Hearing HQ Apr15 by Hearing HQ Magazine

Apr - Jul 15

hearing

For all your hearing options

BREAKTHROUGH

SMARTPHONE APP Make relay calls on the run

Building a business from hearing loss Hybrid hearing aid & implant

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS Clean your ears out!

Experts share tips to tackle earwax plus more practical advice

Cochlear implants for MKR's Emilie Biggar?

Hearing aids help

BILLY CONNOLLY keep the laughs rolling

GET BACK WHAT YOU’VE BEEN MISSING If you are struggling with high-frequency hearing loss, even the most powerful hearing aids may not be an effective solution. Cochlear ™ Hybrid™ Hearing is a unique combination of two proven technologies designed to restore your highfrequency hearing while enhancing your low-frequency hearing - all in one device. The fully integrated technology of the Nucleus® 6 Hybrid System gives you a more complete hearing experience so you can hear better in noisy environments, understand speech more clearly and enjoy the music you love.

COCHLEAR

HYBRID HEARING

“ T H I S E X P E R I E N C E H A S B E E N M I R A C U LO U S A N D L I F E - C H A N G I N G ”. Ellen – Nucleus 6 Hybrid recipient

Talk to your hearing healthcare professional to learn more about Cochlear Hybrid Hearing or visit cochlear.com/au.

Don't miss out on all the sounds of life Nucleus® 6 Hybrid™ System

For Ellen DeVoss, it was the sound of birds singing after her Cochlear™ Nucleus® 6 Hybrid™ System was switched on that reinforced just what she had been missing out on. “I thought, Oh my gosh, these are sounds I have not heard in years! And clear. Crystal clear clarity,” says Ellen. Prior to receiving the Hybrid System, Ellen admits that life was a challenge. She gradually noticed her hearing starting to decline over some years, and even with the best hearing aids and all the gadgets, she says she was not hearing. “Having a hearing loss did a terrible number on my self-esteem. It just started to take who I was away,” she says. “When the telephone rang I asked my husband to speak on my behalf; going to the movies and going out to restaurants, he had to be my interpreter. I could not understand my grandkids speaking. It was very embarrassing for me.” Then her surgeon recommended the Nucleus 6 Hybrid System. It was a life-changing moment for Ellen.

A complete hearing experience

“The quality of hearing just catapults you into a whole different realm,” says Ellen. “It’s totally different than hearing aids. Being able to hear birds chirping, being able to understand my grandkids is just priceless. It is like having normal hearing.” Ellen’s advice to others thinking about the Cochlear Hybrid System as a solution to overcome their high-frequency hearing loss is clear. “There is hope. There are answers. Go for it – you have everything to gain.”

“The Hybrid Hearing solution from Cochlear has not only replaced a sense but has given me my life back” Ellen

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

editorial advisory board Prof William Gibson AM Head of ENT Unit, University of Sydney Prof Gibson holds the Chair of Otolaryngology at The University of Sydney. He is Director of Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre and the author of 185 texts and scientific articles. His AM was received in recognition of his services to medicine.

Assoc Prof Robert Cowan, CEO HEARing Cooperative Research Centre Principal Research Fellow of Melbourne University, A/Prof Cowan has researched and published extensively in the fields of audiology, cochlear implants, sensory devices and biomedical management. He holds the '06 Denis Byrne Memorial Orator Award.

Sharan Westcott Clinical Manager, SCIC

Former principal audiologist for Australian Hearing, Sharan Westcott has provided audiology services to children and adults for more than 40 years and now coordinates a team of surgeons, audiologists, speech pathologists and social workers at SCIC.

Adjunct Prof Harvey Dillon Director of Research, NAL

Dr Dillon has researched many aspects of hearing aids, effectiveness of rehabilitation, auditory processing disorders and methods for preventing hearing loss. He has designed hearing aids, authored over 160 articles and his text on hearing aids is used worldwide.

Alex Varley, Chief Executive Media Access Australia

MAA focuses on identifying practical, realworld solutions for people with disabilities to access audiovisual content to empower people to be independent. They provide advice to government, industry, educators and individuals.

Dr Neville Lockhart

After 45 years of profound deafness Dr Lockhart received a cochlear implant in 2005. His involvement in the cochlear implant support group CICADA and his technology background (retired senior CSIRO scientist) led him to become editor of CICADA Magazine (now Hearing HQ).

contents contents FEATURES

BILLY CONNOLLY Losing his hearing may have helped save his life, reveals the Scottish comic's wife Pamela Stephenson Connolly.

HYBRID ADVANCES

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

New technology combining the best hearing aid features with cochlear implant innovations is transforming lives.

TV show My Kitchen Rules' first deaf contestant Emilie Biggar weighs up the pros and cons of cochlear implants.

Cover image: Tony Lyon

REGULARS

NEWSBITES

ASK THE EXPERTS

Research, innovations and things you need to know.

Professional advice on reader questions and concerns.

REAL PEOPLE REAL STORIES Building a business based on hearing loss

ALL ABOUTâ&#x20AC;Ś

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

HERE TO HELP

Making phone calls with your smartphone using the new NRS app.

Information at your fingertips. Organisations providing advice and support.

Olivia Andersen, Founder/Director Hear for You

Profoundly deaf from birth, Olivia Andersen started Hear For You, a not-for-profit organisation to help young deaf people achieve their life dreams. The birth of her first child prompted her decision to have a cochlear implant.

Published by The Tangello Group Pty Ltd Publisher Lucinda Mitchell lucinda@tangello.com.au Editor Rebecca Barker editor@hearingHQ.com.au Contributors Greg Lawrence, Joanne Bainbridge Experts Emma Scanlan, Roberta Marino, Jawan Sayed, Sarah McCullough Advertising Sales Executive Julia Turner jturner@hearingHQ.com.au 0414 525 516 Magazine Distribution distribution@hearingHQ.com.au Printed by Offset Alpine 4

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

SUBSCRIBE Personal orders: for just $22 each year, receive 3 issues Multiple copies - Small: $30/year for 3 issues (5 copies of each issue) Multiple copies - Large: $50/year for 3 issues (45 copies of each issue) For all orders you can subscribe - online at www.hearingHQ.com.au - post the form on page 32 to the address below - email subscriptions@hearingHQ.com.au Hearing HQ, PO Box 1054, Lane Cove NSW 1595

HQ hearing

The Editorial Advisory Board provides guidance and expertise on a voluntary basis. They may not review every article and make no warranty as to the scientific accuracy of the magazine. They are not responsible for any errors published and do not endorse advertised products. If you have any questions about editorial content, please direct them to editor@hearingHQ.com. au. If you have questions about product suitability for your specific needs, we recommend you consult an audiologist or doctor. Any person with health issues or medical concerns should first take advice from a health professional.

The

NRS app a smart way to make relay calls

• a convenient new way to access NRS call options • extra call-support functions • both apple and android • a world first for the NRS!

find out more: www.relayservice.gov.au 11/14

A phone solution for people who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

letter

from the publisher I am delighted to welcome Rebecca Barker on board as the new Editor of Hearing HQ. Rebecca is a talented editor and journalist who brings a wealth of experience across a very broad range of publications and topics. I have worked with Rebecca on other publications over the years and know Hearing HQ is in very safe hands. She has a unique ability to make complex concepts and technical information both clear and interesting. So, I hand over the editorial reins, although you can rest assured, as the founder and Publisher of the magazine, I will remain intimately involved in the editorial direction and will work closely with Rebecca to ensure we are delivering exactly what you want from Hearing HQ.

