As the world marks World Hearing Day on Tuesday 3 March, the Carel du Toit Centre in Parow says it is celebrating more than just awareness. For the centre’s learners and their families, the day is a celebration of possibility, perseverance, and the power of early intervention.
Every child at the centre, which is located on the grounds of Tygerberg Hospital, has a hearing loss or is deaf.
In a statement issued this week, the centre said through early identification, consistent use of hearing technology and the Learning and Spoken Language approach, children at the centre are taught to listen and speak.
For families, the moment a baby hears their mother’s voice for the first time, a bird singing or even the sound of a passing car is nothing short of a miracle, the centre said.
Early diagnosis leads to intervention
One of the miracle stories is that of five-year-old Zay-Lee Adams. The centre shared her inspiring story, explaining Zay-Lee’s journey thus far.
Born with permanent hearing loss in both ears, Zay-Lee’s journey began at just three months old when a clinic follow-up appointment revealed that she was not responding to sound. After being referred to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, she was diagnosed at five months and fitted with hearing aids a month later. From that point forward, her path towards sound and speech truly began, the centre said.
Her mother, Shihaam, recalls the diagnosis as shocking yet clarifying.
With both parents experiencing hearing loss themselves and a family history of hearing loss on her father Zane’s side, the news soon turned into determination. Zane communicates using both sign language and spoken language, whilst Shihaam uses sign language as her primary mode of communication.
Communication challenges overcome
Initially, communication presented challenges, the centre said.
After receiving her hearing aids, Zay-Lee was referred to the Carel du Toit CHAT (Children Hear and Talk) Centre, a partner organisation that provides specialised early intervention support to families of children with hearing loss. Through structured guidance, practical strategies and unwavering encouragement, the family learnt how to turn everyday interactions into powerful language-building opportunities, the statement reads.
As Zay-Lee developed spoken language, she naturally gravitated towards communicating verbally, often relying on her father to interpret between herself and her mother. This created an emotional barrier between mother and daughter. Yet Shihaam remained steadfast. Through ongoing sessions and family-centred support, that barrier was gradually dismantled.
Breakthrough brings family together
Today, at five years old, Zay-Lee confidently communicates using both spoken language and sign language. She now shares conversations directly with her mother, no interpreter needed. What once felt like distance has transformed into connection.
“She is my gift from God,” said Shihaam. “Without the support we received, I do not believe Zay-Lee would have reached the level of spoken language she has today.”
World Hearing Day serves as a global reminder of the importance of early detection and intervention in hearing loss. At Carel du Toit Centre, it is also a celebration of resilience, partnership and the extraordinary journeys that begin with a single sound.
