Global Recognition for PhD Study on Hearing Loss

Global Recognition for PhD Study on Hearing Loss

Dr Okikioluwa Aladeyelu was awarded a PhD in Clinical Anatomy for his novel research that will assist otologic surgeons – head and neck doctors who perform surgery on the middle ear – in better understanding pneumatisation of the temporal bone from early childhood to early adulthood in the South African population.

Hearing loss is increasing across the world, and, according to the World Health Organization, middle-ear infection is part of the global burden of diseases. Aladeyelu said that the major causes of hearing loss remain unknown; however, it has been posited that pneumatisation around the temporal bone could be responsible. This bone contributes to the lower lateral walls of the skull, and its pneumatisation occurs when there are air-filled cavities in the bone, inevitably leading to conditions such as hearing dysfunction. 

Co-supervised by Drs Carmen Rennie, Andile Sibiya and Wonder-Boy Mbatha, Aladeyelu’s study highlighted how the development of temporal bone pneumatisation relates to middle-ear disease and is implicated in many ear-related surgeries, lateral skull-based surgeries, and traumatic skull fractures, as well as a determining the size and location of related blood vessels. 

Using radio-imaging techniques, he established the normal expected growth of air cells in pneumatisation at every stage of post-natal development, the degree of pneumatisation, and its influence on related vasculature in the South African population. The study developed a concise classification of the degree of pneumatisation for diagnostic and surgical purposes. Aladeyelu said he was thrilled when outputs from this study were published in the international journals PLoS ONE, Scientific Reports, Folia Morphologica, and Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy.

‘The study provides new information on pediatric normal temporal bone pneumatisation which could serve as a key indicator in probing the onset of middle-ear infection among South African children. It also offers insights on the prevalence of aberrant vasculatures that are responsible for hearing dysfunction, which could result in an increased incidence of hearing problems and raise awareness of potential surgical pitfalls which otologic surgeons should avoid when planning ear-related and lateral skull-based surgeries,’ said Aladeyelu. He added that he was blessed to have the opportunity to present his research results to otolaryngologists and clinical anatomists at local and international symposia. 

He described UKZN as a conducive learning environment. ‘I have been determined to become a Professor in Clinical Anatomy from my undergraduate days. Now that I have my PhD, with about 26 publications in Scopus and PubMed, and more than 50 citations as well as serving as an expert reviewer for quality, high-impact factor journals, I thank the Almighty God that I am indeed closer to my dream.’ 

When not hard at work, Aladeyelu enjoys reading, teaching, conducting research, singing, dancing, playing and watching soccer. 

Words: Lunga Memela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini