13/02/2026
Mashudu Tshifularo became the first surgeon in the world to help a man hear again by replacing damaged ear bones with 3D-printed ones.
The groundbreaking surgery took place in 2019 at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, where custom-made 3D-printed middle-ear bones replaced the tiny ossicles that transmit sound.
The result: hearing restored without traditional hearing aids — something never done before using fully 3D-printed ear bones.
This breakthrough targets a specific form of hearing loss, but experts say it marks a huge step forward for personalized medicine — and could help millions of patients worldwide in the future.
👂 3D-printed bones. Sound restored. History made.
💬 Would you trust 3D-printed body parts to change your life? Yes or No?