ZIMBABWE

OUR IMPACT TO DATE

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, approximately 1.5 million people are hard of hearing in the country. World Wide Hearing (WWH) has been working in Zimbabwe since 2018 and collaborates with WizEar, a not-for-profit organization founded by a group of Zimbabwean doctors and audiologists who recognized the need for better ear and hearing care in the country. Malnutrition is a significant risk factor for hearing loss in children in Zimbabwe. Working with mothers, we address this issue by raising awareness about hearing loss and providing screening. We also offer diagnostic services for children and hearing aids for those who need them.

One of WizEar’s most outstanding achievements is the launch of a BSc in Audiology and Speech Therapy degree in Zimbabwe in 2019, in partnership with CBM International, the University of Cape Town (UCT), the University of Zimbabwe and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education. On average, 15 students graduate as audiologists annually since 2022. This is a significant step in training audiologists in Sub-Saharan Africa.