medicalaudiology.com.au [email protected]Medical Audiology Services • 2nd Floor 51,Colin Street West Perth 6005 08 9321 7746 08 9481 1917 MAS offers comprehensive services that include: MAS Specialist Audiologists work closely with GP’s and ENT Doctors to ensure you receive the best care. A referral is only necessary if you require a Medicare rebate. • Adult and child hearing assessments • Hearing aids • Cochlear implants • Bone conduction hearing implants • Electro-acoustic hearing implants • Balance assessments and rehabilitation • Custom hearing protection • Auditory brainstem response tests • Tinnitus assessment & management • Pre and post-employment assessments was established in 1987 by ENT Specialists to provide a fully independent, high quality and ethical practice. 3283297JTGL08162016 THE WEST AUSTRALIAN LIFTOUT FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 • 1 Hearing Awareness Week 2016 August 21-27 Causes of hearing loss • Understanding inclusion support The aging ear • Latest hearing aid technology Hearing Awareness Week Expo, Saturday August 27 ADVERTISING LIFTOUT
Medical Audiology Services • 2nd Floor 51,Colin Street West Perth 6005
08 9321 774608 9481 1917
MAS offers comprehensive services that include:
MAS Specialist Audiologists work closely with GP’s and ENT Doctors to ensureyou receive the best care. A referral is only necessary if you require a Medicare rebate.
• Adult and child hearing assessments• Hearing aids• Cochlear implants• Bone conduction hearing implants• Electro-acoustic hearing implants
• Balance assessments and rehabilitation• Custom hearing protection• Auditory brainstem response tests• Tinnitus assessment & management• Pre and post-employment assessments
was established in 1987 by ENT Specialists to providea fully independent, high quality and ethical practice.
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THE WEST AUSTRALIAN LIFTOUT FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 • 1
HearingAwarenessWeek 2016
August 21-27
Causes of hearing loss • Understanding inclusion supportThe aging ear • Latest hearing aid technology
Hearing Awareness Week Expo, Saturday August 27
ADVERTISING LIFTOUT
2 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 THE WEST AUSTRALIAN THE WEST AUSTRALIAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 • 3
HEARING AWARENESS EXPO & FAMILY FUN DAY
Saturday 27th August 10am - 3pm at Bendat Community Centre,
36 Dodd Street Wembley
A fun and informative day for individuals, families and businesses!
For information call (08) 9387 9888
HHHHEEEAAAAARRRRRIIINNNNGGGG
HEARING
AAAAAAAAWWWWWWWAARREENNEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
A
WARENESS
WWWWWWWEEEEKK
WEEK
www.deafnesscouncilwa.org.au Understanding Inclusion Support
Telethon Speech & HearingSunday 21st August 3pm Power of Speech AwardsBy invitation only.For information call (08) 9387 9888
School of Special Education Needs SensoryMonday 22nd August 10am Hearing Awareness Week Launch & Presentation of the Dr Harry Blackmore AwardFor information call (08) 9387 9856
Australian HearingTuesday 23rd August 12pm-1pm & 5.30pm-6.30pmYoung Adults Information & Technology WorkshopFor information call (08) 9226 7100
21 -27 AUGUST 2016
HEARING BUS DAY - Friday 26th August Free Hearing Checks at the following locations:
Australian HearingBunbury - Paisley Square 9.30am-5pmFor information call (08) 9226 7100
Cockburn - Outside Cockburn Integrated Health & Community Facility11 Wentworth Parade Success, 10am-3pm
Karratha - West Pilbara GP Super Clinic66 Welcome Road 9am-4pm
Roebourne - Roebourne CafeNorth West Coastal Highway 9am-4pmFor information call (08) 9387 9888
ARRRRRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG B Understanding Inclusion Support
HHEE AA RR II NN GG AAWWAA RR EE NN EE SS SS WW EE EE KK
HE A R I N G AWA R E N E S S W E E K
Hearing Awareness Week 2016 activities are for people affected with hearing impairment and/or loss, their family, friends and anyone interested
in learning more about hearing impairment and hearing health.
