In a groundbreaking medical procedure, 45 patients with conductive hearing loss have been selected to undergo a global first clinical trials at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, where 3D-designed implants will be used.
The trials will be led by Prof Mashudu Tshifularo, 60, from the University of Pretoria, who has dedicated 25 years of his life to chasing a cure for deafness, an achievement he said has been a lifelong dream.
According to the World Health Organisation, an estimated two-billion young people are living with undiagnosed, mostly noise-induced hearing loss, of which five-million are believed to be in SA.