Lucinda Mitchell Publisher To have your say contact: editor@HearingHQ.com.au Hearing HQ Magazine is published by The Tangello Group Pty Limited 'The Tangello Group' (ABN 38 155 438 574) PO Box 1054, Lane Cove NSW 1595 and is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or part, without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved in material accepted for publication unless specified otherwise. All letters and other material forwarded to the magazine will be assumed intended for publication unless clearly labelled “not for publication”. Text, photographs and illustrations received in hard copy must be accompanied by a self-addressed envelope stamped to the appropriate value (including registered or certified mail if required) if return required. The Tangello Group does not accept responsibility for damage to, or loss of, submitted material. Opinions expressed in Hearing HQ Magazine are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of The Tangello Group. No responsibility is accepted for unsolicited material. No liability is accepted by the publisher, the authors or members of the editorial advisory board for any information contained herein. All endeavours are made to ensure accuracy and veracity of all content and advice herein but neither Hearing HQ Magazine, its publisher, contributors or editorial advisory board members is responsible for damage or harm, of whatever description, resulting from persons undertaking any advice or purchasing any products mentioned or advertised in Hearing HQ Magazine or its website.

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

newsbi newsbite Professor Graeme Clark AC FAA has become the first Australian to receive the prestigious 2015 Russ Prize for bioengineering that significantly improves the human condition. The Russ Prize recognises engineering achievements that have had an outstanding impact on society and have contributed to the advancement of the human condition through widespread use. Clark shares the 2015 prize with Ingeborg Hochmair, Professor Erwin Hochmair, Professor Blake Wilson, and Professor Emeritus Michael Merzenich, all recognised for their remarkable bioengineering accomplishments in the development of cochlear implants.

Phase I study for drug to treat tinnitus

Autifony Therapeutics Limited (Autifony), which is pioneering the development of novel pharmaceutical treatments for hearing disorders, has announced the initiation of a Phase IIa study in tinnitus subjects with its compound AUT00063. The study will explore the potential of AUT00063 to reduce the symptoms of tinnitus, which is an area of significant unmet medical need. The study will be conducted in 12 key hospital sites across the UK and focus, in particular, on tinnitus associated with hearing loss following noise exposure or ageing. Subjects will undergo four weeks of once daily dosing. AUT00063 is also in development for the treatment of age-related hearing loss and a US Phase IIa clinical trial for this starts soon. Dr Charles Large, CEO of Autifony, commented: “There are no drugs yet approved for the treatment of tinnitus, and there is a considerable need to treat this surprisingly common and very disturbing condition. Tinnitus seriously impacts quality of life for up to 1 per cent of people, disrupting sleep and concentration, as well as affecting their hearing and emotional state.”

Source: http://www.autifony.com/ autifony-news.asp

ites s

Cochlear Implants BOOST MOOD & THINKING Cochlear implants may not only boost hearing in seniors with severe hearing loss, a new study suggests they might also enhance their emotional state and thinking abilities. The study, published in the journal JAMA OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery in March this year, included 94 people, aged 65 to 85, who were assessed before an implant and then six and 12 months after receiving it. The research team led by Dr Isabelle Mosnier, of Assistance PubliqueHopitaux de Paris, found that in addition to enhanced hearing, the number of patients who were free of depression rose from 59 per cent before receiving a cochlear implant to 76 per cent one year after acquiring the device. Six months after participants received their implants, there were also improvements in their average scores in all areas of thinking (cognitive) abilities. More than 80 per cent of those with the lowest cognitive scores before having surgery for a cochlear implant showed improvement one year after implantation. "Our study demonstrates that hearing rehabilitation using cochlear implants in the elderly is associated with improvements in impaired cognitive function," the researchers wrote. The study was funded by Advanced Bionics AG, Cochlear France, Vibrant Medel Hearing Technology and Oticon Medical/Neurelec.

LET'S HOPE VENUES COMPLY!

The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre (HEARing CRC) has embarked on a pilot study to determine how live music venues in Australia can be more “hearing friendly”. The study aims to come up with practical solutions to help live music venues reduce noise exposure - so musicians, patrons, and venue staff can avoid acquiring noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus. HEARing CRC researcher Dr Elizabeth Beach explained, “The data will be analysed, the main noise-exposure risks identified, and in consultation with venue owners, a practical noise-reduction package will be developed that can be easily implemented in venues across Australia.” “We don’t know exactly what the HEARsmart noise-reduction package will entail, but some of the likely measures are recommendations on venue modifications to reduce reverberation, providing quieter, chill out spaces for patrons to take a break, or working with the sound engineers to produce sound at a safer level, while still being enjoyable for patrons.”

Congratulations to our six winners who have received their Sennheiser RS180 digital wireless headphones. Here are their winning reasons, 'Why doing something about your hearing is so important'.

Huon S, TAS: "Doing something about your hearing is very important, my hearing aids help me hear my teachers at school, so I can learn like everyone else." Paul O, VIC: "For 35 years I have not socialised, listened to music or gone to the pictures. Now with my 'cochlear' I can learn to live again." James W, ACT: "Doing something about my hearing has allowed me to talk with my two beautiful children and hear them laugh. It is such a wonderful sound." Simon C, VIC: "To save a marriage I can't hear baby breathing in cot at night. I gently lay hand on baby to check. Baby wakes. Wife wants a divorce." Henry G, NSW: "Meetings annoy, alarms don't work, Folk seem to reckon that I'm a jerk. Sounds all fuzzy; what the heck Better go get a hearing check." Colin T, SA: "Life is about relationships, Life is talking and listening, Life is sharing and listening, Life is family - listening to their stories."

Down!

Turn it

Latest statistics from the World Health Organisation reported that more than a billion young people are at risk of hearing loss because they are listening to loud music. Their data showed that up to 50 per cent of middle to high income nations aged 12 to 35 were exposed to dangerous levels of sound via their headphones or at public venues. It has also been revealed that 360 million people have already suffered moderate to severe hearing loss. As teens have access to mobile phones 24/7 they can listen to music for longer periods of time than previous generations. Parents need to keep watch on children who are always plugging in. For when you aren’t there you can install a decibel meter app on their phone like Sound Meter (Android) or TooLoud (Apple). Source: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs300/en/

newsbites newsbites ENSURE YOUR NEXT HOTEL CAN ACCOMMODATE YOUR COMMUNICATION NEEDS

The Sofitel Melbourne On Collins

New antibiotic could eliminate the risk of hearing loss For some people, the treatment with massive doses of antibiotics can be the difference between life and death. However use of aminoglycosides, a widely used broad-spectrum antibiotic, also results in partial or complete hearing loss for up to 50 per cent of all patients who are treated. Now, thanks to the researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine, there is a promising alternative in the form of a modified version of an aminoglycoside which is in development. Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the results of a study in mice have shown that the commonly used antibiotic can be modified to work effectively without the risk of causing deafness or the other common side effect of kidney damage. The newly patented antibiotic, N1MS, which is derived from a type of aminoglycoside, cured urinary tract infection in mice as effectively as the parent antibiotic, but did not cause deafness. “Our goal is to replace the existing aminoglycosides with ones that aren’t toxic” said Anthony Ricci PhD, professor of otolaryngologyhead and neck surgery and co-senior author of the study. The researchers hope to test versions of the modified antibiotic in humans as soon as possible. Source: Journal of Clinical Investigation Volume 125, Issue 2 (February 2, 2015) 2015;125(2):583–592. doi:10.1172/JCI77424.

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

If you're looking for hotels which specifically provide hearing equipment for the deaf or hearing impaired then try searching the website, Hotels.com. You can filter your search results and display only hotels that can accommodate your specific accessibility needs. Simply enter your destination and the dates you plan to travel on the Home page. Click 'search' then when the hotel search results page opens you can select your preferences in the 'Accessibilities Feature' box in the lefthand column.

The otoscope

reinvented

Remember the days when all your phone did was make phone calls? Those days are long gone - and now you can even turn your smartphone into a medical device in the time it takes to clip on an attachment. Cellscope has created an otosctope which simply clicks onto a smartphone allowing those living in remote areas or who are less mobile to simply take a video, send it to a doctor and get advice without ever leaving home. And it enables healthcare specialists to capture images of the ear's tympanic membrane to show patients, enabling them to understand their own health. The US based company is currently developing its strategy for markets around the world. To find out more about this handy device visit www.cellscope.com.

Helping kids born without a cochlea If you are born without a cochlea currently the only option to gain hearing is with an Auditory Brainstem Implant (ABI). The ABI delivers electrical stimulation directly to the neurons on the brainstem that the cochlear nerve would normally stimulate. In the US, the ABI is approved for patients 12 years or older however scientists believe an ABI would be more effective in younger children, when their brains are more adaptable. While surgeons outside the US have been doing ABI surgeries in children for more than 10 years, according to the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California, there has never been any formal safety or feasibility study under regulatory oversight. Keck School of Medicine is conducting a clinical trial backed by the US National Institutes of Health aimed at proving that the surgery is safe in young children and allowing researchers to study how the brain develops over time and how it learns to hear sound and develop speech. “Initial activation of the ABI is like a newborn entering the world and hearing for the first time, which means these children will need time to learn to interpret what they are sensing through the device as ‘sound’,” says audiologist Laurie Eisenberg PhD, a Keck otolaryngology professor and study co-leader. “We are hopeful that, with intensive training and family support, some of these children may eventually be able to communicate on the phone,” says Eisenberg. Source: http://keck.usc.edu/en/About/Administrative_Offices/Office_of_Public_Relations_and_Marketing/ News/Detail/2015__pr_marketing__spring__hearing_experts_break_sound_barrier_for_children_021115

NEW '3T' MRI-PROOF COCHLEAR IMPLANT Med-El has released its new Synchrony cochlear implant, the world's first cochlear implant approved for 3.0 T MRI without the need for magnet removal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the body's organs and tissues. The MRI machine is categorised by the Tesla (T) level, the unit of measurement quantifying the strength of the magnetic field. The greater the magnetic field the more detailed the image generated. During an MRI, the Med-El Synchrony’s magnet is able to rotate freely enabling it to align with the magnetic field of the MRI machine. It is this technology advancement which has enabled it to be used in the more powerful machines.

Measles vaccines to prevent hearing loss Kenneth Brookler MD, a Mayo Clinic neurotologist and researcher studying the connection between measles and hearing loss later in life says it is highly preventable with the use of vaccines. "The downstream effect of measles can be having insidious hearing loss in the 20s and 30s, having surgeries and then digressing to a point to where hearing aids may not work to the level they need a cochlear implant…all this could be prevented with timely vaccinations in childhood," says Brookler. Source: http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/ discussion/expert-alert-measles-and-hearingloss/

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STAND UP and be heard

Main picture: Featureflash / Dreamstime.com

Personal auditory loss and a series of life-threatening events prompted comedian Billy Connolly to stand up for people with hearing issues at work, writes Rebecca Barker.

Accepting you need help for hearing difficulties can take time and courage – as comedian Billy Connolly has recently discovered. During 50 years of screen and stand-up performances, the Scottish wit has captivated audiences across the world with his wandering stories and razor-sharp reactions to hecklers in the audience. His career has counted on being able to hear well. So when he was shockingly diagnosed with prostate cancer and Parkinson's Disease in the same week two years ago, it was a surprise when his wife Pamela Stephenson Connolly revealed hearing problems led to the discovery of these serious health issues. “It was the hearing loss that worried me the most at that early stage,” Connolly’s partner of 25 years, actress-turnedpsychologist Pamela told the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper. “He was a nightmare with me saying, ‘Billy you’ve got to get a check-up and him saying, ‘Get off my back’. And of course he was on tour a lot of the time,” she says. “Finally he had some time off and I dragged him kicking and screaming to the doctor,” recalls the New Zealand-born actress. “He had all these diagnoses in one go because he’d ignored the symptoms and refused to go to the doctor,” she explains. Like many people who experience gradual hearing loss, Connolly, now 72, buried his head in the sand, continued with work and pretended everything was OK. But it wasn’t, admits Pamela, who had noticed over a period of

years that Connolly was starting to feel family members and work colleagues isolated. "His auditory impairments were and lead to mental health issues and affecting his performances and he was depression. forgetting things. I knew the hearing loss Many people mistakenly believe that in particular was affecting his ability to keeping the issue a secret or ignoring perform on stage because he couldn’t it, will mean greater job security hear the audience feedback, which is and greater chances of success in important for a comedian. All those the workplace. Sadly, the opposite years on the circuit sitting on huge stacks is often true as workmates become of loud speakers was bound to cause increasingly frustrated with the lack of damage. So persuading Billy to wear a communication, or wrongly believe their hearing aid was more of a hurdle than hearing impaired colleague is ignoring anything else,” says 65-year-old Pamela. them or being rude. Michele Barry, CEO After undergoing surgery for the of self-help organisation Better Hearing cancer and learning that his Parkinson's Australia Victoria, admits: “Those people was a slow moving form of the illness, who have a hearing loss are less likely Connolly released a new film last year, to be employed or studying and often ‘What We Did On Our Holiday’ and toured retire earlier due to the impact of not Australia to sell-out crowds and rave being able to hear.” However, taking reviews – all with the help of his new positive, proactive steps to have hearing “miracle” hearing devices. “It made a assessed and using hearing aids or new tremendous difference to his Connolly played grandfather Gordie in the British family comedy quality of life and he’s been What We Did On Our Holiday performing better than he has for years,” says Pamela, who grew up in Australia but now lives with Connolly in London and New York. While Connolly’s recent health story is extreme and could have ended his career, it is a common example of what can happen when hearing loss develops – the sense of isolation, denial and fear can be overwhelming. It can cause a breakdown of communication between Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

COMIC ASIDE Billy Connolly's first career was in the 1960s as a welder in the Glasgow shipyards. He then joined the Territorial Army in the parachute regiment, but gave it all up to become a folk singer in the band, The Humblebums, along with Gerry Rafferty, best known for the hit song, Baker Street. Billy used to tell jokes in between songs which took over his act and led to becoming a full-time comedian. He became a household name when he appeared on the BBC chat show Parkinson in 1971. Since then he has featured in numerous movies, TV shows and released many recordings and videos of his concert performances. There is little that is off limits to Connolly when it comes to his stand-up routines. With his tendency for poking fun at himself, hearing loss jokes like these delivered at stand-up events could well feature even more heavily now in Billy's repertoire: "A biker goes to the Doctor with hearing problems. 'Can you describe the symptoms to me?'. 'Yes.....Homer is a fat yellow lazy bastard and Marg is a skinny bird with big blue hair!'"

"And then there was my mate who'd just been fitted with a brand new hearing aid. 'It's the best in the world', he said. 'What type is it?', I asked and he said 'Ten past twelve'."

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

audio technology, can turn people’s lives around. American hearing experts now claim that hearing loss treatment actually reduces work discrimination against the person with hearing problems and people who use their hearing aids do better financially. Unfortunately, it is estimated that it takes around seven years for people to act on their hearing loss while a surprising 40 per cent of people who have been fitted with hearing aids don't actually use them. "The fact that someone is hearingchallenged should not be a barrier to getting a job and being successful at it," says David Budd, manager at Nova Employment, a supported employment program in New South Wales which helps people with disabilities find work. Budd says there are many simple ways employers can integrate people with hearing difficulties and improve communication and productivity. These include training staff about deafness, looking at their office set-up, updating safety issues such as installing flashing lights to alarms, adopting specialised equipment and reassessing how meetings and conferences take place. “For employers, communication is the main concern. We look at workplace modification and some of this can be paid for by the Government so there are no out-of-pocket expenses. We also do deafness awareness training such as facing the person who is hard of hearing and not speaking all at once - this often ends up improving communication all round,” explains Budd. Help your colleagues help you It is likely your work mates know little, or nothing about hearing loss, let alone your particular hearing issues. For them to communicate effectively with you, they not only need to know that you have a hearing loss but will appreciate you giving them tips on how they can make sure you hear them. • Explain your type of hearing loss with an example that they will understand such as: "I have trouble hearing voices when there is background noise." • Let them know if you have a good ear and a not-so-good ear :"I can miss words or phrases coming from this side so I like to be positioned with my good ear closest to you."