Ear Science Institute AustraliaTuesday 23rd August 10am-1pmFree Hearing Checks through Lions Hearing 1 Salvado Rd, Subiaco (outside Ear Science Institute)For information call 1800 054 667
Wednesday 24th AugustSteps to Better Hearing (Lecture) 10am-12pmHosted by Lions Hearingat Ear Science Institute Australia Board Room1 Salvado Road, SubiacoTo reserve your spot please call 1800 054 667
Cochlear Implant Support Evening 6pm-8pmat Ear Science Institute Australia Board Room1 Salvado Road, SubiacoTo reserve your spot please call 1300 847 080
Earbus Foundation of WAWednesday 24th AugustYouth Centre on Lawson St (Sth Hedland)For information call (08) 9388 7485
WA Deaf SocietyThursday 25th August 1.30pm-4.30pm Deafness Awareness Trainingat WA Deaf Society, Deaf Community Centre46/5 Aberdeen St, East PerthFor information call (08) 9441 2677
SUNDAY 21 AUGUST - SATURDAY 27 AUGUSTSTSUN
Hearing Awareness Week 2016
Hearing matters Understanding and support promotes inclusionHearing is precious and fragile, and it is something many of us take for granted because we have never had problems with it.
Sunday August 21 is the start of this year’s Hearing Awareness Week, which aims to educate Australians about the causes of hearing loss – namely loud noise – and how to protect your hearing.
One in six Australians are hearing impaired, deaf or have an ear disorder.
There are three main types of hearing loss:
• Conductive hearing loss, where sounds are unable to pass from the outer ear to the inner ear often as a result of blockage such as ear wax, a perforated ear drum or a disorder of the hearing bones.
• Sensorineural hearing loss, which is damage of either the sensitive hair cells inside the cochlea or the auditory nerve. This could occur naturally through ageing or be the result of an injury.
• Mixed hearing loss, as it is possible to suff er both types of hearing loss at the same time.
If you think you or your child may have hearing problems, visit your GP who will be able to check for a build-up of earwax, perforated eardrum or refer you to an audiologist (hearing specialist) if required.
Source: www.hearingawarenessweek.org.au.
From birth Zachary Nuich and his twin brother Jacob have needed to wear hearing aids after being diagnosed with hearing loss in both ears.
From an early age Zac attended playgroup sessions at Telethon Speech & Hearing.
This program off ered support, resources and information for Zac and his family to navigate their way through understanding and supporting Zac with his hearing loss – a path that wasn’t always easy.
“It was a major task keeping hearing aids on two fi ve-year-olds,” mother Deborah Nuich said.
In July 2014 Zac was fi tted with a cochlear implant. When asked what the best thing about his cochlear implant was, Zac said he could swim in a pool and hear now, because it was waterproof.
Zac’s hearing loss has not stopped him from pursuing his work and social interests. He has an extreme interest in Tae Kwon Do and has achieved his black belt.
In his fi nal year of school he completed work experience with Martin Cuthbert Landscapes.
August 21-27
This year, Zac commenced his fi rst year of a horticulture apprenticeship with Martin Cuthbert Landscapes and is studying Parks and Gardens at Murdoch TAFE.
“Being in the workplace and going to TAFE is great, because I’m meeting new people,” he said.
“I started the year sharing lifts to TAFE with a work friend.
“Now I’ve got my driver’s licence I’ve been able to return the favour.”
As a recipient of the Quadrant Energy
and Deafness Council WA Scholarship for 2015, Zac has been able to use the funds in 2016 to purchase equipment to help him with his hearing in varied learning and social environments, giving him more confi dence and independence.
“Since commencing with us we have watched Zac fl ourish from a school boy into a young man, which is very rewarding for all members of our team,” Martin Cuthbert Landscapes Manager Liz Cuthbert said.
Zachary Nuich (fourth from right) with his fellow Martin Cuthbert Landscapes staff .
Hearing Awareness Week Expo
Excessive noise main hearing loss cause
This year for the fi rst time, as part of Hearing Awareness Week, the Deafness Council will be hosting a Hearing Awareness Week Expo.
