Audiologists’ perceptions of hearing healthcare resources and services in South Africa’s public healthcare system

Abstract Background: Hearing loss prevalence is exceptionally high across developing world regions, including Africa, which has the greatest burden of hearing loss compared to other continents. Despite the availability of cost-efficient preventative and intervention measures for hearing loss, these hearing healthcare resources and services remain inaccessible in many developing countries. The purpose of this study was to describe audiologists’ perceptions regarding hearing healthcare resources and services within South Africa’s (SA) public healthcare system.Methods: A national telephonic survey study was conducted with audiologists in public healthcare system hospitals across SA, and the final sample comprised 100 audiologists.Results: Most audiologists perceived that their hospitals did not have adequate hearing healthcare resources to render efficient audiology services to patients. Furthermore, binaural amplification devices (invasive and non-invasive) for adults with bilateral hearing loss who adhered to the criteria for these devices were perceived to be unavailable in most hospitals. Audiologists also perceived that universal newborn hearing screening services, adult aural rehabilitation services, and follow-up care of all hearing devices post-warranty expiration were limited.Conclusion: A greater understanding of the status of hearing healthcare in SA’s public healthcare system hospitals is critical in gaining support for hearing loss from SA’s legislative sector and advocating for the integration of disability and quality of life concerns related to hearing loss on the national healthcare agenda.