The University of Pretoria (UP) has announced a partnership with the hearX Foundation to launch the latest evolution of the EARS teacher training programme. The fully automated, AI-powered hearing health training tool is delivered via WhatsApp and is available free of charge to educators, from preschool through secondary school.
The initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2026 World Hearing Day theme, “From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing Care for All Children.” The programme reflects UP’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to hearing care.
The university is home to Africa’s only WHO Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss.
Millions of Children Remain Undiagnosed
Globally, an estimated 90 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years live with hearing loss, and many remain undiagnosed. In low- and middle-income settings, limited access to audiological services means teachers are often the first adults to observe potential signs of hearing difficulty.
When hearing challenges go unidentified, the impact extends beyond the classroom. Untreated hearing loss can affect speech and language development, literacy, social participation, mental health, and long-term educational and life opportunities.
More than 60% of childhood hearing loss is considered preventable through cost-effective public health measures. Early identification is widely recognized as the critical first step, and teachers are uniquely positioned to help identify early signs.
Evidence-Based Foundation
The EARS programme emerged from scientific research. A published study demonstrated that the original mHealth-supported WhatsApp training significantly improved hearing health knowledge among more than 1,000 early childhood development practitioners. Knowledge gains were sustained six months after training, establishing a scalable and accessible model for evidence-based hearing health education in under-resourced settings.
The 2026 iteration builds on that foundation with a fully automated upgrade incorporating an AI agent trained on evidence-based materials, including WHO guidelines. The AI-enabled system can answer participant questions in real time, provide personalized guidance, and offer ongoing support — all within the familiar WhatsApp environment.
Professor De Wet Swanepoel
“Healthy hearing is the gateway to healthy learning,” said Professor De Wet Swanepoel of UP’s WHO Collaborating Centre for the Prevention of Deafness and Hearing Loss.
“As Africa’s only such WHO Collaborating Centre, the University has a responsibility to translate research into real-world impact. This partnership with the hearX Foundation does exactly that. By placing an evidence-based, AI-supported training tool in the hands of every teacher, we are taking the science out of the laboratory and into the classroom, where it truly matters.”
What the EARS Programme Provides
The WhatsApp delivery is made possible through the messaging infrastructure of Turn.io
Delivered entirely via WhatsApp, the programme requires no app download, no special equipment, and no prior technical knowledge. EARS guides teachers through practical modules covering:
- Early signs and risk factors for hearing difficulties in children
- The impact of untreated hearing loss on academic achievement and development
- Red flags to identify in everyday classroom interactions
- Practical steps to support learners and facilitate timely referral for assessment
WhatsApp delivery is enabled through Turn.io, a conversational platform built on the WhatsApp Business API, allowing the programme to scale reliably across South Africa and internationally.
The integrated AI agent, trained on WHO resources and current evidence, ensures educators receive responsive, evidence-aligned support during and after training. The programme is designed to function as an ongoing resource rather than a one-time intervention.
How to Participate
The training is free and available to teachers working with preschool and school-aged children.
To begin, send the word “EARS” via WhatsApp to +27 87 813 4013 or visit:
https://wa.me/27878134013
Source: University of Pretoria
