South African Audiologist Launches Children’s Book on World Hearing Day to Tackle Childhood Hearing Loss

Pretoria, South Africa: South African audiologist Bronwyn van Wyk today launches her debut children’s picture book, “Little Rabbit’s Quiet Quest”, timed to coincide with World Hearing Day 2026 — a day the World Health Organization (WHO) has dedicated to hearing loss in children.

The rhyming picture book follows Little Rabbit, a young bunny who struggles to hear the sounds of the forest around her. After encountering teasing, fear, and self-doubt, Rabbit embarks on a journey through the Whispering Woods to find the magical Echo Flower. But rather than offering a fairy-tale fix, the story delivers a grounded message: true support comes from friends who notice, apologise, and encourage a visit to get her ears properly checked.

Van Wyk, who works daily with young patients experiencing hearing difficulties, wrote the book to fill a gap she saw in her practice.

“As an audiologist, I see every day how hearing loss affects children’s confidence and relationships,” said van Wyk. “I wanted to create a story that helps kids feel seen — and helps the people around them understand what it’s like to navigate the world when you can’t always hear it clearly.”

The WHO estimates that 34 million children worldwide live with disabling hearing loss, with late detection remaining a significant barrier to early intervention. In South Africa, access to paediatric audiological services varies widely, making awareness and early screening all the more critical.

*Little Rabbit’s Quiet Quest* addresses the topic through age-appropriate storytelling, normalising hearing aids and ear check-ups while weaving in themes of friendship, courage, inclusion, and belonging. The book closes with the refrain “Check up yearly, hip hip hooray!” — a message aimed at both children and the adults reading alongside them.

The book targets readers aged 3 to 8 and is available in softcover format.

More information: https://littlerabbitquest.com

Shop: http://littlerabbitquestshop.com

About the Author

Bronwyn van Wyk is a South African audiologist and children’s hearing health advocate. *Little Rabbit’s Quiet Quest* is her debut picture book. She is available for interviews, podcast appearances, school readings, and panel discussions on childhood hearing loss and early detection.

Contact: bronwyn.dekker@gmail.com

Hashtags: #LittleRabbitsQuietQuest #WorldHearingDay #HearingMatters #ChildrensHearingHealth #InclusiveKidsBooks #KidLit

Images:

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

Links:

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes:

More Info on South African Audiologist Launches Children’s Book on World Hearing Day to Tackle Childhood Hearing Loss here: https://littlerabbitquest.com/

Visit MyPR.co.za to Submit Your News and/or get news to republish on your site.