•

Tell them how you are most able to 'hear' them. "I find really fast speech more difficult to decipher so if you could try to speak a little more slowly that will help. And the closer you are to me, the easier I can hear what you're saying." Explain that you find it easier to 'hear' when you're able to supplement sound with facial expression, body language and even lip-reading: "Would you mind trying to avoid obscuring your face or turning away when you're talking to me. It helps me to understand what is said when I can see your face. If there is a soft sound I don't hear well I'll be able to work out what you said from the shape of your mouth or even your expression". Rather than asking them to repeat something try asking them to rephrase it: "Sorry I didn't catch that, could you express it in another way." Ask them to write down critical information such as dates, times, addresses, telephone numbers, peoples’ names, and amounts of money. Business meetings can be challenging when multiple people talk at once. Ask the person responsible for taking the minute notes if they mind you sitting next to them so you can scan the minutes in the meeting if you miss something. If the business hasn't implemented minute-taking with action points suggest/request that it is introduced - apart from assisting you it will help the business because it is just good business. Explain to the chair of a meeting that you find it difficult when everyone starts talking at once. Ask them if they would mind managing the team so that only one person is talking at any time. Try and establish a relationship with one or two colleagues who will be your ears when it comes to general office chit-chat: "I've discovered often things are discussed in general office conversations that people in earshot can take part in. The problem is I just don't hear these 'in earshot' conversations and can miss out on social functions or impromptu meetings. Would you mind being my ears in these situations?"

Get back in the conversation

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•

Explain how your specialised devices work (for example, a bluetooth microphone that streams directly to your hearing aid) and how best to integrate it into each communication situation. • If you suffer from tinnitus or Meniere’s disease explain to colleagues how it can affect you: "Sometimes I become dizzy and nauseous and need to lie down." Or, "There may be times when I am experiencing dizziness and may not be able to drive or operate machinery." Other tips include ensuring colleagues know that coffee shop meetings don't work because of the background noise, that you need to use meeting rooms with the best lighting and communicating that you will be most effective and efficient in a quiet work space. Financial support It can be worrying to think that your hearing challenges will put your ability to be effective in the workplace at risk and it can be even more worrying that it might place an unwelcome financial burden on your company. There is, however, relief from these worries in the form of Job Access, an Australian Government initiative delivered by WorkFocus Australia. It not only provides advice on disability employment-related matters but also provides financial assistance through the Employment Assistance Fund (EAF). Providing up to $6000 per hearing impaired or deaf employee in any 12-month period, the EAF funds work-related interpreting that can include onsite or remote interpreting and live captioning. Interpreting assistance can be used for any work-related activity that the employer deems appropriate. The EAF also provides up to $1500 per eligible employee in a 12-month period for deaf/hearing impaired awareness training at work. This assists co-workers and employers with tips for communicating with people with hearing loss and even to learn basic Auslan signs. You can call JobAccess free on 1800 464 800 (also TTY) to talk through your situation and how they can help you or email jobaccessadvice@workfocus.com. Technology that can help In most workplaces noise levels are high and present us with different kinds 14

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

of background noises to deal with. Background noise is generally amplified by a hearing aid, making it difficult to concentrate, resulting in fatigue and tension headaches. We are lucky to be living in the technology age, though, with constant ground-breaking advancements that are transforming workplace meeting and conference situations for hearingimpaired employees. A perfect example is Ai-Live, a service that enables a meeting or conference speaker to wear a microphone that relays the conversation to remote voice recognition equipment which then sends captions back to the hearing-impaired person’s ipad or laptop within five seconds. These Ai-Live services, which start from $200 per hour, can be fully funded under Employment Assistance Fund for eligible employees. This is just one of many pioneering products and services now available to enhance the working world for the hard of hearing. Of course, today’s hearing aid manufacturers have already incorporated an array of smart features into their products, some promising users a better hearing experience than that of a person with normal hearing and some offering free apps that allows you to secretly control sound to your hearing aids via your phone. You also have the option of various assistive listening devices (ALDs) to boost your hearing success in various work environments. Robert Henry, Founder of Hear For Less, recommends the Bellman Domino PRO for the business environment: "Distance and noise are the main factors that make listening difficult. An FM System is a great solution to hear more in noisy environments where your hearing aid just isn’t enough. The Bellman Domino PRO is a good example. It is a wireless listening system that works with your hearing aid or cochlear implant's

telecoil (also known as T coil) to allow you to stream sound from the transmitter to your hearing device. If your hearing device doesn't have a telecoil or you don’t wear hearing aids it can be used with discrete ear buds or headphones." The wireless transmitter is worn by the person who is speaking or you can place it in the middle of the table. It picks up the sound and sends it wirelessly to the receiver that you can wear around your neck or place in your pocket. While listening you can adjust the volume and alter the tone of the sound you are listening to. "You basically have more control of the listening environment," Henry explains. With an optional telephone adaptor you can also connect the Domino PRO listening system to your office phone. This gives you the ability to hear more in meetings as well as on the phone. The system is quick to recharge via USB or the supplied power supply and the lithium ion batteries give you around 8 to 10 hours of operation. The lithium ion batteries are also quick to charge via USB or the supplied power supply. "With an operating range of up to 30 metres it is perfect for seminars where you can place the microphone transmitter on the lectern and sit anywhere in the theatre," Henry said.

If you're looking for discretion, 'Bond, James Bond' style, then the Phonak’s Roger Pen may fit the bill. The sleek, silver ‘pen’ operates as a wireless microphone enhancing sounds over distance and in noisy environments. Compatible with most types of hearing aids, bone-anchored aids and cochlear implants, it also incorporates Bluetooth for mobile phone calls and can be used to listen to the television or multimedia. Over distance and loud noise, Phonak claim, Roger Pen users understand 62

per cent more speech than people with no hearing loss. Improving your ability to hear on the phone at work can be as simple as the purchase of an 'inline amplifier' which connects between your existing landline phone base and handset or headset. The Serene Innovations UA-50 Business Phone Amplifier amplifies incoming voices up to 45dB and can be used with any headset with an RJ9 plug. The company claims its patented technology enables the amplifier to work with virtually all business telephones. The digital sound processing technology eliminates virtually all distortion, echo effects and unwanted static and digital tone enhancement allows you to boost and enrich the speech frequencies you can't hear well. Serene Innovations also produces a standard model for home phones.

The Plantronics HA-40 Portable Inline Amplifier also allows you to increase volume and adjust tone on your existing phone. Connecting between the hand piece and base of the phone, it is compatible with analogue and digital phones although it is not compatible with most Telstra analogue touch phones. If you rely on mobile phone calls or text message communication but don't want to have the alert sound too loud at work for fear of distracting your colleagues then the LightOn Mobile Phone Signaller may be the answer. It allows you to have the ring or alert sounds turned below your hearing level, or off, and alerts you to an incoming call or text with a flashing light. You simply place your mobile phone in the stand. If you're office based you can use text-based relay call using the internet through the National Relay Service. And

now you also have access to many of the National Relay Service communication options via your smart phone (see p26). It is a well accepted estimation that hearing loss in Australia will jump from one in six people now, to one in four by 2050. A contributing factor to this growth of our hearing impaired population is the damage being done by today's youth who spend long periods of time listing to loud music through earbuds. We are therefore likely to see many more people in the workforce in the not too distant future requiring support for their hearing which will drive further improvements in technology and greater work focused device options. Continued improvements in technology are undoubtedly transforming life for employees with auditory issues and, as Billy Connolly discovered, hearing loss is no hurdle to having a high-flying career. In the words of the Big Yin himself from his recent movie, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You need to live more and think less,â&#x20AC;? for a happy and fulfilling life.

