How Newborn Hearing Screening Changed Baby Bunono's Life

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In 2023, little Bunono arrived prematurely, and soon after, a hearing test confirmed his parents’ worst fears: profound hearing loss in both ears. This challenging start, however, was met with the care and intervention of those who go above and beyond to support babies with hearing impairments. Today, baby Bunono is not just responding to his name, but babbling like other babies, too!

Cape Town, South Africa (06 June 2025) – Did you know that newborn hearing screening can change the life of a deaf baby?

Babies born deaf can learn to listen and talk just like typically hearing children if their hearing loss is diagnosed and treated early. This starts with a simple, quick and safe hearing test done shortly after birth, called a newborn hearing screening.

Take little Bunono, born prematurely in August 2023 and weighing just 1.1kg. He stayed in the neonatal intensive care unit until December at the Tygerberg Hospital, where his hearing was thankfully tested.

At one month old (corrected for prematurity), Bunono didn’t pass his first hearing test. A follow-up test confirmed he had profound hearing loss in both ears. He received hearing aids at five months old, but because his hearing loss was so severe, the aids weren’t enough.

To help him learn to speak, his family’s biggest hope – Bunono now needed cochlear implants.

Thanks to a generous donation, Bunono received his cochlear implant in December 2024. Since his implant was activated in January 2025, Bunono is babbling like other babies, responding to his name and using words such as “mama”.

The little boy’s hearing journey just goes to show how a simple hearing test at birth, followed by the right care and technology, can change a child’s life.

This kind of care and technology is offered by incredible organisations such as the Carel du Toit Trust, the fundraising arm of Carel du Toit Centre, where children who are deaf learn to listen and speak. The organisation has two dedicated staff members at Tygerberg Hospital who perform these screenings, with plans to expand the team.

Why Early Testing Matters

It’s important for all parents-to-be to know: your baby’s hearing should be tested soon after birth and if your baby doesn’t pass the test, they should be followed up within 1 month of the first screening. Early detection means early help, giving your child the best chance to develop speech and language skills.

Expert Advice: The Power of Early Hearing Screening

Sarah Lange, Head of Audiology at the Carel du Toit Centre, explains that newborn hearing screening (NHS) leads to early diagnosis of hearing loss in babies born deaf.

“This allows for early management and intervention, which opens the door for communication development, whether the family chooses spoken or sign language. Newborn Hearing screening is cost-effective and is shown to be effective at birth facilities and vaccination clinics.”

The Health Professions Council of South Africa recommends that newborn hearing screening should be done by one month of age.

If a hearing loss is found, diagnosis should happen within three months and intervention by six months. Unfortunately, many children only get help later than these important milestones, missing the chance to develop speech during a critical period.