Posts Tagged ‘cochlear implants’

Willem Malan Cochlear Implant Journey

30-year-old Willem Malan was diagnosed with a genetic disorder, called CMT, which is believed to be the cause of his hearing loss.

According to his parents he could hear certain sounds during his childhood, but was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of 7 years and received his first hearing aids at the age of 9 years.

Although he was dependant on his hearing aids, his hearing loss unfortunately deteriorated over the years. Because of his progressive hearing loss, Willem does not receive benefit from his hearing aids any longer and was approved for a cochlear implant. His device was switched on, on 20 June when he heard sound for the first time via a cochlear implant.

Thanks to the financial support from Studex SA, Willem received the Gift of Hearing on 20 May 2019.

Teresa Kunz July 5, 2019 Cochlear Implants, News/Blog, Stories, Uncategorized

Watch: The girl with blue eyes has her hearing aid switched on for first time

A little girl with the most piercing blue eyes has started a meaningful conversation; now we get to see the start of her incredible journey!

Pretoria, South Africa – Florence Ziniel and her daughter Chogtaa are from Ghana. Chogtaa was born with a rare genetic disorder called Waardenburg syndrome which means that she has ice blue eyes but is also deaf.

Waardenburg syndrome is a rare genetic disorder most often characterised by varying degrees of deafness, minor defects in structures arising from the neural crest, and pigmentation changes. It was first described in 1951.

Florence worked hard to raise funds, despite all the misinformation and fear-mongering they faced, to get her daughter a cochlear implant, in the hopes that helping her hear, would help get her ahead in life. Florence and Chogtaa were assisted by the Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss in Southern Africa.

The foundation is a non-profit that works to help children in South Africa and internationally. They launched their first project, Eduplex.

After hearing Chogtaa’s story, Eduplex immediately offered her a fully-funded place in their school where she will learn to speak. The first video they shared spoke of Chogtaa and Florence’s journey to South Africa, now they have shared an update showing Chogtaa’s first time hearing.

They joined forces with “The Oakes Collective” to create a video to tell her story, and change the idea behind “the girl with blue eyes”.

Take a look at the life-changing moment below. PS: Grab a few tissues because we cried like babies watching this!

It is now more critical than ever that Chogtaa gets a chance to learn at a school that is catered to her needs.

The school is appealing to anyone for help as now that Chogtaa is ready to start learning, being in a critical stage of her life, they need to get Florence settled into South Africa. She needs help with obtaining the correct visa to live here while Chogtaa gets the much-needed education she deserves.

If you can offer any assistance, you can contact Erika Basson via email or call them on +27 (0) 12 333 3130.

Teresa Kunz March 19, 2019 Children, Cochlear Implants, News/Blog, Press Room, Uncategorized

Forever Resorts SA Golf Day 2018

On Thursday, 15 November, Forever Resorts South Africa hosted their annual Charity Golf Day, this year in aid of the Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss in SA at Blue Valley Golf and Country Estate.

The Foundation aims to improve the quality of life for people with hearing loss, creating a sustainable future for people with hearing loss, inspire, educate, develop and empower an entire community, create fresh perspectives and innovative solutions, promote social welfare, encourage poverty alleviation and generate a lasting change.

Annual Charity Golf Day in aid of the Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss in SA Loss in SA https://www.facebook.com/FCHLSA/posts/2288133991432930

The Forever Golf Day raised a total of R189 093.01 and the funds were paid over directly to the foundation to help three children (Haley Smit, 4, Ronisha Malander, 4, and Mulweli Makhuva, 9) to pay for their cochlear implants.

Mulweli underwent his operation on Monday, 19 November 2018 and will now be going through the process of slowly training his brain to hear again as he lost his hearing due to illness some years ago.

We would like to thank Forever Forever Resorts South Africa, the Golfers, and all the wonderful sponsors who participated in this successful Golf Day, supporting the cause and making such a huge difference in the lives of children with hearing loss. Without you, your passion and your selfless generosity this would not have been possible. Oranje Drukkers, Bravo Group Sealy, Backgat Braai, Adams&Adams, Pam Golding Nelspruit, Beeld, Birchwood Hotel, Unlimited Events Group, Forever Warmbaths, Forever Badplaas, Forever Gariep, Forever Centurion, Forever Loskopdam, Forever White River, BDT Accountants, AirlinkVictoria Falls Rainbow Hotel, Wild Horizons Tours, The Good Oaks, Pentagon Security Consultants, FNB, Valorem, Agri SA, Rockwood Theatre, Delheim Wines, Levati Water, Rhino Clothing, Work Front, Dairymaid, Pretoria FM, Decimal Agency and Zebula Golf Estate and Spa.

Listen to our Pretoria FM interview with Forever Resorts South Africa for their annual golf day, held on November 15, 2018, for the benefit of the Foundation for Children with Hearing Loss.

Teresa Kunz December 18, 2018 Children, Cochlear Implants, News/Blog, Press Room, Uncategorized

Bionic Buddy coloring book – Advanced Bionics

The Adventures of Bionic Buddy Coloring Book

Teach Children about the Journey to Hearing with Cochlear Implants

The Adventures of Bionic Buddy, is a fun Children’s Story and Coloring Book. Download the FREE Printable Coloring Book here! Bionic Buddy Coloring Book!