A proudly South African medical first shines on World Hearing Day
A proudly South African medical first shines on World Hearing Day
A proudly South African medical first shines on World Hearing Day
Gary Oberholzer
A proudly South African medical first shines on World Hearing Day
South Africa is marking World Hearing Day by shining a light on one of our most extraordinary medical breakthroughs — a pioneering achievement that took place in 2019, yet continues to inspire global recognition today.
That year, Professor Mashudu Tshifularo and his surgical team at the University of Pretoria made medical history at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, performing the world’s first 3D-printed middle-ear transplant. By replacing the tiny ossicles — the malleus, incus and stapes — with custom-printed titanium components, the team successfully restored hearing to two patients living with conductive hearing loss.
The procedure, which took three meticulous hours, offered a solution far safer and more precise than traditional reconstructive surgery. Crucially, it can also be performed on babies, dramatically broadening access for young patients who face lifelong barriers if hearing loss goes untreated.
Listen to Al Prodgers’ report for HOT 1027 News below:
Prof Mashudu Tshifularo. Source: Instagram
Seven years later, the breakthrough remains a landmark moment in South African medical science — a reminder of the world-class innovation being developed locally, and a source of national pride as we observe World Hearing Day.
First established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2007, the day highlights the rising global impact of hearing loss and the importance of early detection. This year’s theme — “from communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children” — emphasises the critical need for accessible hearing services, especially for young people whose futures can be reshaped by timely intervention.
As the world calls for better hearing care, South Africa’s own milestone stands as a powerful symbol of what is possible when innovation, skill and compassion come together — and why breakthroughs like Prof Tshifularo’s continue to change lives long after the moment they were first made.
