Whether at work or around friends, your voice is something you use every day. Yet so many people ignore early warning signs of vocal problems – an overlooked issue that researchers at UP are changing through a new low-cost voice screening device.
Pretoria, South Africa (15 April 2026) – Everyone has a voice that matters and deserves to be heard – a belief that has been upheld strongly by researchers at the University of Pretoria.
Ahead of World Voice Day on 16 April, they are inviting the public to take part in free voice checks using a new, locally developed device that could significantly expand access to vocal health services across South Africa.
The groundbreaking, low-cost, smartphone-compatible device, which is currently being tested as part of ongoing research, enables clinicians and trained users to take a close-up look at the voice user’s vocal cords by capturing high-resolution images and video using widely available mobile technology.
Traditionally, this type of examination – known as laryngoscopy – requires expensive equipment and specialist doctors, making it difficult to access in many parts of South Africa.
Voice Disorders Are More Common Than Many People Realise
“Your voice is something you use every day – whether for work, social interactions, or simply being heard. Yet many people ignore early warning signs of vocal problems,” says Professor Jeannie van der Linde, who is leading the research team and is Head of UP’s Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology in the Faculty of Humanities.
Prof Van der Linde adds that international estimates suggest that up to one in five people will experience a voice problem at some point in their lives, with a higher risk for those who rely heavily on their voices for work, such as teachers, healthcare workers, and call centre agents.
“Despite this, access to specialised diagnostic services remains limited, particularly outside major urban centres,” Linde shares.
Improving SA’s Vocal Health
The research and device are part of a broader effort to rethink how vocal health services are delivered in South Africa.
“Our aim was to develop a solution that is more portable, more affordable and easier to integrate into different healthcare contexts,” says Dr Maria du Toit, a Lecturer in Speech-Language Pathology and member of the research team.
She adds that many people ignore early signs like hoarseness or vocal fatigue, often because they don’t have easy access to assessment services.
“If we can identify these issues earlier, we can intervene sooner and potentially prevent more significant problems from developing.”
The technology, which has not been named yet, is being developed at UP and is currently undergoing testing to compare its performance with gold-standard laryngoscopy.
Essentially, taking care of one’s voice should be seen as an essential part of overall health, not something to think about only when there is a problem.
Dr Roxanne Malan, a postdoctoral fellow, speech therapist and research team member, says the team’s vision is for the scope to be readily available as a screening device in public hospitals and clinics all over South Africa and other low- and middle-income countries.
Members of the public can support the research by booking their free voice health check.
“By attending, you’re not only taking care of your own vocal health – you’re helping researchers develop solutions that could make voice care more easily available to thousands of people who currently don’t have access to these services,” Dr Du Toit encourages.
Event Details:
Members of the public are invited to take part in free voice checks on World Voice Day, 16 April 2026, at the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the University of Pretoria’s Hatfield Campus.
To register, visit: https://forms.gle/imqeHnpGveQaEuDD6
Sources: University of Pretoria
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