Beliefs and practices of Black South African traditional healers regarding hearing impairment

The study investigated beliefs and practices of Black South African traditional healers regarding hearing impairment. Fifteen Black South African traditional healers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. An exploratory-descriptive research design incorporating a mixed qualitative/quantitative method was employed and data were collected via individual interviews. Traditional healers reported being consulted for what could possibly reflect a variety of audiological and otological problems, and using a wide range of diagnostic and treatment techniques. Although the healers mentioned infection, organic deterioration, noise exposure, and congenital aspects as cause of hearing impairment; they tended to anthropomorphise the cause of the disease, and the reason for becoming ill was often sought in a supernatural realm. These findings have implications for culturally sensitive practice, collaboration between traditional healers and audiologists, sharing of information regarding hearing impairment, mutual referrals, and involvement of traditional healers in hearing health care. © 2005 British Society of Audiology, International Society of Audiology, and Nordic Audiological Society.