The South African Cochlear Implant Group (SACIG) held its 2025 conference from May 9 to May 11 at the stunning Vineyard Hotel in Cape Town. This year, Cape Hearing Implants (CHi) hosted the conference under the leadership of Dr Louis Hofmeyr, Chairman of SACIG. The event was a significant opportunity for participants across various fields
The HEARRING Group meeting in Dubai From October 21 to 23, 2024, I attended the HEARRING Group meeting in Dubai, where experts worldwide discussed recent advancements in cochlear implantation. This gathering was nothing short of stimulating, providing an educational and interactive environment of the highest standard. The primary theme of the meeting, “The Earlier, the
Presenting a Keynote Lecture and becoming an Honorary Member I am deeply honoured to share that I had the privilege of presenting a keynote lecture on Acoustic Neuroma surgery by invitation at the 68th Austrian ENT Congress, which took place from September 11 to 14, 2024, in the picturesque town of Baden, Austria. This experience
Dr Jakub (“Kuba”) Pietrzak, an otorhinolaryngologist and dear friend, sadly passed away on 13 June 2024. Jakub has been ill for some time and has recently experienced setbacks in his health. Dr Jakub (“Kuba”) Pietrzak. (1940-2024) Jakub (referred to as “Kuba” by his wife and close friends) was born in Dabrowice, Poland, on 27 March
It was a great privilege to have been invited by Prof Myles Pensak to deliver an online presentation at the University Cincinnati Health Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Grand Rounds on 10 May 2023. The topic was on Neur-otology in Southern Africa. During the presentation, I had the opportunity to highlight some interesting facts about South
I was fortunate to be part of the faculty and present at the recent Practical course in Microsurgery of the Anterior and Lateral Skull base. It was held from 13 to 16 February 2022 at the Sunskill Laboratory of the University of Stellenbosch. It was special to collaborate again with my old friends Professor Thomas
Dr Darren Green recently interviewed Dr Louis Hofmeyr on the program “Medies” on kykNET & kie, channel 145. They discussed contemporary issues on hearing and hearing health. What is a cochlear implant The first part of the interview focused on cochlear implantation. It is often said that vision connects people with things, but thathearing connects people with
The recently held annual SACIG congress was a success story in more than one way. I was fortunate to participate in the pre-congress workshops organised by Southern ENT/Cochlear and MEDEL. The Advanced Mapping course 2022 During the Advanced Mapping course 2022, hosted by Southern ENT, I presented on Vestibular function and CI: towards a consensus
Time flies, and who can believe that we are already in the second part of this year? Three significant events for ENT surgeons and Audiologists will still occur this year. Focussing mainly on otology, neur-otology and hearing issues, I am privileged to be part of the programs and present at all three of them. Whether
Should I test my family members for vestibular schwannoma? This inevitably becomes a burning question to all patients diagnosed with a vestibular vestibular schwannoma. Should I have my family tested? Is my condition genetic or hereditary, and did I inherit it from my parents? Can I transmit it to my offspring? What is the risk