When ‘Malitaba Makanke (50) of Qalakheng in Mohale’s Hoek lost her hearing ability in 2010, she decided to stop her job as a food vendor at a local school, to focus on her recovery.
Two years later, she switched to an alternative means of making a living, and has since then been working as a seamstress – sewing school uniforms and other clothing items.
Makanke is one of many Basotho who lost her hearing ability due to Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Reports indicate that one of the known side effects of the typical TB treatments is ototoxicity, which means ‘to cause a toxic reaction to the structures of the inner ear’. Damage caused by these treatments can result in hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or dizziness.
Reports further indicate that it is in rare cases that people survive and are not harmed.
Speaking to theReporter this week, Makanke’s daughter, Tṥoanelo, said the only way the family communicates with their mother is by writing stuff on a piece of paper.
The family also communicates through lip reading. While this method works for shorter interactions, Tṥoanelo said it can be difficult for Makanke to fully understand longer or complex conversations.
Since she has not learned sign language, Tṥoanelo said this often leads to frustration, as they have to go over things slowly for her to grasp them.
“She was taken to a hearing centre and was told her hearing ability is low and that she would never hear unless she undergoes surgery which cost about M250,000, which we did not have.
“Despite our preference for lip reading, writing has become necessary in more complex or lengthy conversations,” Tṥoanelo noted.
Makanke’s work not only helped her financially, but also keeps her active and engaged.
Tṥoanelo admitted that her mother’s condition has been difficult to accept, especially as Makanke used to be an outgoing person who regularly interacted with neighbours.
“The shift from being able to communicate with us to being withdrawn and feeling isolated has been hard, but she continues to be the family’s pillar of strength.
“She has also been a great help with my child, who is now four years old, as they have managed to find ways to communicate,” Tṥoanelo said.
According to a 2024 World Health Organisation report, hearing loss is on the rise in Africa. One hundred and thirty-six million people currently live with hearing loss, and by 2050, that number could reach 338 million.
“Hearing loss is the fourth among the factors contributing to attributable year lived with disability, estimated at 43.5 million years in 2019. The rapid increase in the incidence of hearing loss calls for concerted global public health action to arrest the situation.
“The onset of hearing loss in early childhood, unless identified and rehabilitated, impacts the development of speech, language and cognitive skills.
“It affects a child’s performance in school and later in adulthood, and his
or her ability to make and keep relationships and to secure or maintain gainful employment,” the report revealed.
WHO regional director of Africa, Dr Matshidiso R. Moeti, says hearing loss, often silent yet profoundly impactful, touches the lives of over 430 million individuals worldwide, with predictions indicating a staggering increase to over 700 million by 2050.
Moeti said in the African region alone, approximately 40 million people live with hearing loss, reflecting a prevalence of 3.6 percent.
The implications of this extend beyond individual experience to affect communities, economies and society at large.
“Recognising the urgency of addressing the situation, the 70th World Health
Assembly, through resolution WHA70.13, underscored the need for coordinated
global action to prevent hearing loss and facilitate rehabilitation of those
affected.
“This pivotal resolution spurred initiatives such as the World report on
hearing, which introduced the H.E.A.R.I.N.G. package of interventions for ear and hearing care offering a comprehensive approach for tackling this challenge,” Moeti pointed out.
An innovator from Qacha’s Nek who used his experience with ear problems as an opportunity to find cure, Mpho Chaka, says modern lifestyles have seen an increasing number of hearing loss, especially among the youth.
Chaka launched the Marotholi Eardrops and Nalane Earplugs, which have turned out to be in high demand among people aged 40 and below.
He attributed this to the fact that people are exposed to high decibels of music at nightclubs, as evidenced by the fact that they are always wearing headphones.
Chaka explained that people need to know the importance of having a healthy ear, citing there is not enough education on hearing loss, otherwise it would help lower the statistics of hearing problems.
“Despite us manufacturing products, the bigger picture is for us to protect before we treat.
“There is not enough awareness on hearing loss. People do not know that there are hair cells that get destroyed every five minutes when they are subjected to high levels of noise,” he explained.
The National Association of the Deaf Lesotho’s (NADL)’s inclusive education coordinator, Kelebohile Mavuso, says the lack of awareness about hearing loss and its various causes is a real challenge.
Mavuso said, as a small organisation with limited resources, NADL struggles to gather sufficient information and reach remote, hard-to-reach areas in the country.
This lack of awareness prevents many from understanding the full scope of hearing loss, which can occur even at birth due to oxygen deprivation or prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol, accidents, occupational hazards such as construction work or working as a disc jockey.
Mavuso said the government through the ministry of health has policies on deaf people but implementing them is a challenge.
“For example, the school curriculum does not cater for deaf students, and crucially, there are no educational resources, such as textbooks, translated into sign language. As a result, few deaf individuals have access to quality education, limiting their opportunities for personal and professional development.
“Many deaf women are victims of sexual assault, and they face enormous barriers when seeking justice. Without effective communication tools such as sign language interpreters, deaf individuals are reluctant to pursue legal action. This, in turn, exacerbates their marginalisation and vulnerability,” he stated
Mavuso added: “People with hearing impairments experience loss of confidence and social isolation because they are unable to hear and engage with others easily. This isolation can lead to mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, because deaf individuals often feel lonely and disconnected from society.”
According to health insurance provider, Liberty Health, untreated hearing loss is linked to higher risks of dementia, depression and social isolation.
Addressing hearing loss with hearing aids can be transformative. Research shows that hearing aids improve cognitive function, reduce depression and boost social engagement. It’s like turning up the volume on life.
Liberty Health explains that when it comes to children, hearing plays a key role. If a child has a hearing impairment, it is important to seek help immediately. If the problem remains undetected, the consequences can be far-reaching and include the following:
“Hearing speech clearly is crucial for language development. Muffled sounds make it harder for kids to pick up new words and grasp grammar rules, and this will affect their reading and writing skills too.
“Missing key information in class can lead to confusion and frustration. Keeping up with classmates becomes a challenge, potentially affecting the child’s grades and self-esteem.
“Being unable to participate easily in conversations and games can leave a child feeling lonely and excluded. This can delay their social development and affect their emotional wellbeing,” Liberty Health explains.
