De Wet Swanepoel is full professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria and senior researcher at the Ear Science Institute Australia. Prof Swanepoel’s research capitalises on the growth in information and communication technologies to explore, develop and evaluate innovative technologies and service delivery models to improve ear and hearing care. This translational area of research is primarily focussed on making ear and hearing health accessible, especially in low- and middle-income countries.   Professor Swanepoel has 20 years of experience in ear and hearing research and is widely recognised as a leading international scholar with more than 160 peer-reviewed articles, books and book chapters. He has served as adjunct and visiting professor at several institutions including the University of Texas at Dallas, University of Orebro in Sweden, and the University of Western Australia. Professor Swanepoel is funded by various international organizations including the NIH, UK Academy of Medical Sciences, National Research Foundation and industry. His innovations have been patented and has received numerous international awards including the ITU Global innovation award, Philips Innovation Fellowship, AU-TWAS National Award and the Silver British Association Medal (S2A3). He has ongoing collaborations with colleagues from around the world including the VU Medical centre, The Netherlands, The University of Cincinnati, Children’s Medical Centre and at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in London.  Prof Swanepoel also serves as Editor-In-Chief of the International Journal of Audiology, past-president of the International Society of Audiology and co-founder of a digital health tech company called the hearX group.