Deaf News: First-ever middle ear transplant takes place in South Africa

The first middle ear transplant has been successfully performed by professors in South Africa, in a procedure which could reverse some hearing loss caused by birth defects, infection and trauma.

The surgery uses 3D printing technology to replace small bones in the middle ear known as ossicles, commonly labelled as the anvil, hammer and stirrup.

Professor Mashudu Tshifularo, who developed the treatment, said: “By replacing only the ossicles that aren’t functioning properly, the procedure carries significantly less risk than known prostheses and their associated surgical procedures.

“We will use titanium for this procedure, which is biocompatible. We use an endoscope to do the replacement, so the transplant is expected to be quick, with minimal scarring.

“3D technology is allowing us to do things we never thought we could.”

The transplant, which can be used on newborns, was first performed earlier this month on a 35-year-old male.

The patient, who suffered a damaged middle ear from a car accident, was able to hear again once the procedure was complete.

Professor Tshifularo has now asked for sponsors and funding to allow his treatment “to take off the ground”, while Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi called for donors and those in the business community to support the invention.

“As a Department of Health, we shall do everything in our power to assist and mobilize resources to make sure that Prof. Tshifularo gets all the help he needs for this far reaching innovation,” Minister Motsoaledi said.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and blogger from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and makes the occasional video about deaf awareness on his YouTube channel. He can also be found talking about disability, politics, theatre, books and music on his Twitter, or on his website.