5-month-old Leah Strydom from Westonaria in Johannesburg, is a tiny warrior who has been diagnosed with congenital hearing loss due to the uncommon occurrence of having different hearing loss levels in each ear.
‘Leah is such a delight at five months old! Every time she wakes up, her face lights up with the biggest smile, radiating joy and contentment. She’s always chattering away, and her happiness is infectious – being around her just fills you with warmth and happiness. She hardly ever cries, taking everything in her stride, which makes parenting feel effortless. Mornings with her are absolutely heartwarming; her smile sets a positive tone for the whole day. Leah is already so social and playful, curious about everything around her. Her calm and peaceful presence makes spending time with her the highlight of the day. She’s not just a joy to be around; she’s like your little partner in all the daily adventures!’ explains Leah’s mum Mandy.
Pictured above: Baby Leah Strydom
Leah’s story begins during her time in the womb, where unforeseen circumstances added a layer of complexity to her health. At 19 weeks pregnant, Leah’s mother Mandy was hospitalised with Influenza A. Concerns arose when, during the 24-week scan, Leah’s head growth lagged by two weeks, prompting a referral to a sonographer and then a fetal specialist. The possibility of Microcephaly, a neurological condition characterised by an abnormally small head size in infants, was discussed, but negative blood tests ruled out infections. Despite recommendations for DNA testing and an MRI, Leah’s parents chose to embrace her as she was, trusting in what they believed to be God’s plan.
‘As Leah’s parents, we were deeply saddened when we learned about her hearing loss. Despite facing difficulties during pregnancy, we were committed to caring for our beloved daughter no matter what challenges came our way. At first, we didn’t fully understand the extent of her hearing impairment, so we prepared ourselves for potential struggles. Fortunately, her hearing loss turned out to be less severe than we initially feared, especially compared to the concurrent concern of microcephaly. Without delay, we began learning about hearing technology, hoping for a positive outcome that would help Leah experience the world of sound. ‘ says Mandy
Pictured above: Baby Leah with her mum Mandy, dad Peet, and sister Mialeigh
Leah’s hearing loss became apparent when she failed her newborn hearing test. A series of OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions), sounds that the ear produces in response to external stimuli, tests and an AABR (Automated Auditory Brainstem Response), type of hearing screening or diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of the auditory nerve and brain stem in response to sound stimuli, followed, all indicating that she could hear, albeit not perfectly. The conclusive diagnostic ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) and SSR (Steady-State Response) confirmed the hearing impairment, marking the beginning of Leah’s unique exploration into the world of sound.
‘As parents, we went through a roller coaster of emotions when we found out that our 4-month-old baby has damaged hair cells and severe hearing loss. It was tough news to digest, but we took comfort in knowing that there are options for hearing solutions. With the help of hearing devices, we believe she can achieve the best possible hearing.’ – says Peet, Leah’s dad.
Leah’s parents then embarked on a journey of extensive testing and medical examinations. MRI results came back normal, ruling out any brain-related issues. However, Leah’s right ear presented mild to severe sloping hearing loss, while her left ear exhibited moderate to severe flat hearing loss, resulting in an average of 39% hearing loss.
Pictured above: A happy, baby Leah
Crucial for Leah’s speech and language development in these early stages, bilateral hearing aids have been prescribed. The Audiologist recommends fitting them by the time she turns six months old. However, the financial burden of the hearing aids and the costs associated with the numerous tests conducted pose a significant challenge.
‘Leah has been wearing demo hearing aids for about two weeks now, and we’ve seen incredible progress. Once we have the funds, she’ll get her permanent set programmed. In the beginning, she struggled a bit with adjusting to them, sometimes feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated. But lately, we’ve noticed a positive change. She’s gone from being quiet and cautious to laughing and chatting more when she’s wearing hearing aids.’ – explains Leah’s parents.’ explains Leah’s parents
Quotes ranging from R35 190 to R53 705 for the hearing aids have added financial strain, leaving Leah’s family uncertain about covering the testing fees. This has led the family to set up a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy with a target of R372 462 of which they have already raised over R2 500 with the help of 6 amazing donors.
Pictured above: Baby Leah at her first Christmas photo shoot with mum Mandy, dad Peet, and sister Mialeigh
Their aim of this campaign is to raise the necessary funds to provide Leah with the hearing aids and cover the costs of the tests.
‘Thank you for taking the time to read Leah’s story. We’re grateful for any support you can provide. Together, we can make a real difference in Leah’s journey to better hearing. Whether you’re able to contribute financially or not, every bit of support means a lot to Leah and our family. With the demo hearing aids, Leah has already made great progress, and your generosity can help her continue to thrive. Your support will not only contribute to Leah’s hearing journey but also serve as a testament to the kindness that binds us as a community.’ they conclude.
UPDATE:
As Leah’s first birthday approaches, her family is filled with both hope and urgency. Recently, they discovered that Leah’s hearing on her left side is much worse than initially thought, making a cochlear implant an essential step for her development. The procedure, however, comes with a significant cost of R373,000, and the family is determined to raise the necessary funds in time for this life-changing implant.
Next month also marks Deaf Awareness Month, a time that holds special significance for Leah and her loved ones. They dream of celebrating her first birthday by giving her the precious gift of hearing, allowing her to experience the world in a way she has never known. The journey has been challenging, but with the support of the community, Leah’s family remains hopeful that they can reach this goal and provide her with the chance to hear the laughter, music, and love that surrounds her every day.
Support Leah’s campaign: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/leah-strydom-5834890096012312064