residual hearing is driving

HYBRID

When the word hybrid is used it is usually in relation to a vehicle which offers the best of both worlds with the opportunity to switch between an electric and combustion motor. Greg Lawrence from the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre (HEARing CRC) explains how a 'hybrid' cochlear implant offers users the opportunity to use both acoustic and electric hearing in combination in the same ear at the same time. A cochlear implant is an amazing piece of technology that has opened up a world of sound for people with profound sensorineural hearing loss. Continued product development by manufacturers has improved hearing outcomes for patients and more and more people are benefitting from cochlear implants. In the 1980s, only people with total or profound deafness, who received no benefit from hearing aids, were considered for these hearing devices. New advances in surgical procedures, electrode array design and sound processors by cochlear implant manufacturers have meant adults and children with residual acoustic hearing abilities can now consider cochlear implants as an alternative to hearing aids. The expanding indications for candidature of cochlear implants has come from the incorporation of hearing aid technology into newer designs. The result is devices that use the best of both worlds – acoustic amplification of low frequencies with electrical stimulation of higher frequencies. Until very recently, cochlear implants were only considered an option if little benefit was obtained from hearing aids. This decision was largely based on a benefit-risk calculation that determined 16

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

if a person would have better speech perception and communication using a cochlear implant compared with a hearing aid. Before the arrival of the hybrid cochlear implant, patients could have a cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the opposite ear for a ‘bi-modal fitting’. Another more recent option has been to have a hearing aid and cochlear implant fitted to the same ear so acoustic information from the hearing aid is combined with a cochlear implant’s electrical stimulation information to provide an electro-acoustic or ‘hybrid’ fitting. Professor Robert Cowan, CEO of the HEARing CRC, says in practice this

means audiologists have to fit a hearing aid in a way it can work effectively with a cochlear implant in the same ear. “Although a hybrid fit can be achieved using two independent devices, it is far easier and more acceptable for an individual to have both electrical and acoustic outputs coming from the same device. This also eases the audiologist’s task of deciding how the acoustic and electrical frequency allocation is determined to ensure minimal overlap, or crossover, between the sounds detected by the hearing aid and cochlear implant,” says Professor Cowan. “Most sensorineural hearing loss affects the higher frequencies – particularly above 1500 Hertz, so the

ADVANCES

hybrid device can be adjusted to provide acoustic hearing to the lower frequencies, and electrical stimulation to the higher frequencies,” says Cowan. Newer electrode designs have also played a very important role in the success of the hybrid cochlear implant. Slimmer and shorter cochlear implant electrode arrays that reduce the possibility of trauma following insertion have allowed recipients to retain their residual hearing. “A good example of this design concept is the short Hybrid S12 electrode array

Standard electrode array Standard electrode array

Hybrid electrode array

developed from the research of Gantz et al, and the Hybrid L24 electrode array released by Cochlear. This electrode array is shorter than standard electrode arrays, and is thinner and more flexible – a design that results in less trauma by reducing the inflammatory response in the cochlea following insertion, both of which help preserve an individual’s residual hearing and improve the effectiveness of electrode stimulation,” says Cowan. New generation hybrid cochlear implants such as Cochlear’s Hybrid

Hybrid electrode array

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

Hybrid L24 Sound frequency range

LOW 125

250

500

1000

2000

HIGH 4000

8000

Amplified sound

Hearing Solution and Med-El’s Synchrony cochlear implant system now allow individuals to keep their residual low-frequency hearing. “New surgical procedures have also played a part in preserving residual hearing by reducing the amount of drilling required and providing easier access to the cochlea for electrode insertion,” says Cowan. Post-operative hearing thresholds can be well preserved using the Hybrid L24 electrode array, opening the door to combined electric and acoustic stimulation. Additional electrode array designs aimed at hearing preservation are under development and include the Slim Straight electrode array from Cochlear and the Flex24 electrode array from Med-El. Other electrode designs combine new approaches to hearing preservation with improved placement closer to the nerves that require stimulation. For example, the HEARing CRC is exploring new ways to further reduce cochlear trauma following insertion through a drug-delivery system built into the electrode array to reduce post-surgery inflammation through the slow release of corticosteroids from the electrode into the cochlea. “The world’s three main cochlear implant companies, Advanced Bionics, Cochlear Ltd and Med-El, all now have electro-acoustic options available, and our hope is this will result in more people

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

deciding to have a cochlear implant before their residual hearing goes,” says Cowan. “But, there is still much to learn about how best to preserve a person’s hearing abilities for the long term following cochlear implantation. For example, some individuals who retain good hearing after surgery may lose it six to 12 months later without having had an ear infection or anything else that provides a possible explanation. While we recognise that in many cases, the causes of hearing loss are progressive, and the gradual loss of residual hearing is anticipated, more research is needed to understand why and how this happens, so that future designs can perhaps prevent this,” Cowan explains. A key question affecting suitability for hybrid cochlear implants is what happens when residual acoustic hearing is not preserved, or is subsequently lost. Is the patient implanted with any electroacoustic electrode array disadvantaged? HEARing CRC PhD student Paola Incerti, of the National Acoustic Laboratories, has been looking at how to program hybrid devices to improve their effectiveness. Her research has demonstrated that hybrid cochlear implants provide a significant speech perception and localisation improvement for recipients.

An important part of having hybrid hearing devices that preserve residual hearing is that more people can now have a cochlear implant much earlier in life than before. “Paola’s research is exploring what patients prefer as the ‘cross-over frequency’ between acoustic and electrical hearing information – the frequency where the cochlear implant takes over from the hearing aid and vice versa. This includes coming up with a

proven clinical method that determines the best cross-over frequency for each patient,” says Cowan. “Paola’s literature survey of a range of hybrid designs and studies has shown, that when compared with an individual's scores using their bilateral hearing aids, generally word scores were 20-34 per cent better with their hybrid devices when only using the cochlear implant part of the hybrid. This would be the equivalent of losing all their remaining acoustic hearing." This indicates that if residual hearing is lost after implantation there is no disadvantage to having an electro-acoustic electrode array. “When the test is carried out using both the cochlear implant and acoustic elements of the hybrid, their improvement in word scores increases to between 37-49 per cent compared with their bilateral hearing aids,” Cowan explains. Research by HEARing CRC PhD student Kerrie Plant is exploring how combined hearing using a hybrid cochlear implant in one ear and a hearing aid in the other compares with bimodal hearing with a regular cochlear implant in one ear, and a hearing aid in the other. Results show that localisation scores and hearing in noise are significantly improved in the hybrid combined scenario compared to the bimodal case. However, proper fitting of the two elements (acoustic and electric) is critical to achieving maximum improvement. An important part of having hybrid hearing devices that preserve residual hearing is that more people can now have a cochlear implant much earlier in life than before. “The longer a person waits to have a cochlear implant, the more likely they are to have a degraded auditory neural pathway. As hearing hair cells die, we lose spiral ganglion cells along with peripheral nerves that send the sensation of sound up the auditory pathway, degrading the recipient’s ability to process sound information. So having a hybrid hearing device earlier in life may offset this neural degradation while improving an individual’s hearing ability and quality of life,” says Cowan.

Source: National Institutes for Health

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DES1964_0315

FOOD

FOR THOUGHT Dramas on the hit television show My Kitchen Rules prompted a life-changing decision for deaf contestant Emilie Biggar, Rebecca Barker discovered.