The Hearing Awareness Week Expo will be held on Saturday August 27 at the Bendat Parent and Community Centre at 36 Dodd Street in Wembley from 10am to 3pm.
The Expo is an event for individuals, families,
community groups, organisations and businesses that have an interest in supporting the needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing in WA.
The Expo will showcase the services, information and resources available for deaf and hard of hearing people, as well as incorporate food, stalls and entertainment for the whole family.
According to Access Economics, the most signifi cant cause of hearing loss in Australia, accounting for around 37 per cent of all cases, is exposure to excessive noise.
Other causes include illness, accidents, exposure to certain drugs and chemicals, or as part of the normal ageing process.
Damage as a result of noise exposure is cumulative and harms the delicate hearing mechanism within the inner ear.
Listening to a portable music player at 94 decibels (dB) for one hour can start to cause damage while sounds over 110 dB such as a jet plane or gunfi re can cause damage in just one minute.
The level of noise at a nightclub, at 100 dB, can be as loud or louder than a chainsaw and can damage hearing after just 15 minutes of exposure.
Degrees of hearing lossThe severity of hearing loss is measured in terms of how it impacts a person’s everyday life.
A loss of 21 to 45 dB is
considered mild. With this level of loss you may have some diffi culty hearing soft speech and conversations, but you are capable of hearing voices clearly in quiet situations.
A moderate loss of 46 to 65 dB means conversational speech is hard to hear, more so when background noise is present.
A loss of 66 to 90 dB is severe with normal conversational speech inaudible but able to be assisted by a hearing device. The clarity of speech heard is likely to be signifi cantly aff ected.
Anything greater than a loss of 91 dB is known as profound hearing loss and there is a high level of inconsistency in the benefi t of a hearing device. Some people may be able to understand clear speech when face-to-face and in places with good auditory conditions while wearing a device, but others may fi nd it impossible.
Hearing loss and ageIn Australia, between nine and 12 children per 10,000 births will be born with a moderate
EDITOR Louise Allan | WRITERS Kaitlin Shawcross and Chloe VellingaSUBEDITOR Brad Davis | DESIGN Cale ArnoldADVERTISING Garry Llewellyn, 9482 3037
or greater hearing loss in both ears and another 23 will acquire a hearing impairment that requires hearing aids by the age of 17.
Incidences of hearing loss increase as we get older as it’s part of the natural ageing process. Over half the population aged between 60 and 70 live with hearing loss, which increases to more than 70 per cent of those aged over the age of 70 and 80 per cent of those over the age of 80.
Post-hearing testAfter an initial hearing test, it is recommended to book a full hearing assessment.
An audiologist will look at the extent of your hearing loss and work with you to fi nd the best strategy to deal with it.
A hearing aid may be required, but the audiologist will discuss other methods of dealing with hearing loss.
2 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 THE WEST AUSTRALIAN THE WEST AUSTRALIAN FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 • 3
HEARING AWARENESS EXPO & FAMILY FUN DAY
Saturday 27th August 10am - 3pm at Bendat Community Centre,
36 Dodd Street Wembley
A fun and informative day for individuals, families and businesses!
For information call (08) 9387 9888
HHHHEEEAAAAARRRRRIIINNNNGGGG
HEARING
AAAAAAAAWWWWWWWAARREENNEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
A
WARENESS
WWWWWWWEEEEKK
WEEK
www.deafnesscouncilwa.org.au Understanding Inclusion Support
Telethon Speech & HearingSunday 21st August 3pm Power of Speech AwardsBy invitation only.For information call (08) 9387 9888
School of Special Education Needs SensoryMonday 22nd August 10am Hearing Awareness Week Launch & Presentation of the Dr Harry Blackmore AwardFor information call (08) 9387 9856
Australian HearingTuesday 23rd August 12pm-1pm & 5.30pm-6.30pmYoung Adults Information & Technology WorkshopFor information call (08) 9226 7100
21 -27 AUGUST 2016
HEARING BUS DAY - Friday 26th August Free Hearing Checks at the following locations:
Australian HearingBunbury - Paisley Square 9.30am-5pmFor information call (08) 9226 7100
Cockburn - Outside Cockburn Integrated Health & Community Facility11 Wentworth Parade Success, 10am-3pm
Karratha - West Pilbara GP Super Clinic66 Welcome Road 9am-4pm
Roebourne - Roebourne CafeNorth West Coastal Highway 9am-4pmFor information call (08) 9387 9888
ARRRRRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGGGG B Understanding Inclusion Support
HHEE AA RR II NN GG AAWWAA RR EE NN EE SS SS WW EE EE KK
HE A R I N G AWA R E N E S S W E E K
Hearing Awareness Week 2016 activities are for people affected with hearing impairment and/or loss, their family, friends and anyone interested
in learning more about hearing impairment and hearing health.
