Despite the alarming increase in environmental noise pollution, particularly road traffic noise, in developing countries, there seems to be no awareness regarding the long-term impacts of noise, specifically traffic noise, on the health outcomes of individuals exposed to excessive noise. Additionally, there is a dearth of studies on noise and its effects utilising the pollution modelling technique known as Pollution Standard Index (PSI) to analyse the impact of noise pollution on exposed individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the noise levels commuters are exposed to and to apply PSI to determine the level of exposure. We conducted a cross-sectional study at two taxi ranks, over 28 days. Eighty-four noise measurements were collected using a sound level meter and a dosimeter at different times of the day and month, peak vs off-peak hours and busy days vs quiet days. Data were collected between April and July 2019. We used the Pollution Standard Index to analyse the data. Noise levels were above the permissible commercial noise levels as they fell within the extremely dangerous noise sensitivity zone as determined by the PSI. Furthermore, the noise levels fell below the WHO maximum permissible level of 90 dB. There was no statistical difference between the means of the open and closed ranks. Dosimeter noise level recordings fell within the satisfactory zone as measurements were below 300 PSI, which is considered unhealthy. There is a need to raise awareness on the dangers and effects of noise pollution in developing countries, as their populations are exposed to road traffic noise.

Background: The emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in communication being heightened as one of the critical aspects in the implementation of interventions. Delays in the relaying of vital information by policymakers have the potential to be detrimental, especially for the hearing impaired.Objectives: This study aims to conduct a scoping review on the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for real-time speech-to-text to sign language translation and consequently propose an AI-based real-time translation solution for South African languages from speech-to-text to sign language.Methods: Electronic bibliographic databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE and ProQuest were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications published in English between 2019 and 2021 that provided evidence on AI-based real-time speech-to-text to sign language translation as a solution for the hearing impaired. This review was done as a precursor to the proposed real-time South African translator.Results: The review revealed a dearth of evidence on the adoption and/or maximisation of AI and machine learning (ML) as possible solutions for the hearing impaired. There is a clear lag in clinical utilisation and investigation of these technological advances, particularly in the African continent.Conclusion: Assistive technology that caters specifically for the South African community is essential to ensuring a two-way communication between individuals who can hear clearly and individuals with hearing impairments, thus the proposed solution presented in this article.

The journal is published for the purpose of advancing scholarship in disability studies and rehabilitation sciences in a uniquely African context. Widely read by scholars, professionals and students, it encourages scholarly exchange between all disciplines and academics from low, middle and high-income countries to work towards the improvement of human development and its practices across the continent.

Literature into exposure to occupational noise in developing countries suggests that the prevalence of occupational noise–induced hearing loss is still high. There is also evidence that the mining industry is aware of this epidemic; however, the efforts to curb occupational noise–induced hearing loss are currently unsuccessful. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore and document current evidence reflecting trends in the management of occupational noise–induced hearing loss in the mining industry in Africa from 1994 to 2016. A systematic literature review was conducted in line with the Cochrane collaboration guidelines and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Electronic bibliographic databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed and Scopus MEDLINE were searched. A total of 1212 titles and abstracts were identified; of which only nine papers formed part of this study. The results indicated that there is a dearth of research on the management of occupational noise–induced hearing loss in Africa. The limited research on the management of occupational noise–induced hearing loss focuses on some aspects of the hearing conservation programme pillars and not on all the pillars as suggested by some scholars in the field. Furthermore, these studies had small sample sizes thereby, minimizing their generalization. There is therefore a need for more studies on the management of occupational noise–induced hearing loss in the mining sector, as there is evidence to suggest that occupational noise–induced hearing loss in African countries is still on the rise.

Background: The limited involvement of audiologists in occupational noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) management through hearing conservation programmes (HCPs) is a global issue. In low- and middle-income (LAMI) countries such as South Africa, this is also exacerbated by demand versus capacity challenges. Tele-audiology is an option requiring serious deliberation by the audiology community within HCPs in LAMI contexts.Objectives: This scoping review explores if tele-audiology has a potential value in HCPs and reviews what has been documented in the literature on the use of tele-audiology in HCPs.Method: A scoping review was conducted using the Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. A search was conducted in five electronic bibliographic databases including Science Direct, PubMed, Scopus Medline, ProQuest and Google Scholar and the grey literature to identify publications presenting considerations around tele-audiology in the implementation of HCPs.Results: Findings revealed significant dearth of evidence specific to the use or application of tele-audiology in ONIHL and/or HCPs both within the African context and internationally, despite the purported potential benefit of this service delivery model, particularly in resource-constrained contexts such as LAMI countries. Of the publications deemed potentially relevant to this scoping review, none were found that specifically investigated or addressed the use of tele-audiology in ONIHL or HCPs as their main objective. Nuanced analysis of publications revealed that in the last decade, indication for potential growth in the use of tele-audiology within occupational audiology is indicated.Conclusion: Because of the significant demand versus capacity challenges in LAMI countries, and because of the need for scaling up audiology professionals’ management of HCPs, careful consideration of teleaudiology as a platform to deliver services in these contexts is required.

Objective: This study was conducted to explore the scope of practice for occupational audiologists in the mining industry and the audiologists’ involvement in hearing conservation programmes in South African mines. Additionally, this study investigated the mining industry’s role in the audiologists’ involvement, and assessed the audiologists’ levels of preparedness for working in occupational audiology. Methods: In-depth, qualitative telephone and face-to face interviews were conducted with seven occupational audiologists involved in the management of occupational, noise-induced hearing loss (ONIHL) in the South African mining sector. Snowball sampling was utilized to recruit possible participants for this study. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: The following themes were identified: scope-context misalignment, juniorization of the experts, audiologists are important… but for what?, and limited training in occupational audiology. Conclusions: Our evidence highlights important gaps in HCPs in South Africa. The fact that the audiologists responsible for the management of ONIHL are only minimally and peripherally involved may play a significant role in the lack of progress reported in the management of ONIHL in the South African mining sector.