Yolande van der Westhuizen Audiologists
I think back to my high school and University years with tremendous nostalgia and appreciation for 2 great institutions and wonderful people that crossed my path and shaped the person I am today.
Small town girl Yolandé, grew up on a farm in the Limpopo province, Vaalwater.
I attended the local primary school and thereafter went to boarding school in Pretoria where I attended the Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool (AHMP).
I completed my matric with 8 distinctions and went on to the University of Pretoria to study Communication Pathology (Speech Therapy and Audiology).
It was during the 3rd year that I discovered Audiology is my passion and endeavoured to enrol for my Master’s Degree during 2008, the topic of my thesis was the effect of HIV/AIDS on hearing.
It was also in this year that I served as president of the student representative council (SRC) of the University of Pretoria.
This was a tremendous honour, firstly because I was the fifth female SRC president in the history of the University of Pretoria, and secondly, because it was the Universities 100th year of existence.
I obtained my Master’s degree (Cum Laude) in 2011. I think back to my high school and University years with tremendous nostalgia and appreciation for 2 great institutions and wonderful people that crossed my path and shaped the person I am today. After my community service year at 1 Military Hospital in 2009, I bought a small practice in Centurion and slowly started building this practice.
During 2012, We opened another practice in Northmead Benoni. Since then, we have opened another branch in the Saxby Medicross centre in Centurion. The journey of a person with hearing loss is a very unique journey and requires the involvement of an audiologist and the commitment of the patient – a truly wonderful journey with potentially great outcomes. I enjoy being involved in many patient’s journeys!
Firstly, we live by ‘having every single patient’s best interest at heart’. To always ensure that this remains the truth, the measure I go by is by considering the following:
If the patient in front of me was my own mother, father, sister, brother, child or grandparent, would I recommend the same thing?
How would I handle the situation?
This has become second nature in the 11 years that I have been practising. Some of my career highlights so far include a few projects in the audiology industry in the past few years which I would love to share with you!
Guinness Book of World Record attempt 2017 I was also privileged to serve on the South African Association of Audiologists (SAAA) management during which time I managed a project on behalf of SAAA to beat the World Record for the most hearing tests conducted in an 8 hour day. We managed to do so! Read my write-up on the day here and watch the video here!
Listen to the sound of Mzansi – video project I was also, and still am – VERY excited to have done this project – A video, honouring the ‘SOUNDS OF MZANSI’ – a video that celebrates the sounds that we hear, and the sounds that are unique to our country. Search for it on YouTube, absolute chills when watching!
Captain Hear’O The latest project and brainchild was the CAPTAIN HEAR’O concept which I just LOVE! – Captain Hear’O is a mascot – superhero – EAR whose purpose is mainly to educate children about hearing care and prevention of hearing loss.
I have been privileged to receive a telecare champion award, while also have been invited to Budapest by the Sivantos Academy about the implementation of Telecare in my practice. I have had the privilege of being invited to numerous international training opportunities.
One of my passions are public education of hearing and hearing loss and during my time served on SAAA Management, I had numerous opportunities to take part in radio talks as well as magazine & newspaper articles – including the following:
Television: SABC Raising Babies; CTNG; SABC Health Talk:
Radio: Groot FM, UNISA FM, Radio X-K, RSG, Radio Pretoria
Magazines: Get It Magazine, Rooi Rose, Wild & Jag, Finesse, Plus 50 Magazine
In the past 11 years in practice, there has been many highs and lows, many outstanding moments. I enjoy every moment of this journey and thank everyone that has been a significant part of this journey!
MOST OF ALL, thank you to every single patient that has trusted me in their journey to better hearing and taking my hand to walk this journey with them! 