Ear Science Institute AustraliaTuesday 23rd August 10am-1pmFree Hearing Checks through Lions Hearing 1 Salvado Rd, Subiaco (outside Ear Science Institute)For information call 1800 054 667
Wednesday 24th AugustSteps to Better Hearing (Lecture) 10am-12pmHosted by Lions Hearingat Ear Science Institute Australia Board Room1 Salvado Road, SubiacoTo reserve your spot please call 1800 054 667
Cochlear Implant Support Evening 6pm-8pmat Ear Science Institute Australia Board Room1 Salvado Road, SubiacoTo reserve your spot please call 1300 847 080
Earbus Foundation of WAWednesday 24th AugustYouth Centre on Lawson St (Sth Hedland)For information call (08) 9388 7485
WA Deaf SocietyThursday 25th August 1.30pm-4.30pm Deafness Awareness Trainingat WA Deaf Society, Deaf Community Centre46/5 Aberdeen St, East PerthFor information call (08) 9441 2677
SUNDAY 21 AUGUST - SATURDAY 27 AUGUSTSTSUN
Hearing Awareness Week 2016
Hearing matters Understanding and support promotes inclusionHearing is precious and fragile, and it is something many of us take for granted because we have never had problems with it.
Sunday August 21 is the start of this year’s Hearing Awareness Week, which aims to educate Australians about the causes of hearing loss – namely loud noise – and how to protect your hearing.
One in six Australians are hearing impaired, deaf or have an ear disorder.
There are three main types of hearing loss:
• Conductive hearing loss, where sounds are unable to pass from the outer ear to the inner ear often as a result of blockage such as ear wax, a perforated ear drum or a disorder of the hearing bones.
• Sensorineural hearing loss, which is damage of either the sensitive hair cells inside the cochlea or the auditory nerve. This could occur naturally through ageing or be the result of an injury.
• Mixed hearing loss, as it is possible to suff er both types of hearing loss at the same time.
If you think you or your child may have hearing problems, visit your GP who will be able to check for a build-up of earwax, perforated eardrum or refer you to an audiologist (hearing specialist) if required.
Source: www.hearingawarenessweek.org.au.
From birth Zachary Nuich and his twin brother Jacob have needed to wear hearing aids after being diagnosed with hearing loss in both ears.
From an early age Zac attended playgroup sessions at Telethon Speech & Hearing.
This program off ered support, resources and information for Zac and his family to navigate their way through understanding and supporting Zac with his hearing loss – a path that wasn’t always easy.
“It was a major task keeping hearing aids on two fi ve-year-olds,” mother Deborah Nuich said.
In July 2014 Zac was fi tted with a cochlear implant. When asked what the best thing about his cochlear implant was, Zac said he could swim in a pool and hear now, because it was waterproof.
Zac’s hearing loss has not stopped him from pursuing his work and social interests. He has an extreme interest in Tae Kwon Do and has achieved his black belt.
In his fi nal year of school he completed work experience with Martin Cuthbert Landscapes.
August 21-27
This year, Zac commenced his fi rst year of a horticulture apprenticeship with Martin Cuthbert Landscapes and is studying Parks and Gardens at Murdoch TAFE.
“Being in the workplace and going to TAFE is great, because I’m meeting new people,” he said.
“I started the year sharing lifts to TAFE with a work friend.
“Now I’ve got my driver’s licence I’ve been able to return the favour.”
