POLOKWANE – The Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA) stepped in to assist a pensioner, who is one of their members, to get a new hearing aid on Friday.
Samson Khumalo, a retired public servant who worked for the department of water affairs in Levubu for many years, could not afford a hearing aid and approached the PSA for assistance.
Khumalo was assisted by his neighbour, Power Kubayi, to apply for the hearing aid. “I decided I had to do something to help him, as he lives alone.
“The application took about three months for PSA to approve,” Khumalo said.
PSA provincial manager, Pieter Koen, said as part of the PSA’s social responsibility project, the PSA arranged with the Ear Institute in Polokwane to conduct hearing tests on Khumalo and get him a suitable hearing aid.
According to audiologist, Therine Hattingh, who works at the Ear Institute, the hearing aid Khumalo received cost R19 000.
“The hearing aid will also help in preventing his hearing problem from deteriorating. He won’t hear like a normal person, and the hearing aid won’t bring his hearing back permanently,” Hattingh explained.
Kubayi said he was happy that Khumalo had received the assistance he needed. Both Kubayi and Khumalo expressed their gratitude towards PSA.
“I am happy that I can finally hear again without people having to shout at me,” Khumalo concluded.
