Nhlanhla Mafu opens up about 'embarrassing' hearing impairment
The
singer is no longer keeping quiet about her hearing loss.
South African musician Nhlanhla Mafu (née Nciza) has revealed that she suffers from hearing loss.
The 45-year-old opened up about her hearing problems in a video
she shared on Instagram.
“For me, at some point in my life I really felt
embarrassed when I have to do interviews and, you know, I'm with my partner Theo and he
has to always like repeat the questions,” the Mafikizolo singer said.
She revealed that her hearing difficulties also affected conversations with her friends and family.
“Even when I am just chilling with friends, sometimes I would just laugh without even knowing what people are laughing about or be agreeable basically to everything because I can't hear.
"And I was really embarrassed to just say I'm having this problem until I realised that I'm
doing this for my own good. I needed to do it because the longer I let it go my hearing keeps getting worse,” she said.
The 'Emlanjeni' hitmaker started seeing an audiologist to help her with her impairment. She has
since teamed up with LS Audiology Hearing & Balance to raise awareness
about hearing health.
Nhlanhla revealed in an earlier video that she believes being exposed to high music volumes throughout her music career likely started her hearing problems.
"I have been in the music industry for 26 years so you can imagine how long I've been in a space where there is a lot of sound, and 60 to 70% of the time I am in high-noise places."
ALSO READ: South Africans celebrate Caster Semenya's court victory
MORE FROM EAST COAST RADIO
Nhlanhla's friends and followers applauded her for opening up about her condition.
Media personality Melanie Bala wrote: "I really admire your sharing this with us sis. My mom has hearing loss in her one ear, and it’s amazing how you learn to compensate for it, and navigate the world, especially when you haven’t shared it with anyone else (yet). Kudos to you."
Thickleeyonce added: "Aaaaw my queen. May God continue to bless you. Thank you sm for sharing."
Some of the singer's followers also opened up about their own hearing struggles.
ALSO READ: Celine Dion's sister gives update on the star's health