.
Early screening allows for timely identification and intervention before hearing difficulties result in long-term developmental delays.
The department has also made significant investments in assistive devices. Between 2022 and 2025, more than 3,000 hearing aids were issued, along with 42 cochlear implants, 42 bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA), and 42 FM systems for children with severe to profound hearing loss.
Each cochlear implant costs about R300 000, bringing the total to approximately R12.6 million, while BAHA devices cost around R75 000 each, with a combined investment of about R3.15 million. The department says these figures reflect its commitment to ensuring equitable access to hearing care services.
“Our efforts reflect a commitment to ensuring that children in every community can access hearing care services, learn effectively in school, and thrive in life. This World Hearing Day, I urge parents, caregivers, and educators to prioritise early hearing screening and seek prompt medical attention if children show signs of hearing difficulty such as delayed speech or poor response to sound. Early intervention is key to protecting development and enabling children to reach their full potential,” said Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
The department is also finalising an Early Childhood Intervention Policy, which will ensure that newborns receive hearing screening by six weeks, assessment and diagnosis by three months, and intervention, including hearing aids or cochlear implants, by six months.
Saturday Star