Three children underwent life-changing cochlear implant surgery at the Ear & Eye Clinic in Meyersdal on July 23.

This marked the start of a partnership that will help restore hearing to 25 children and adults waiting for treatment at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

The initiative brings together the Ear & Eye Clinic, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, former Miss South Africa Mia le Roux’s AboutSound initiative and Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels.

The Meyersdal-based specialist clinic has committed to performing three cochlear implant surgeries a month at a significantly reduced cost to help address a shortage of surgical capacity in the public healthcare system.

Meyersdal clinic steps in

According to Ear & Eye Clinic surgeon Dr Duane Mol, the partnership was born after Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital experienced a shortage of surgical capacity, leaving already purchased cochlear implant devices unused while children remained on the waiting list.

“Baragwanath Hospital unfortunately has a shortage of surgeons and many of the children need surgery urgently because they’ve had meningitis and their cochleas are busy seizing up. If we don’t operate soon, the cochlea can close and we won’t even be able to perform the implant,” said Mol.

“What makes this project easier is that the implant devices have already been purchased. We simply need to perform the surgery at our clinic while sponsoring our time,” he said.

By offering theatre time, equipment and specialist expertise, the clinic has reduced the cost of surgery to about R100 000 per patient, making it possible for Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels campaign to fund surgeries for 25 patients.

“We initially set out to raise R1m to help 10 people, but South Africans exceeded all expectations,” said Jacaranda FM Breakfast host Martin Bester.

Dr Mol said the clinic hopes to complete the initial 25 cochlear implant surgeries and expand the project to benefit even more patients.

Early intervention is crucial

Dr Mol stressed that reducing waiting times is critical, particularly for children who develop hearing loss after meningitis.

Every month a child goes without hearing means the nerves continue to deteriorate and they miss out on speech and language development. Early intervention is absolutely crucial,” he said.

He explained that children born deaf who receive no intervention before about the age of four often gain little benefit from a cochlear implant later in life.

“If parents suspect their child cannot hear, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.”

The first three surgeries were performed by Dr Mol and Dr Tim Else, with two trainee surgeons observing and assisting as part of specialised training in cochlear implant surgery.

Two of the children had previously been able to hear before losing their hearing, while the youngest, who is 16 months old, had only begun making sounds before losing his hearing.

“The two older children should begin speaking again quite quickly once their implants are activated, while the youngest child will require speech therapy and rehabilitation to learn to hear and develop speech,” said Mol.

He added that all recipients would receive ongoing rehabilitation through the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital cochlear implant programme.

A full-circle moment

For Mia le Roux, the initiative is deeply personal.

“My cochlear implant was also the product of the goodwill of a village. I know first-hand what it means when a community carries you. To now be part of a village that is helping other children receive cochlear implants is incredibly special. It’s a full-circle moment because I see myself in every patient,” she said.

Le Roux said AboutSound was established to improve access to cochlear implant surgery for vulnerable South Africans.

‘This opportunity means everything’

Among the first beneficiaries is the nine-year-old son of Evans from Tembisa, who was diagnosed with hearing loss in February.

Evans said Baragwanath Hospital informed the family that his son had been selected to benefit from the project.

“I was excited and happy when we heard he would receive the surgery. For us, this opportunity means everything,” he said.

He explained that cochlear implant surgery is unaffordable for many South African families, and patients in the public healthcare system often wait years for the procedure.

Dr Mol said the Ear & Eye Clinic felt honoured to play a role in changing lives.

“We have a special place in our hearts for deaf children being able to hear. It’s a privilege to help these children and give back to the community.”

While the clinic hopes to continue supporting the initiative beyond the initial 25 surgeries, Dr Mol said the number of procedures it can provide each month will depend on available resources while ensuring it continues to serve its regular patients.