De Wet Swanepoel is a professor in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria, a 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. He has published more than 160 peer-reviewed articles, books and book chapters and is funded by the NIH, UK Academy of Medical Sciences, National Research Foundation, industry and has received numerous national and international awards in recognition of his work. Prof Swanepoel serves as Editor-In-Chief of the International Journal of Audiology, past-president of the International Society of Audiology and is a member of the Ida institute advisory board. He is also a co-founder of a digital health tech company called the hearX group.