Early detection opens doors: building a hearing-healthy Western Cape from clinic to classroom

As the world marks World Hearing Day on 3 March, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW) calls on families, teachers, healthcare workers, and communities to prioritise early hearing screening and timely access to care for every child. 

This year’s theme, “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children,” reflects the Western Cape’s commitment to building an educated, healthy, and caring society. Hearing health is foundational to speech, learning, confidence, and long-term opportunity. 

Within the province’s health ecosystem, primary healthcare clinics, district and regional hospitals, and specialised tertiary centres work together to identify hearing challenges early and provide appropriate care at the right level. 

“A child’s ability to hear shapes their entire developmental journey,” says Chéri van Zyl, Chief Audiologist at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. “When hearing difficulties are identified early, we can intervene before they affect communication, learning, or confidence. Early action truly changes outcomes.”

Why early screening matters

Early hearing screening, ideally within the first month of life, is the most effective way to detect hearing loss before it impacts development. 

Parents and caregivers should seek assessment if they notice:

• Babies who do not startle to loud sounds
• Limited or delayed babbling
• Delayed or unclear speech
• Frequent ear infections
• Children increasing device volumes excessively
• Difficulty following instructions in class

“If something feels off, it is always worth checking,” says Van Zyl. “Babies often respond to facial expressions rather than sound. Objective screening is the only reliable way to detect hearing loss early.”

Newborn screening is quick, gentle, and painless, and is available at public health facilities across the Western Cape.

A Western Cape story of possibility

Thirteen-year-old Micah Classen from Blackheath has been supported within the public health system since age four, when she was diagnosed with moderate-to-severe hearing loss at Tygerberg Hospital. 

She was fitted with hearing aids and received therapy support through the Carel du Toit CHAT Centre. Today, she is a confident Grade 8 learner who excels academically and hopes to become an audiologist. 

Her journey reflects what is possible when families, schools, and healthcare teams work together within a connected system of care. 

Micah shares this message:

“Be patient and confident and do not feel insecure, because God made you in his own special way. And to the people who can hear, try to understand more, because we are just like you.”

Hearing care across the lifespan

World Hearing Day also reminds us that hearing health matters at every stage of life. 

Megan Davis-Ferguson, Assistant Director: Audiology at Groote Schuur Hospital, explains:

“At Groote Schuur Hospital, we support hearing health across the lifespan, from newborn screening to comprehensive assessments for children and adults, and the fitting and management of hearing devices. With the right referral pathways and timely intervention, we help each person reach their full communication potential.” 

This integrated approach ensures that residents receive care close to home and are guided to specialised services only when clinically necessary.

How to access hearing care in the Western Cape

If you are concerned about your own hearing or your child’s hearing, start at your nearest clinic or community health centre. 

Primary healthcare staff will assess the concern and, if needed, refer you to the appropriate hospital for further testing or specialised care. 

Specialist audiology and ENT services at regional and tertiary hospitals are accessed by referral only, based on clinical need. 

Starting at your local clinic ensures you receive the right level of care and helps keep specialised services available for patients who need them most. 

If you have concerns, do not delay. Early assessment leads to better outcomes.

Community and classroom support

Preventing hearing loss and supporting children with hearing challenges requires collective action. 

Families and communities can:

• Seek prompt treatment for ear infections
• Reduce exposure to loud noise
• Support routine hearing screening

Teachers can:

• Encourage consistent use of hearing devices
• Seat children near the front of the classroom
• Use clear visual and verbal communication

Hearing health is both a health priority and an education priority. When we protect hearing, we protect learning, participation, and long-term opportunity.

A call to action

Untreated hearing loss affects speech, literacy, confidence, and social development. Ensuring early hearing care strengthens not only individual children, but the entire province. 

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness remains committed to building a responsive, resident-centred health system that supports children from their first days of life through adulthood, making access to healthcare a reality. 

“Every child deserves the chance to grow in a world full of sound,” Van Zyl emphasises.
“Together, families, teachers, communities, and healthcare teams can ensure no child is left behind.” 

Listen to the Voice Clip by 13-year-old Micah: