Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on audiology services in South Africa: A preliminary study.

Background: Hygiene-, work practices, travel, personal interactions and access to healthcare services changed for the majority of the world during the pandemic.

Aim: This study aimed to discover the knowledge, impact and attitudes towards COVID-19 on the professional practices of public and private sector audiologists in South Africa.

Setting: The study included 76 audiologists registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and employed in the public, educational, tertiary or private practice and private sector in South Africa.

Changes in vestibular and cochlear function following platinum-based chemotherapy: A preliminary report.

Objectives: This study investigated the changes in vestibular and cochlear function in patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods: A longitudinal study of 32 participants (10-70 years) receiving chemotherapy participated in the study. Baseline and exit vestibular and hearing assessments that included video head impulse (VHIT) testing, cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), dynamic visual acuity (DVA) and pure-tone audiometry were performed at the patient's treatment venue.

Ototoxicity monitoring in South African cancer facilities: A national survey.

Background: National information regarding ototoxicity monitoring practices are limited for patients undergoing chemotherapy in South Africa.

Objectives: To determine (1) the national status of ototoxicity monitoring implemented in private and public cancer facilities, (2) the knowledge and ototoxicity monitoring approaches implemented, and (3) reported challenges.

Method: A descriptive quantitative survey was conducted in public and private oncology units and audiology referral clinics.

Maternal knowledge and views regarding early hearing detection and intervention in children aged 0-5 years at a semi-urban primary care clinic in South Africa.

Background: South Africans have an increasing burden of hearing loss, especially in low-income rural areas. Limited information is available regarding caregivers' knowledge and views regarding infant hearing loss, which is essential for the successful implementation of early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) programmes.

Objectives: The main aim of the study was to describe the knowledge and views of mothers with children aged between 0 and 5 years old regarding hearing screening, risk factors, symptoms of hearing loss, and intervention options for hearing loss.

Perceptions of public primary school teachers regarding noise-induced hearing loss in South Africa.

Background: Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is an increasingly growing problem in young children. This is attributed to recreational noise being the most common cause of this problem. In young children, hearing problems can delay language development and reduce academic achievements.

Establishing a pharmacotherapy induced ototoxicity programme within a service-learning approach.

Pharmacotherapy-induced ototoxicity is growing, especially in developing countries such as South Africa. This highlights the importance of ototoxicity monitoring and management of hearing loss. This article focuses on the establishment of an ototoxicity clinic as a site for the implementation of a service-learning module in the Audiology programme.

Infection prevention and control measures currently applied in South African audiology.

Background: To counter the global increase in infection-related deaths, infection control has recently developed into an active area of research. Many diseases can be prevented by infection control. In the confines of the audiology clinic, cross-contamination by micro-organisms associated with opportunistic infections remains a real concern.