At the American Academy of Audiology’s (AAA) Annual Conference 2018 in April, the Academy announced the launch of hearScreen USA™—a national hearing screening app—in collaboration with its developer, the hearX Group. The free app (available on iOS and Android), which will be officially launched on Wednesday, October 10, is designed as an accurate hearing test that can link consumers to their closest audiologist when a hearing problem is detected.
The HearScreen USA app is designed to screen hearing then, when indicated, refer people to their nearest audiologist.
The hearScreen USA app will reportedly increase access to the US hearing healthcare industry by leveraging the current use of smartphone users (estimated by Statista at 224.3 million in 2017.) Based on technology developed and validated by leading international researchers, the app is said to provide accurate detection of hearing loss in 2 minutes.
The hearX Group, based in Pretoria, South Africa, and founded by audiologist and researcher De Wet Swanepoel, PhD, is a technology start-up company with the mission to provide affordable access to hearing care using connected solutions that are available to everyone, from any location. hearX Group point-of-care mHealth solutions, reportedly used in more than 25 countries, provide clinical tests, integrated cloud-based data management, surveillance and referral systems that link patients to care.
“We look forward to the launch of the hearScreen USA app in October and believe in the value the mobile application will bring to both the public as an awareness tool as well as to audiologists through creating greater recognition of hearing loss” says AAA President Jackie Clark, PhD.
The hearScreen USA™ app, available on most smartphones, will be officially launched at the National Press Club in Washington DC, on October 10, 2018, at 09:30 AM. The launch event will reportedly boast several influential speakers including 2015 AAA Convention keynote speaker Shilo Harris, as well as leading audiology experts. The event is open to the public and is free.
Staff Sargeant (ret) Shiloh Harris told attendees of the 2015 AAA Convention of his recovery from wounds he received in the War in Iraq and how audiologists and hearing aids played an important role in his life.
Shilo Harris, served in the military and was deployed to Iraq in February 2007, when Harris’ armored vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion injured the driver and ended the lives of three of his fellow soldiers. Harris survived, but with severe third-degree burns. The blast and severity of the burns resulted in severe hearing loss and the loss of his ears. Shilo has since become a motivational speaker, sharing his story with groups around the country and raising awareness about the affects of hearing loss. He is author of the book, Steel Will: My Journey Through Hell to Become the Man I was Meant to Be (Baker Books).
For more information about hearScreen USA, visit www.hearscreenusa.com.
