Carel du Toit Centre (Cape Town): Outcome survey of ‘their’ listening and spoken language approach for children with a hearing loss

Abstract

Hearing impairment is a widespread societal issue, with particularly high prevalence rates in South Africa. The consequences of and costs associated with undetected hearing loss are pervasive and far-reaching, especially when it comes to language development. Hearing impairment in childhood can cause delays in the development of speech and language, as well as cognition which may later lead to educational disadvantage, social isolation, and ultimately economic disadvantage such as unemployment (1). The overall purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of the alumni of the Carel du Toit Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) programme and to determine the effectiveness of the intervention i.e. does the programme result in an improved overall quality of life for persons with a hearing impairment? To date no research has been done concerning the Carel du Toit programme. A consumer survey was completed by ‘graduates’/alumni of the Carel du Toit Centre. The selection criteria included: the individual should have participated in the programme for at least three years; have successfully completed Grade 12 (matric) and should be 18 years or older. Due to learner data not being readily available, snowball sampling was used. A list of names of alumni was gathered for 68 potential participants, with 31 out of the total number of invited participants (n=48), for whom we had contact details, actually completing the online survey, representing a response rate of 64.5%. These past learners were queried regarding degree and type of hearing loss, age of onset, hearing technology used, and educational and employment history, among other topics. Results indicate that the targeted outcome of the Carel du Toit (LSL) practice seems to lead to its stated goals with the majority of the respondents being integrated into regular primary and secondary learning environments, continuing with post-secondary education and are either self-employed or employed. Many of the children with a hearing impairment who participate in the programme, have the opportunity to grow up in regular learning and living environments, and become contributing citizens of mainstream South African society, sometimes despite late detection and intervention, as evidenced by the participants in this study. LSL thus places them at a distinct economic advantage. This study is a first step in documenting that for the majority of learners who attended the Carel du Toit Centre, their Listening and Language programme and practice did indeed provide them with the opportunity to grow up in regular learning and living environments that enabled them to become independent, fully-functioning members of mainstream society, contributing to the economy and not being a burden on the state. Once the data has been fully analysed and with this emerging evidence, the Western Cape Government is encouraged to provide additional resources to expand the existing programme to other areas of the province, to increase the capacity of the existing CDT Centre in Cape Town to increase the enrolment numbers and human resources to support teachers (in mainstream and specialised environments) and the learners as they transition through the education system, and to inform policy and practice nationally.