HIV or AIDS increase the risk of hearing loss and inhibit speech development. Babies born to HIV-positive mothers are more likely to suffer from congenital hearing loss due to the viral infection or develop hearing impairment over time. These babies have an increased risk of middle ear infections, which can lead to sound transmission difficulties. The loss of hearing inevitably has far-reaching emotional, social, but also professional and therefore economic consequences. This is why monitoring is important in patients with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Hearing loss – as a non-communicable disease – is considered to be the most common sensory deficit in the human population. It is estimated that at least 41 million children under the age of 15 in developing countries live with hearing loss. This makes this disease a silent, overlooked epidemic in developing countries like South Africa.
The Ndlovu Care Group has therefore been offering more audiological examinations to promote ear health since 2014. This includes not only the detection, monitoring and treatment of damage, but also prevention through regular community education programs.
Hearing screenings for newborns are offered for early detection at five clinics in the Elandsdoorn area. There are school screenings, ototoxicity tests, monitoring of HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis patients at the Ndlovu Care Group clinics and diagnostic tests. The Ndlovu Care Group sees raising awareness of the problem as the most important first step. A child with hearing loss is often treated as mentally disturbed. However, many symptoms are easily treatable at an early stage. People need to be educated about this. A training program for health workers is also being implemented.
You can read more about the extensive activities in the Audiology area at:
