A few months ago, Cure Day Hospitals Midstream proudly announced a milestone achievement when Dr. Anton Smit, Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Surgeon, successfully performed the first Osia Bone Conduction Implant procedure at our facility on Mr. Ben van Niekerk. Today, we are delighted to share how this surgery has transformed his life.
Mr. van Niekerk’s Audiologist, Hannelie Kroon, explained that Mr. van Niekerk initially reported that he struggles to hear when multiple people are talking. Her role was to evaluate his hearing, determine his suitability for the Osia Implant, and provide counselling to him and his family regarding the expected outcomes. Once the surgical site had healed and the recovery was satisfactory, she fitted the external processor and adjusted the sound to both audible and comfortable levels. Hannelie reported that, for the first time in years, Mr. van Niekerk was able to localise the source of sounds and follow conversations in busy environments. She states further that recently, after Mr. van Niekerk returned from a visit with his family, he joyfully shared: “I could hear them. I was part of the conversations. I was there!”. The Osia Bone Conduction Implant can mean the difference between feeling isolated among loved ones and being fully engaged in life.
Mr. van Niekerk expressed with enthusiasm that the procedure has significantly enhanced his ability to participate in social settings, allowing him to engage more meaningfully in conversations and interactions that were previously challenging. He further indicated that the improvement in his social functioning has had a profound impact on his overall quality of life, and that he would strongly recommend the procedure to others experiencing similar hearing difficulties.
The successful outcome and positive feedback of the Osia Bone Conduction Implant performed by Dr. Anton Smit demonstrates a key success story for Cure Day Hospitals Midstream. It reflects not only surgical expertise but also our hospital’s commitment to advancing medical care through innovation and excellence. This success reinforces our role as a trusted healthcare partner, dedicated to providing our community with access to world-class treatment options that improve hearing health and truly transform lives.
Marking a first for Cure Day Hospitals Midstream, this accomplishment is life-changing and underscores the advanced care achievable in a day hospital environment.