She was half of the pretty, blonde duo who added a sprinkling of girl-next-door glamour to Seven’s gourmet cooking contest My Kitchen Rules. But as the show’s first deaf contestant, Emilie Biggar admits the excitement of filming a top rated television series was a far cry from the tough reality of life with hearing difficulties. She admits there were times during filming when she felt completely overwhelmed. “I loved doing the show and, if I could, I would do it all over again. But it was tiring and very intense. I felt left out at times – but I admit, I am used to that,” explains Biggar, who was born deaf in her left ear but believes she now has less than 80 per cent hearing in her right ear despite using a behind-theear aid. The show posed many challenges for Biggar which most people with hearing difficulties grapple with every day. Issues such as not being able to lip-read with her partner Sheri Eddington while trying to communicate and cook against the clock added an extra layer of frustration for the popular pair. “She (Sheri) would be talking away and one of the producers (filming them cook) would have to say, ‘Emilie, Sheri just asked you how you were doing?’ And I’d say, ‘Did she?’,” Biggar told News Corp Australia. Then, trying to understand the comments of French judge Manu Feildel, who critiqued the girls’ dishes with celebrity chef Pete Evans, added even more confusion to the mix. While Evans spoke loudly and clearly making himself constantly audible, Manu’s low, slow French drawl was difficult for Biggar to hear. “He whispers and he mumbles and there’s his accent. I yelled at him, ‘Manu, speak louder please,’ and then he’d get it right for the first sentence and then go Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

“I could understand Pete. Pete was amazing. He had fantastic vocals and he would speak so loud for me, he was incredible,” “Then comes Manu and he whispers and he mumbles and there’s his accent. I yelled at him, ‘Manu, speak louder please’ and then he’d get it right for the first sentence and then go trailling off again. I was like ‘Aaargh’. Biggar told News Corp Australia.

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

trailling off again. I was like, ‘Aaargh’,” says the exasperated contestant. But tough times such as these have helped Biggar reach goals she never thought possible as a child. Growing up the daughter of a single mum and being inspired and taught to cook by her grandmother, she only ever wanted to be treated like her friends. But her experience at school was an uphill struggle and made her realise she would have to disregard what other people thought about her to get on in life. “I was a bit of a rebel. I always had to sit at the front of class while my friends were sitting at the back. I went to four different schools, fell behind in classwork and nearly had to repeat Year 8,” explains Biggar, who was born in Melbourne but has most recently been living in Queensland with her partner Daniel Crook and two-year-old son William. A crucial turning point in her life came when she met her My Kitchen Rules partner Eddington with whom she bonded over their similar upbringings. Both lived with their grandparents and were from single parent families. Eddington became a disability support worker and has supported and stuck by her friend even when family and relationships meant they were unable to be together for long periods. When they were able to see each other, their shared love of cooking led to nights chilling out in the kitchen, listening to music and preparing their favourite dishes. So it came as a huge shock to Biggar when she entered the pressure cooker environment of the MKR film set and encountered debilitating hearing issues. It was during the Instant Restaurant phase of the series as she and her bubbly teammate Eddington were creating their threecourse meal at home for celebrity judges

Feildel and Evans and fellow contestants that her hearing seemed to ‘shut down’. Understandably, the 24-year-old admits she suddenly felt bewildered and afraid of the future. “I was worried I could be losing my hearing for good. I didn’t want to grow up not being able to hear my son’s laughter and when he talks to me. I would be lost without that,” says Biggar. Throughout her life, the hearing impaired mum has largely communicated through lip-reading. But when she and her best friend and soul mate Eddington were thrust into the frantic prep stage of their kitchen challenge, Biggar says the anxiety of the situation may have contributed to her hearing deterioration. “A lot of the time Sheri had her back to me and was at the other end of the kitchen or I would not hear her and be thinking, ‘Did she just ask me a question?’ With that and the background noise and different conversations going on around the table, it was challenging,” admits Biggar. “I had been told that I might eventually lose the hearing in my right ear. I think stress played a part in it but I’m not totally sure what caused it to drop to its lowest on the show,” she says. After the episode she told News Corp Australia, “I had to go on with the show completely deaf. The sound was so different…it was like someone having a paper bag over their head. It was all really muffled. It was horrible,” she said. Thankfully, Biggar admits that the producers and contestants were very understanding and she managed to get through the gruelling dinner critiques about other contestants’ meals unscathed. But after years of soldiering on, she says the show convinced her to do something about her worsening hearing issues and booked to see an audiologist in Melbourne to discuss whether she would be a suitable

Emilie Biggar with partner Daniel Crook and two-year-old son William

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

Celebrity chefs Pete Evans (above left) and French judge Manu Feildel (right) with Biggar and Eddington in their Toowoomba kitchen.

Biggar says it is important to let others know about your hearing loss to improve communication. "I let people know that if I ignored them, it wasn’t because I didn’t like them – it was it was just because I didn’t hear them”.

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

candidate for a cochlear implant. “On the show I said I didn’t want one because I was happy with who I was. Getting the cochlear implant actually frightens me. I’ve heard stories it’s a completely different sound…I’m allowed to be scared about that,” admits Biggar, who had already seen a specialist in Queensland but had been frightened off the implant because she did not feel properly informed about the surgicallyfitted device, how it might affect her residual hearing and how she would adapt to it. “He just wanted to do cochlear implants on both ears but I felt like I needed more information about it. When I tried a different type of hearing aid before, I didn’t like it. With the implant I’m worried I might hear things I’ve never heard before or hear too much sound because I’m now so used to my hearing limits,” says the cautious mum. Her concerns about the implant are very common. Though the life-changing bionic ear has restored some hearing to about 340,000 people worldwide since its introduction more than 30 years ago, many myths and worries still surround it. Questions like, ‘Will there be scarring? Will it affect the hearing I still have, will I be able to hear immediately after surgery and will it be possible to hear music and use a telephone?’ all need to be discussed and considered with a professional. Biggar admits that during childhood she relied on her mum to weigh up the pros and cons of various hearing devices and the ins and outs of her auditory problems. But since appearing on My Kitchen Rules, she is more committed than ever to achieve her best hearing potential

despite finding it hard to consider anything other than her trusted Siemens hearing aid. She recently tried a new behind-the-ear aid and was put off by the unexpectedly loud sounds, such as approaching footsteps and loud, crunching breakfast cereal packets, so reverted to her usual, outdated model. “They don’t make the model of hearing aid I have now but I never wanted to let it go despite being offered a new one last year with all the fancy gadgets – a microphone and new phone,” says Biggar, who has not used many of the popular Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs) now on the market. “It’s amazing what technology is out there now but I think it’s really important to get the advice and information you need to know what you are going into – especially considering I have got some hearing,” explains Biggar. She says she is also interested in learning more about hybrid hearing devices (see p16) that combine the benefits of a hearing aid and a cochlear implant before she commits to any new options. With the filming of My Kitchen Rules finished, Biggar is looking to the future with a positive attitude and though her experience on the cooking show was bitter sweet, she has been amazed by the feedback from family, friends and fans. “I got approached by a group of deaf people at a festival in Melbourne. One of the girls came up to me and said, ‘You are my inspiration’. That melted my heart. I had never had someone say those words and felt like I had made a difference,” says the happy mum. In recent months she and her partner Crook have been planning their

move back to Melbourne where he aims to leave his job in the Army for work as a firefighter, while Biggar is looking to get back into teaching children. In particular, she would like to tour schools to talk about what it is like being deaf and perhaps return to work as a children’s swimming teacher. “When I was teaching kids swimming, I didn’t have a waterproof hearing aid so I used to lip-read with the kids in the pool and just talk loudly. Some parents didn’t even know I was deaf which was pretty awesome,” says Biggar, who is also a keen sportswoman having run her first triathlon last year. Educating people about what it is like to be hearing impaired, the reasons why it happens and how to communicate with those who have auditory issues, is now a priority for the busy mum. Her decision to go on the MKR show was led by this drive to raise awareness. “Deaf people are all different and have different levels of hearing and language skills. Some use sign language and some don’t,” explains Biggar, who says people sometimes ‘talk down to her’

or start to talk very slowly when they just need to repeat something or speak a bit louder. She also says it is important to let others know about your hearing loss to improve communication. “The other contestants on the show were very accepting of the situation. Often, it’s just a lack of understanding. I let people know that if I ignored them, it wasn’t because I didn’t like them – it was it was just because I didn’t hear them,” says Biggar. Her greatest ambition however, besides improving her hearing and helping other deaf people, is to break into the world of acting. As a teenager, she wrote a short film about a blind man who falls in love with a deaf girl and she has appeared in short films and on stage. “It would be good to see more deaf people in the acting industry as there are not many out there,” says Biggar. “Now I’m older, I don’t care what other people think of me,” she says. “Doing My Kitchen Rules was a huge opportunity and it has changed my whole life,” she says.

