Cochlear implant recipient thrives

THE South’s Xolani Mazomba (37) became the 59th cochlear recipient when he underwent the successful cochlear implant operation on April 15 at the Linksfield Hospital.

Thanks to the 947 Bidvest Hear for Life Trust. He lost his hearing at the end of April 2013.

“This started as a flu while I was working in Mpumalanga. Firstly I lost hearing in my right ear, then my left one followed. After going back and forth from South Rand and Chris Hani Baragwanath hospitals unsuccessfully as the hearing aids weren’t helping, my cousin Thabo Mkangala, who works at the Garden City Hospital, recommended the hospital.

“There Dr Rossouw found that my ears were damaged, I was then referred to Cochlear Implant Centre in Parktown, where Almeri Scott did tests and found that a hearing aid won’t work, I needed an cochlear implant,” Xolani explained.

Then he met Dr Duane Mol, Otologist from the Union Hospital, Alberton in early January. It was concluded that his operation would cost about R258 000.

“My medical aid couldn’t pay for my operation and that’s where I was found by the Johannesburg Cochlear Implant Programme to be an excellent candidate for the operation,” he said.

Xolani is still working, he struggles to communicate and needs everything to be in writing in order to understand it. He is then able to verbally respond.

His wife of 10 years, Xoliswa Ganu, said she is happy with the operation, because he will be able to hear again. Xolani is a loving father and all he wants is the ability to hear his wife and children again.

The 947 Bidvest Hear for Life Trust funds a number of these life-changing operations annually. Proceeds from sales of Whackhead’s annual prank CDs go towards the Hear for Life Trust.

If you know of anyone who needs a cochlear implant visit www.hearforlife.co.za and find out more about the 947 Bidvest Hear for Life Trust.