Miss South Africa raises awareness of cochlear implantation

Last month Mia Le Roux became the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa.

Mia Le Roux, 28, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and has a cochlear implant to help her perceive sound.  She said it had taken two years of speech therapy before she was able to say her first words.

In her acceptance speech, Ms Le Roux said she hoped her victory would help those who felt excluded from society to achieve their “wildest dreams, just like I am”.

“I am a proudly South African deaf woman and I know what it feels like to be excluded”.

Jenny Perold at Tygerberg CI programme, S Africa reported that Ms Le Roux: “….aspire[s] to eventually help provide cochlear implants to those who cannot afford it and give the same gift my community has given me”.

19 September 2024