As South Africa observes International Deaf Awareness Month, the Hold My Hand campaign is rallying for a significant shift in how people respond to the needs of children with hearing loss, underscoring the importance of early detection and intervention.
Dr Noxolo Gqada, Strategy Lead for the Hold My Hand Accelerator for Children and Teens, points out that access to life-changing interventions is alarmingly unequal.
“Too often, the only children receiving implants are those whose families can navigate the system or pay privately. Every child deserves the chance to hear their name, sing a song, or laugh with their friends.”
“Communicating with their carer is critical for bonding and brain power,” explains Gqada.
The campaign also emphasises the need for equitable access to resources like speech and occupational therapy along with audiology services, advocating for inclusive intervention that respects all communication modes, whether verbal, signed, or a combination of both.
Gqada is advocating for concrete actions that can transform lives focused on the pivotal practice of universal newborn hearing screening.
It also reinforces that when babies are screened within the first month of life and supported before the age of six months, their chances of developing language and meaningful connections increase dramatically.
Every day in South Africa, up to 17 babies are born with permanent hearing loss. With an approximate total of 6 000 babies affected each year, the campaign reveals the concerning reality that many of these children remain undiagnosed for years.
This lack of early intervention can silence a child's world and hinder their cognitive development during a critical time in their lives. Tragically, families often find themselves navigating the complexities of hearing loss without adequate support.
The pressures on South Africa's healthcare system mean that vital services such as newborn hearing screening, as well as ongoing assistance for children and families, are frequently unavailable.
Often, children miss the essential services that provide access to hearing aids, cochlear implants, and necessary language support.
On 29 September, the Hold My Hand campaign will also host a webinar titled “Little Ears, Big Futures: Newborn Hearing Awareness”. Scheduled for 3 pm and in collaboration with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and Side-By-Side, this 60-minute event will showcase the experiences of children with hearing loss and their families, while health professionals will elaborate on the significance of early detection.
Saturday Star