Preventive Audiology in Africa: Advancing Policy, Practice, and Innovation in Hearing Health

BackgroundThe burden of hearing loss in Africa is substantial, yet preventive audiology remains underdeveloped compared with global standards. Existing literature often focuses on clinical management rather than systemic prevention, policy implementation, ethical governance, or contextually relevant technological solutions. Preventive audiology in Africa also faces unique challenges, including limited resources, fragmented service delivery, regulatory gaps, and ethical and cultural considerations. This Special Issue foregrounds African perspectives to ensure that research addresses local realities, cultural considerations, and systemic barriers, and supports equitable, contextually relevant hearing healthcare across both paediatric and adult populations, including occupational and community settings.GoalThis Research Topic aims to advance knowledge, research, and practice in preventive audiology across Africa by exploring the intersections of policy, ethics, regulation, community engagement, and emerging technologies in the prevention, early detection, and management of hearing loss. It seeks to:o Synthesise African perspectives on preventive audiology, highlighting Africa-specific challenges and opportunities for policy, ethics, and technology.o Bridge gaps between research, policy, and clinical practice, promoting evidence-based interventions in real-world, resource-constrained African settings.o Stimulate interdisciplinary discourse that integrates public health, audiology, occupational health, and emerging 4IR technologies (including AI, big data, and connected devices).o Challenge existing knowledge paradigms by centering Africa-specific evidence, cultural considerations, and ethical approaches rather than replicating global models.o Encourage the publication of empirical research and critical analyses that support the development of contextually relevant preventive audiology guidelines, frameworks, and innovations.Scope This Research Topic welcomes submissions on preventive audiology in African contexts, including (but not limited to):o Legislative and regulatory frameworks for preventive audiology in African contextso Ethical and cultural considerations in early hearing detection and interventiono Quality, equity, and accessibility of audiology serviceso Occupational hearing loss and hearing conservation programmeso Community engagement and participatory approaches in hearing healtho Integration of artificial intelligence, big data, and emerging technologies in audiologyo Biases, equity, and inclusivity in AI and technology-driven hearing assessmentso Policy analyses, position papers, and implementation strategies for preventive audiology Topic editors: Katijah Khoza-Shangase, Oluwafemi G. Oluwole, Theophilus Adjeso Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78783/preventive-audiology-in-africa-advancing-policy-practice-and-innovation-in-hearing-health