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all about. all about... The world-first smartphone app for the hearing-impaired

by Joanne Bainbridge

Until now people with hearing loss have been limited to SMS communication when using smartphones. While this is a perfectly useful way to communicate, and one that teens seem to choose over face-to-face chats and phone calls, it can be limiting when you need to communicate with a business, someone without a smartphone, or just when you're on the go. The good news is The National Relay Service (NRS) has launched a worldfirst smartphone relay service app that provides a range of relay calls and support via your smartphone or tablet. It is simple and intuitive and provides a greater service to people who are deaf, hearing or speech impaired. The app has a range of functions to improve user experience to communicate faster and more efficiently, anywhere and anytime. Deb Fullwood, the Managing Director of NRS Outreach explains this important new development for the service. "With the launch of the NRS app, people who have a hearing or speech impairment are now just as mobile in communicating and making phone calls as everyone else – all they need is their smartphone,” says Fullwood. The app allows users to access a number of NRS call options, including internet relay and Speak and Listen. A new feature for Speak and Listen callers has been introduced which allows them to ‘type and send’ text messages to the relay officer during the call and receive text messages in return. If you don’t like to miss calls, the app has the added benefits of providing notification of an incoming internet relay call. Notifications are available on desktop and laptop computers, which means if you are shopping online or paying bills, you will still be alerted to an incoming call. 26

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

The NRS has enabled personalisation by creating a profile through the NRS Helpdesk or on the NRS app itself. This enables the relay officer to know what help you require with your call and you can rest assured your ‘caller notes’ will not be relayed to the other person unless you specifically ask the relay officer to do so. If you get frustrated with repeating information or if you have your own catchphrases, than you will appreciate the ability to store customised phrases on the app and regular users will be able to create messages which can then be inserted into internet relay and Speak and Listen calls after you have started the call. Another handy function is the ability to store contacts and access all your phone numbers without having to retype them into the number field. If you want to meet a friend for lunch, or need a taxi to pick you up from an appointment, you can use the device's GPS to provide location information.

"With the launch of the NRS app, people who have a hearing or speech impairment are now just as mobile in communicating and making phone calls as everyone else – all they need is their smartphone.” Deb Fullwood, NRS Outreach MD During a call, tap the location icon and drag the pin to the correct spot on the map. Once you are happy with the location, the address will then be automatically inserted into your call as text to be read to the other person. When you use a transport service, for instance if you need to book a taxi to the airport, you can use the ‘service’ field. Here you

can fill in the required fields, including the call option (internet relay or Speak and Listen) you want to use when you make the call. If you have set up your profile, you have the added benefit of sending the ‘caller notes’. English is required for the parts of the call that need to be relayed and you will need to be comfortable with the relay officer being on the line throughout the duration of the call. You need to remember the relay officer is unable to offer you advice or help you make decisions, nor are they responsible for the content of the conversation. All users will need to be able to manage the technology required, such as a voice output device, computer, mobile phone or teletypewriter (TTY). The relay officer is the key to the NRS relay call. When first contacted they will introduce themselves and explain the service to you or the person you are contacting. They are able to type your words, or speak your words or those of the other party. In speak and listen calls only, the relay officer is also able to re-speak your words if the other party doesn’t understand what you have said. The officer will also be able to explain to the other person that you are using a voice output service or have a speech or hearing impairment and request that they be patient whilst you generate your message. The relay officer stays on the line for the duration of the conversation so you will be supported the whole time. How to get the NRS app The NRS app is available on iTunes and Google Play. You will need any iPhone or iPad with an Apple (iOS) operating system, or with an Android operating system, which most non-Apple branded phones feature.

Image of man: Cleardesign | Dreamstime.com

SERVICES YOU CAN ACCESS VIA THE NRS • • • • • • • • •

Costs involved Because the app is free, the only cost involved will be your internet connections costs and using broadband data. Once a registered NRS user, you can make international calls via the NRS with all call types. Different costs apply, similar to standard international calls. Benefits of using the App Using the app can make using NRS a more personalised service and get

Make a text-based relay call using the internet (Internet relay) I can’t hear but can speak (captioned relay) I want to make a relay call on my mobile phone (SMS relay) I prefer to make calls using Auslan (video relay) I can’t hear and don’t use my voice (Type and Read) I can’t hear but can speak (Speak and Read) I can’t speak but can hear (Type and Listen) I’m hard to understand on the phone (Speak and Listen) I want to call someone with a hearing or speech impairment (calling an NRS user)

you started sooner on your phone call with a pre-set start-up messages. Once you have created a profile the relay officer will already know about your call-management requirements. Phone numbers can be stored in the contacts section of your device and you also create your own phrases to insert as text during the call. If you allow notifications on the NRS app, you will be notified of all incoming calls via a pop-up window in the bottom right of your screen.

Privacy Privacy is of course paramount and the app will prompt you on your first use to create a four-number passcode. This passcode will protect your stored information from unauthorised access. All conversations are kept confidential, therefore you are able to communicate openly. If requested, the relay officer is able to pass on your personal information to the other person such as your address, passwords or account numbers.

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to receive free or subsidised hearing services from the Australian Government Hearing Services Program? With a choice of over 240 service providers at 2,600 sites across Australia, find out today if you are eligible at www.hearingservices.gov.au

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I’ve seen an earwax vacuum cleaner advertised and was wondering if it is safe to use compared with cotton buds? Roberta Marino: Firstly if the wax is not blocking the ear canal or causing discomfort or irritation, leave it alone. We are all supposed to have a certain amount of earwax to protect our ear system and the ear canal is self cleaning with wax normally working its own way out of the ear canal. Neither cleaning with cotton buds or using self-use electronic vacuums is a good option. Cotton buds inserted

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into the ear canal tend to push the wax in further and are only safe to use in the most external part of the ear canal. After talking to various Ear, Nose and Throat specialists and GPs, there was concern that the 'vacuums' could inadvertently be pushed in too far and cause damage to the delicate ear drum which consists of only 3 layers of skin. There was also a query on how effective they would be given that a person using the device cannot determine if the device is sitting on the wax. In general, these ear vacuums are too weak to be effective and if they were more powerful they could potentially cause significant damage in untrained hands. If the ear canal is scraped or if wax is firmly attached to the skin of the canal, removing it can lead to bleeding and potential outer ear infections (otitis externa). This can occur in particular in older individuals whose skin is usually more fragile. A self cleaning method that is often advocated is to get a tissue and twist it into a spear shape.

After having a shower, the wax in the ear canals is often softer and the tissue spear can be used to mop up any softer wax. If the wax is still present or hardened you could try using drops such as Ear Clear or seeing your GP or ENT specialist. Many audiologists also have the training and expertise to remove wax using dry methods that involve picking out the wax while visualising the ear canal through a magnified headlight.

ts Q A

My hearing is bad in both ears, do I necessarily need a hearing aid in each ear? Jawan Sayed: For many individuals, the prospect of being fitted with two hearing aids may be daunting. Often new hearing aid users may feel that the process of adjustment with a single aid may be easier than two, more cosmetically appealing or in some cases it may be financially difficult to purchase two hearing aids. If a hearing loss is present in both ears, it would be recommended that you wear a hearing aid in each as the expected benefit of wearing two hearing aids exceeds that of wearing one. To totally understand the benefit of wearing two hearing aids we need to recognise that the process of hearing is not limited to only our ears but also involves the brain. Much of our brain's ability to make sense of sound is based on the information it receives from both ears working together. A few reasons why two hearing aids are recommended over wearing one: 1. Better hearing in noise - Hearing speech in noise can be improved if the sound reaching each ear arrives at slightly different moment in time - this time difference helps the brain process a signal more efficiently. 2. An improved ability to tell what direction sound is coming from (sound localisation) - the brain uses the sound entering each ear to determine the direction of the sound. 3. Wearing two hearing aids gives you a more natural balance of sound. 4. Less listening effort is required to be able to understand speech in noise. 5. Individuals fitted with two hearing aids are more satisfied than those fitted with one.

