International Hearing Award 2025

DeWet Swanepoel, from the University of Pretoria, has received this year’s International Hearing Award from the American Academy of Audiology. It is awarded to an audiologist or vestibular scientist who lives and works outside of the United States who has provided outstanding contributions to the profession of audiology in a clinical, academic, research, advocacy or professional capacity.



Dr Swanepoel is a distinguished audiologist known for advancing global hearing-health care, especially in underserved areas. His research focuses on improving access to audiological services through innovative technologies such as mobile and telehealth solutions. As co-founder of hearX Group, he has developed health and digital hearing assessment tools, making health care more accessible in low-income communities. With over 280 peer-reviewed publications, six textbooks, and leadership roles such as editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Audiology, Dr Swanepoel has contributed to research, education and policy. He also leads the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss at the University of Pretoria.

“I’m truly honoured and immensely grateful to my colleagues, mentors and collaborators who have shaped this journey,” he says. “Advancing global access to hearing care is a shared mission, and I’m thankful to be part of this important work. The achievement I’m most proud of us our work in leading the way to use digital technologies like smart phones as a platform for hearing screening, hearing testing and also delivery and programming of hearing aids. That’s really been instrumental to change access, particularly in low-income communities, allowing minimally trained persons to facilitate these services and to bring care to those who were never able to have care previously.”

See our recent interview with DeWet in ENT & Audiology News:

https://www.entandaudiologynews.com/features/audiology-features/post/in-conversation-with-helen-and-de-wet-in-paris-cochlear-implants-in-the-year-2074