Organization: hearX Foundation
Title: hearX Foundation partnership launches hearing awareness training for teachers on WhatsApp
Al title (for format and translation – not permanent:
hearX Foundation partnership launches hearing awareness training for teachers on WhatsApp
Description:
In recognition of World Hearing Day 2026, the hearX Foundation launched a new AI-powered WhatsApp-based teacher training programme aimed at strengthening hearing awareness in classrooms. The initiative was launched in partnership with the University of Pretoria WHO Collaborating Centre for the prevention of deafness and hearing loss and aligns with this year’s global theme from the World Health Organization: “From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children.”
What the EARS programme offers teachers:
The newly launched EARS Teacher Training programme equips teachers with practical knowledge and tools to support learners’ hearing health. The training is offered free of charge. Delivered entirely through WhatsApp, the short and accessible training helps teachers to:
– Understand the importance of healthy hearing
– Identify possible hearing difficulties in learners
– Learn simple steps to support children in the classroom
The integrated AI agent, trained on WHO resources and the latest evidence, ensures that teachers are not left with unanswered questions. It provides responsive, evidence-aligned support throughout and after the training, making the programme a living resource rather than a once-off exercise.
By empowering educators to play a role in early identification, the programme supports the global call to integrate hearing care into school and child health initiatives. Since the launch, more than 9,000 teachers have been trained via the platform.
Community-based hearing awareness campaigns:
In addition, the hearX Foundation ran campaigns across various communities in Gauteng and the Western Cape (South Africa), engaging schools and communities around hearing health and early identification. In Gauteng, the team was joined by volunteers from LXE who supported hearing awareness and screening activities. The day was filled with meaningful engagement with young learners — and even some face-painting that brought plenty of smiles.
Across the campaign, the hearX Foundation reached 15 schools, delivering in-person hearing awareness sessions to 10,704 children and 257 teachers.
Primary site: AFR – South Africa
Region: AFR
General Photos
hearX Foundation partnership launches teacher training
Community-based hearing awareness training for children
An audiologist conducts tympanometry post hearing screening
hearX Foundation team trains primary school teachers
Types of Engagement:
Live event: Yes
Screening: Yes
Traditional media: Yes
Social media: Yes
Special needs populations: rural or remote population
Met with individual policymaker: No
Participation of policy makers: Yes
Participation of influencers: No
WHO technical tool used: Yes
WHO educational and social media used: Yes