Audiologists Scoop Prestigious Award

Audiologists Scoop Prestigious Award

UKZN Audiology academics, Drs Zandile Blose and Ayanda Gina received an award for the best oral presentation at the 6^th UK and Ireland Implementation Science Research Conference. The conference, which focused on sustaining health and public services in an uncertain future and explored the implementation of evidence-based scientific research in both policy and practice, was attended by renowned experts in their fields.

Blose and Gina presented on the evaluation and adaptation of the KwaZulu-Natal Auditory Implant Programme (KZN-AIP). Launched in 2021, the programme underwent a rigorous process to ensure sustainability and accessibility to patients in KwaZulu-Natal, regardless of their context or social class.

Gina, who recently obtained her PhD from UKZN, has extensive clinical experience in diagnosing and managing audiological pathologies in both adult and paediatric populations. Her main research interest lies in paediatric audiology.

Blose is a qualified audiologist with 15 years’ experience and holds a master’s degree (cum laude) and PhD from UKZN. She is also a certified mapping audiologist and a Listening and Spoken Language South Africa (LSLSA) certified therapist. A Developing Research Innovation, Localisation and Leadership in South Africa (DRILL) fellow, she co-ordinates the KZN-AIP and is actively engaged in teaching, research supervision, and mentoring students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Gina said that the award acknowledges their contribution in assisting populations with hearing loss. She added that winning it came as a surprise considering their relatively recent introduction to the field of implementation science.

Blose remarked that they feel humbled and validated by this recognition, as it reinforces the solid foundation on which the KZN-AIP has been developed, ensuring its sustainability.

Dean and Head of the School of Health Sciences Professor Percy Mashige congratulated the academics on their achievement and for representing South Africa and making UKZN proud.

Gina and Blose are currently exploring the possibility of establishing an auditory implant institute within UKZN which would foster interdisciplinary and interdepartmental collaboration.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Supplied