Multi-disciplinary team at Netcare Linksfield Hospital comes through for young boy

A young boy’s world was transformed with an advanced hearing solution at the Netcare Linksfield Hospital.

Public Relations liaison for Netcare Hospitals, Martina Nicholson shared in the hospital’s statement that when little Eli Anderson was wheeled into the theatre for the first time, he was on top of the world knowing that his long wait for a permanent hearing solution and external ear reconstruction was finally over.

A few months later, this brave and enthusiastic six-year-old is positively thriving. Eli was just the fifth patient in South Africa to receive the cutting-edge cochlear osia system, implanted by ear, nose and throat surgeon Dr Maurice Hockman who practises at Netcare Linksfield Hospital. “Eli was born with atresia or an absent ear canal. This results in single-sided deafness (SSD), a condition that can impact learning and language development,” explained Dr Hockman.

He added that with SSD, it is considerably more difficult to interpret sound and focus in a busy, crowded space such as a classroom.

“With this type of hearing loss, which is a conductive hearing loss, sound cannot reach the middle ear, unlike hearing loss affecting the inner ear or cochlear. As there is no external ear canal a conventional hearing aid cannot be used. However, as the skull transmits sound a bone-anchored hearing aid, such as the osia system, is an ideal solution to this problem. With this system the sound bypasses the ear canal and middle ear, going directly to the inner ear,” he said.

The possibility that something might be wrong with Eli’s hearing became apparent shortly after he was born, according to his parents, Warren and Claire Anderson. Eli’s left ear was not fully developed. He was diagnosed with SSD shortly after his first hearing screening test.

When the time was right, Dr Hockman worked with Clare Standfest, a radiographer practising at Netcare Linksfield Hospital and they conducted a cat scan of Eli’s skull to map the optimal placement, measurements and angles for the sound transmitter, in preparation for the procedure. To avoid damaging the bone a specialised non-reusable drill system is used, which helps to ensure exact placement.

“Eli was incredibly brave and took it all in his stride. Approximately three weeks after the procedure the system could be switched on and adjustments to obtain the right sound levels began,” said Hockman. According to Eli’s parents, the decision to proceed with the operation was one that the family made together with Eli very much involved in the conversation.

Dr Hockman said the new osia implant is a more potent system, delivering superior sound quality for better communication. Furthermore, the sound transmitter, which attaches to the bone of the skull, is completely subcutaneous [internal] with no need for any parts to come through the skin to join with the external speech processor, which greatly reduces the risk of infection.

“Since undergoing his procedure Eli has completely come out of his shell. He is doing well at school and enjoys playing hockey and soccer. The work that was done for him was truly transformational to his daily experience and it’s just so wonderful that such medical teams and options exist,” said Warren.

Related article:

Heart transplant recipient is celebrated at Netcare Milpark Hospital

Netcare Milpark Hospital stressed the importance of hand hygiene