As a recipient of the Quadrant Energy
and Deafness Council WA Scholarship for 2015, Zac has been able to use the funds in 2016 to purchase equipment to help him with his hearing in varied learning and social environments, giving him more confi dence and independence.
“Since commencing with us we have watched Zac fl ourish from a school boy into a young man, which is very rewarding for all members of our team,” Martin Cuthbert Landscapes Manager Liz Cuthbert said.
Zachary Nuich (fourth from right) with his fellow Martin Cuthbert Landscapes staff .
Hearing Awareness Week Expo
Excessive noise main hearing loss cause
This year for the fi rst time, as part of Hearing Awareness Week, the Deafness Council will be hosting a Hearing Awareness Week Expo.
The Hearing Awareness Week Expo will be held on Saturday August 27 at the Bendat Parent and Community Centre at 36 Dodd Street in Wembley from 10am to 3pm.
The Expo is an event for individuals, families,
community groups, organisations and businesses that have an interest in supporting the needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing in WA.
The Expo will showcase the services, information and resources available for deaf and hard of hearing people, as well as incorporate food, stalls and entertainment for the whole family.
According to Access Economics, the most signifi cant cause of hearing loss in Australia, accounting for around 37 per cent of all cases, is exposure to excessive noise.
Other causes include illness, accidents, exposure to certain drugs and chemicals, or as part of the normal ageing process.
Damage as a result of noise exposure is cumulative and harms the delicate hearing mechanism within the inner ear.
Listening to a portable music player at 94 decibels (dB) for one hour can start to cause damage while sounds over 110 dB such as a jet plane or gunfi re can cause damage in just one minute.
The level of noise at a nightclub, at 100 dB, can be as loud or louder than a chainsaw and can damage hearing after just 15 minutes of exposure.
Degrees of hearing lossThe severity of hearing loss is measured in terms of how it impacts a person’s everyday life.
A loss of 21 to 45 dB is
considered mild. With this level of loss you may have some diffi culty hearing soft speech and conversations, but you are capable of hearing voices clearly in quiet situations.
A moderate loss of 46 to 65 dB means conversational speech is hard to hear, more so when background noise is present.
A loss of 66 to 90 dB is severe with normal conversational speech inaudible but able to be assisted by a hearing device. The clarity of speech heard is likely to be signifi cantly aff ected.
Anything greater than a loss of 91 dB is known as profound hearing loss and there is a high level of inconsistency in the benefi t of a hearing device. Some people may be able to understand clear speech when face-to-face and in places with good auditory conditions while wearing a device, but others may fi nd it impossible.
Hearing loss and ageIn Australia, between nine and 12 children per 10,000 births will be born with a moderate
EDITOR Louise Allan | WRITERS Kaitlin Shawcross and Chloe VellingaSUBEDITOR Brad Davis | DESIGN Cale ArnoldADVERTISING Garry Llewellyn, 9482 3037
or greater hearing loss in both ears and another 23 will acquire a hearing impairment that requires hearing aids by the age of 17.
Incidences of hearing loss increase as we get older as it’s part of the natural ageing process. Over half the population aged between 60 and 70 live with hearing loss, which increases to more than 70 per cent of those aged over the age of 70 and 80 per cent of those over the age of 80.
Post-hearing testAfter an initial hearing test, it is recommended to book a full hearing assessment.
An audiologist will look at the extent of your hearing loss and work with you to fi nd the best strategy to deal with it.
A hearing aid may be required, but the audiologist will discuss other methods of dealing with hearing loss.
We need participants for an important digital hearing aid technology
research program. There’s no cost or obligation to participate! If you are
experiencing increased hearing loss we would like your help to evaluate a new,
paradigm-shifting line of digital hearing aids that could be the solution to your
diffi culties. Call us today to see if you qualify for
this fi eld test.
The research includes the Oticon Opn™, the
world’s fi rst internet connected hearing aid that
is already proving to deliver 30% better speech
recognition, 20% less listening effort and 20%
better recall, thanks to breakthrough BrainHearing™ technology.^ Potential
candidates will be given a Free* hearing test to determine their candidacy.
