Like most children his age, two-year-old Qa-eed Solomons is “full of life” and “super active”, however, the toddler has one unique difference – a hearing impairment that needs urgent intervention.
Earlier this year, Qa-eed was diagnosed with Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (ANSD).
According to his mother Saadiqah Solomons, an assistant teacher in Fish Hoek, they never knew the toddler had a hearing impairment until he started nursery school.
“Last year, he started pre-school in November where I work at Fish Hoek primary as an assistant teacher. His behaviour was always off and I thought he might be on the spectrum.
“Two weeks after he started school, his nursery school teacher asked whether he had a hearing screening as a newborn,” said the mother, adding that she thought the facility where the child was born did not conduct hearing screenings.
The Ocean View family later discovered that their son had a “rare” hearing impairment.
“We didn’t pick anything up, that he could have a hearing problem, but his language and speech was an issue.
“In November we went to Claremont for a hearing test and he failed all four tests. They placed electrodes to measure sounds but at the time he had an active ear infection so the first test was inconclusive. However, while he was under anaesthetic, they did another screening and he failed all four tests.”
Solomons said the toddler had been for various scans and tests to get help.
According to the mother, specialists advised that the toddler required a cochlear implant in each ear.
“We did a hearing aid trial for six months but it didn’t fix his condition, it just amplifies what he does hear but does not fix the actual problem. All I’ve been doing is researching about the disability and they said what he has is very rare.
“Out of every 20 000 babies only five would have it.”
In May, the toddler underwent a sponsored cochlear implant in his right ear. He now needs another operation for his left ear. The cost of the cochlear implant per ear is around R248 000.
“He is full of life. He is very active, super active. He needs to go to a special school and we are in Ocean View. My husband and I both work on this side, just to go for a hospital appointment it costs R300 for petrol. We are trying to find sponsors.”
Since the operation on one of his ears, Solomons said there has been improvement in the toddler’s speech.
“There has definitely been an improvement with his speech. According to the audiologist, he is running out of time, the operation has to be done as soon as possible. After three years it is very difficult. Just to book the operation costs R248 000.”
Saadiqah Solomons can be reached on 068 200 4050.
