- Doctor (Mrs) Ijeoma Nnodim had, since birth, been deaf
- Scaled enormous hurdles- with severe hearing challenges and stereotypes of the society against the disabled to become a pediatrician, a physician for infants’ and children’s diseases and defects
- The Lagos-born mother of three now practices medicine at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH)
- She describes hearing loss, types, and degrees, including the causes of hearing loss in children and adolescents.
SMART, BEAUTIFUL, INDUSTRIOUS and indefatigable, Doctor (Mrs.) Ijeoma Nnodim has, since birth, been only hearing-impaired. Although born with a severe sensorineural hearing loss, Dr. (Mrs). Nnodum is today a board-certified pediatrician. A pediatric doctor is one who diagnoses and treats diseases and defects that affect newborns and children.
Yet this woman defied all odds, scaled by all the challenges that come with such disabilities and made it to the top of the ladder.
Today our very own deaf doctor is enjoying a full, productive life.
Meet Doctor (Mrs) Ijeoma Nnodim, a deaf physician. She takes us through the journey of her life, her challenges, and triumphs, her successes, and failures, as well as her vision for the next few years.
Question: Can you tell us about yourself and background?
Dr. Ijeoma Nnodim: I am Dr. Ijeoma Nnodim. I am a wife, mother, and Pediatrician. Originally from Ozubulu, Anambra State, I was born in Lagos and practices medicine here. I have two lovely daughters from my blessed marriage to my husband, a pharmacist who is originally from Imo State.
I was born with deafness, which in medical terms, is the severe-profound sensorineural hearing loss.
Question: Can you tell us about your education?
Dr. Ijeoma Nnodim: I had my nursery education at Imola Day School. I still have a report card from there that says “She does not pay attention in class” (Smiles). Teachers had no knowledge that I was hearing-impaired.
I then attended St Leo’s Catholic Private School Ikeja. My Secondary School was at Command Day Secondary School Ikeja.
I got admission to study Medicine and Surgery at College of Medicine, University of Lagos.
I started a Post-Graduate Specialist program at Federal Medical Centre Asaba, Delta State which I have concluded.
Question: Please Explain Sensorineural Hearing Loss to the layman.
DR. Nnodim: Before that, there are different degrees or weights of a hearing loss. There are Mild, Moderate, Severe- Profound hearing losses. A Sensorineural Hearing loss is the worst degree of hearing loss that occurs in the innermost, sensory part of the ear. It is often severe to such a degree that hearing becomes impossible and irreversible. However, advances in medical sciences and technology have made the case of this particular hearing loss a manageable one. Deaf can now use highly sophisticated and costly amplification and assistive listening devices such as the cochlear implant to aid hearing.
Question: What are some of the symptoms to look out for?
DR. Nnodim: Hearing loss is an “invisible” disability. You won’t know someone has it by just glancing at the person. It is when you try to communicate that you know. Activities of daily living can be affected, going to the market, bank, hospital, church, etc. can be stressful when you have to communicate with strangers. Asking someone to repeat what he has said several times makes them think you are daft.
Symptoms can be noticed in a child such as; Not responding to sound. The child may appear inattentive, distracted especially if you are not facing the child directly. Such children may also have a significant degree of speech impairment, inability to produce clear, coherent or no speech at all. They also tend to keep to themselves a lot.
Question: How was your experience like growing up with such condition?
Dr. Nnodim: I became used to people saying I didn’t respond when they called. Sometimes some made fun of me.
I learned how to read lips, and if somebody wasn’t facing me, I would not know when I was being spoken to. That wasn’t a great feeling.
But It made me withdrawn and I kept to myself a lot. Burying myself in books was helpful.
Question: How about your education? How were you able to scale through to the level you are now?
Dr. Nnodim: At the beginning, the hearing loss wasn’t too bad. I was able to cope with being average. Perhaps I may have done better if the hearing loss has been timely addressed appropriately.
In secondary school, I sat in front as much as possible so that I could see the teacher. I also copied notes from classmates.
But it was after secondary school that I first had access to hearing aids. It made a lot of difference. However, because it was a fairly-used device, the hearing aid got spoilt several times.
I made sure I got to lecture halls very early so that I might secure a seat in the front.
Question: You have really done well for yourself despite your condition. Far better than most people who do not have any of such challenges. What has been your source of motivation?
Dr. Nnodim: My parents, especially my mother, have been wonderful.
They encouraged me in school to excel. My mom has cried with me several times in those dark periods when things became difficult because the hearing aid was bad.
In all, I think that God is the ultimate source of my motivation
Question: What are some of the causes of Severe-profound Sensorineural?
Dr. Nnodim: Apart from the prevalent causes of hearing loss in children and adolescents, including illness, viral infection, accident, in many cases, the cause of hearing loss is not known. Some are hereditary.