Western Hearing Services has
helped thousands
of Western
Australians
with hearing
diffi culties. As part
of our 30 years celebration, we
are offering you the opportunity to
evaluate our latest, most advanced
hearing aid technology for 30 days.
Don’t miss out. The candidate selection
process for this research period ends August 31st.
WANTED30 PEOPLE WITH HEARING LOSS
*Free hearing check available to adults over 26 only. Some conditions may apply. Pleases see clinic for details. ^Compared to Alta2. Individual benefi t may vary depending on prescription. WHS_WA_WTD
Call 1800 489 927
or visit westernhearing.com.au
NEW RELEASE: Oticon OpnTM
4 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 THE WEST AUSTRALIAN
Hearing Awareness Week 2016 August 21-27
The ageing earAndre Wedekind M.Aud., M.Clin.Aud., BHSc (Physio) and Anne Gardner Post Dip. Aud., B.S
People with age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) often report that people sound like they are mumbling or are unclear. There are several mechanisms that contribute to this phenomena.
One factor is the loss of sensory hair cells and supporting structures within the snail-shaped hearing nerve, the cochlea. In addition, degenerative changes in the auditory pathways up to and including the brain impact on how people hear. Lack of clarity and an inability to hear in competing noise leads to frustration and social withdrawal.
Age-related hearing decline can be measured from the age of 30, as illustrated. High frequency hearing, which impacts on clarity, is aff ected fi rst and then with ageing the lower frequencies become involved.
Presbycusis can be exacerbated by several factors such as noise exposure, cardiovascular disease, infl ammations, genetics, pollutants and medications. Presbycusis is permanent and progressive and is best addressed with early intervention to prevent social isolation, improve quality of life, harness optimal neural plasticity and reduce the risk of deprivation in central auditory structures.
Medical Audiology Services specialises in hearing healthcare needs such as hearing aids, hearing rehabilitation, hearing implants, tinnitus management, dizziness and balance disorders.
Medical Audiology Services was established in 1987 by ear, nose and throat specialists to provide high-quality, independent and ethical audiology services.
250
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
500 1000Frequency (Hz)
Hear
ing l
evel
(dB)
(ANS
I, 199
6)
2000 4000 8000
20-29 Years
30-39 Years
40-49 Years
50-59 Years60-69 Years
70-79 Years
Groundbreaking new hearing technologyNot being able to hear correctly can have a profound impact on one’s life, aff ecting their social life, emotional wellbeing, language and cognitive abilities.
Western Hearing Services has helped thousands of Western Australians with hearing diffi culties over the past 29 years. The team off ers a range of hearing healthcare services, including adult hearing tests, pensioner and veteran government-subsidised hearing tests, patient hearing assessments, ear health examinations and hearing aids repairs and maintenance.
Western Hearing Services’ hearing aids range includes the new Oticon Opn™.
Off ering new, groundbreaking technology, the Oticon Opn™ is the fi rst hearing aid that connects to and interacts with the internet, features better sound quality with less distortion and processes sounds 50 times faster than the Alta2 Pro.
Western Hearing Services
Clinician Diane Hallworth said the Oticon Opn™ had immediately provided a paradigm shift in hearing care.
“Previous technologies would focus on amplifying speech at the front and to the side of the wearer but suppress background sounds,” she said.
“This means conversations occurring from a distance or behind the wearer may not be heard eff ectively and they miss out on vital information and struggle to keep up with the conversation.”
The Oticon Opn™ analyses the sounds environment coming in from 360 degrees 100 times per second, giving 30 per cent improved speech
understanding and 20 per cent less listening fatigue compared with other previous devices, such as the Alta2 Pro.
“Experienced clients who have the devices have said they are overwhelmed by the benefi t the devices give them,” Ms Hallworth said.
“They have heard sounds they haven’t heard in years, music is clearer and more natural and [it has] given them their life back.”
For more information about the Oticon Opn™ or other hearing devices, contact one of Western Hearing Services’ 10 metropolitan clinics on 1800 345 924 or visit www.westernhearing.com.au.
Mean audiogram of six groups of 15 listeners (n = ears). Source: American National Standards Institute (1996). Specifi cation for audiometers (ANSI S3.6-1996). New York.
