I’m Darike, an audiologist at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Every day, I work with families, children, and teenagers who are dealing with hearing loss. Many of these families, especially in Soweto, face barriers to accessing speech therapy and other essential services. Through Hearo, we’ve been able to provide these families with the support they need, including speech therapy in their home language, delivered via telehealth. This has been an invaluable resource, allowing caregivers to become actively involved in their child’s listening and language development.

Thanks to Hearo, I am able to offer therapies guided by Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT) to help children improve their listening, speech, language, and social skills. These therapies not only support the child’s development but also equip caregivers with the tools to integrate learning into everyday tasks, creating a natural learning environment at home.

In addition to therapy, Hearo’s funding provides access to hearing technology like cochlear implants, ensuring children have the opportunity to learn spoken language. The work Hearo does has been life-changing, offering a brighter future for children who would otherwise face isolation and developmental delays.

I’m incredibly grateful for Hearo’s support in helping these children reach their full potential.

I’m Lerato and I am a hearing screener at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Every day, I screen the hearing of babies from 0 to 6 months. We visit the maternity and neonatal wards, speaking with mothers to explain who we are, what we do, and why early hearing screening is so crucial for their little ones. I talk to them about potential risk factors for hearing loss, events before, during, and after birth that can affect hearing, and signs to watch for at home. We also provide informational pamphlets to ensure they have all the knowledge they need.

Hearo has been a tremendous support, helping me grow in my career, support my family, and assist my mother and siblings. Thanks to Hearo, I am equipped to help detect any hearing issues early, which is essential for babies’ hearing and speech development. I am grateful for the difference Hearo makes in both my life and the lives of the families we serve.

Thank you, Hearo.

Hi, my name is Zweli. I am a cochlear implant recipient, and I received my implant at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Today, I work there as a patient advocate, assisting with cochlear implant repairs, counselling, and administration. My role allows me to give hope to others facing the same challenges I did. Patients feel more comfortable opening up when they know I’ve walked in their shoes.

Having Hearo by my side is invaluable. Thanks to Hearo and the generous donations they receive, I can be on time for work, fully equipped to support my patients and colleagues. Hearo’s support has made a huge difference in my life and the lives of those around me, and I’m incredibly grateful for their dedication and care.

Thank you, Hearo.