Spirit Community Foundation Stories

Established in 2013, HearInAfrica is a non-profit organisation that provides a combination of private and outreach audiology services, integrating its treatment model into founder Shannon O’Leary’s audiology practice. The organisation currently operates in Grassy Park, Wynberg, Lansdowne, and surrounding communities, offering free hearing screening tests. Beyond screenings, HearInAfrica conducts hearing aid fittings, either privately or through their donation programme, providing patients with hearing aids at no cost. Shannon started the organisation after realising that her unique skills as an audiologist were needed across various patient groups and communities. While her private practice primarily served patients who could afford the necessary care, HearInAfrica aims to assist people from all walks of life, providing them with the same high-quality care they would receive in the private sector. HearInAfrica’s roots stem from Shannon’s previous experience working as an audiologist for a community-based project, where she was exposed to the great need for such services among the general public. This experience inspired her to continue her efforts, leading her and her organisation to operate within both the private and public healthcare sectors. By bridging this gap, HearInAfrica ensures that patients do not get lost in the system, addressing the significant shortage of audiologists in Africa. Despite the high prevalence of disabling hearing loss in the African region, approximately 78% of countries have less than one audiologist per million population. HearInAfrica’s efforts to improve access to high-quality audiology services and affordable hearing aids are crucial for reducing the global burden of hearing loss, with a specific focus on the African continent.