I am not a hearing aid user but when I went to the movies last night it was so loud I couldn’t bear it and actually made my ears sore. Are there rules about how loud movies can be played at? Emma Scanlan: You are not alone. A lot of people complain about the level of the sound track in the cinema. There are limits to the levels of all types of sounds - most speakers have limiters on them that limit the output of the sound available.

Determining when sounds become dangerous is a combination of the level of the sound and how long you are exposed to it - so it's not just about how loud the sound is. Anything over about 80dB can be dangerous if you are exposed to it for long enough (and sounds less than 80dB can certainly be very annoying). If it is uncomfortable for you then I would advise next time you are at the cinema (or go to see a band or engage in a noisy activity such as using power tools) then you should use hearing protection - earplugs can be slipped in quite easily - you should still be able to hear the movie soundtrack (often better) but at a lower level and cutting out some of the background noise. For power tools, earplugs or earmuffs can be used to reduce the sound pressure at the eardrum. You do need to be careful about how they are worn – hanging the earmuffs around the neck doesn’t help! If you want more specific information I would suggest you look at Standards Australia or some acoustics societies may help. The National Acoustics Laboratory website also has some great information on noise exposure at www.nal.gov.au.

I am considering a cochlear implant and feel I should be asking my surgeon questions but just don't know what to ask. Can you help. Sarah McCullough: The decision to get a cochlear implant can be quite daunting and asking your surgeon some questions can help you to move forward with more confidence. The first step is to find out if a cochlear implant is the best choice for you. To determine this ask: Am I likely to obtain more benefit from a cochlear implant compared with my hearing aids? If you are likely to benefit and you feel it is the right time for you, there are some specific questions about the surgery you might want to ask. Will I lose the hearing I currently have? Are some implants better for keeping my remaining hearing? What does the surgery involve? Is there anything I can’t do after surgery? Will the surgery affect my balance or tinnitus (sounds in the ear)? How long will I be in the hospital? How long does it take until I can hear with the cochlear implant? The answers to these questions will

help you prepare for the surgery and understand what to expect. If you have decided to go ahead, you will also need to decide which cochlear implant is the right one for you and your lifestyle. You could ask: What implants are available and what are their differences? If you are receiving only one implant, ask if there is an implant compatible with your other hearing aid so that they can work together post-surgery. It is also important to consider what you enjoy in life and compare your needs to the options that each implant can provide. If hearing in water is important, you might ask about the options for swimming and bathing. Consider asking about phone use, connecting to your television or music and the ability of the implant to be upgraded for use with future technologies. It can also be important to ask about how the implants themselves work on the inside to replicate hearing. If choosing for your child, ask about wearing options, ease of use and monitoring and availability of accessories for listening in school. These questions will help you make a decision as to which implant might be best for you and why. It will also give you some information as to where to start if you want to do further research into your options. The choice of implant is a very personal decision. Explore all the options and choose what is right for you and your family. Whatever you decide, you will open up a whole new world of hearing. Cochlear Ltd's Nucleus 6

Med-El's Rondo

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Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

REAL PEOPLE

real

Far from allowing declining hearing loss to defeat her, Leigh Tweedie has built a business from it.

I was born hearing and brought up in a loving family. With no family history of deafness, I lived in a hearing world as a child. I enjoyed school, sport and ballet which gave me a love of music from an early age. I contracted German Measles (also known as Rubella) at 18 and it has been suggested that the complications, including a very high temperature, caused my hearing loss. I went to university and studied for a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Food Science and Technology but I didn’t realise that I wasn’t hearing as well as I should. We were only a small group of students doing the course so I didn’t have to sit in a large lecture room. Without realising it, I taught myself to lip-read and it was my boyfriend’s mum who encouraged me to see an audiologist about my hearing. I have now been married to this ‘boyfriend’, Alan, for 38 wonderful years. The audiologist arranged for me to be fitted with a hearing aid and shortly after, a second one. I was able to continue working in my career, first in food 30

Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

research, then as a microbiologist until our first baby came along. My hearing continued to get progressively worse and I was fitted with a series of increasingly powerful hearing aids. We have three beautiful daughters and two grandchildren who can all hear. Our daughters are adults now but I do remember not being able to hear them when they cried as babies from another room. I had a baby alarm set up beside their cot during the day so I could do sewing or handicrafts while they were having an afternoon nap. By the time our third child was born I was noticeably deaf. I missed out on hearing the lovely sucking and snuggling sounds babies make. Thankfully, I can now hear these beautiful sounds from my grandchildren. When our daughters were young I worked part-time lecturing and demonstrating for practicals at RMIT and the University of Ballarat (now Federation University). This became quite challenging as my deafness progressed and I decided to change my career path and start my own business. My first venture was a food safety consulting and auditing business where I could work one-on-one with my clients. This overcame many of the issues I faced

as it became harder to hear. During this time I started to think carefully about how important it was to look after my hearing aids. I realised the sound from my hearing aids was affected if I was in a humid climate. When we holidayed near the beach, the sound from my hearing aids seemed quite muffled compared to when I was at home in regional Victoria. The ‘s’ and ‘t’ sounds were not as sharp and I was missing the high frequency sounds. This started my interest in developing a storage unit that would remove moisture build-up and help maintain hearing aids in good working order. It led to my second business, Alkera Plus, manufacturing the Sound-n-Dry drying aid kit for hearing aids. At the time there were a couple of kits on the market, all imported from overseas, and I started thinking about an Australian product. My priorities were creating an inexpensive kit that effectively removed moisture, did not need a power source and contained a reuseable, ‘colour-indicating’ desiccant to show when it needed replacing. The early days of production were a family affair at the kitchen table. It was certainly a slow process and, as the family will tell you, I was very fussy about presentation. Life in a hearing world became more and more difficult for me. I knew my speech was getting a bit strange especially the ‘s’ and’ t’ and throat sounds but I didn’t know how to correct this without hearing these sounds properly. Someone even asked me if I had a new set of teeth! I tried to take this light-heartedly but the reality was my speech was deteriorating quite noticeably. My family and wonderful group of friends supported me through this but I was aware I was avoiding social situations and shuddered when invited to a coffee shop, restaurant or even to see a film. I have quite a collection of phones

stories... too, I always thought there must be a better one than the one I was using. I managed reasonably well by lipreading and body language but it was hard work. I found I got tired very easily and tended to talk too much because talking was much easier than listening. I also often made comments that were completely out of context and I usually missed the punchlines of jokes. My life was definitely changing. It is easy to become depressed when you are deaf and living in a hearing world. Simple tasks like going shopping would become frustrating when I didn’t hear the person at the checkout asking if I wanted ‘cash out’ or a ‘carry bag’ because of all the background noise. I enjoy walking with friends and around this time my neck ached as much as my legs because I would turn side-on to face my friends to hear them talk while we walked. I tried a few times to learn Auslan and taught our daughters what I had learned after each lesson. Any language needs regular practice though and I soon forgot what I had learned, other than a few basics such as ‘I am very slow’ and my name. When I was 50 I had a cochlear implant that brought about an amazing change for me, my family and our lives. Even though this surgery was 10 years ago, I still find it wonderful to start the day in a silent world then have the sounds come in when I put on the speech processor. I wear a hearing aid on my other ear where I have a small level of hearing in low frequency sounds. I cannot understand speech with the hearing aid alone however wearing the hearing aid means sounds seem more natural and less ‘bionic’. The implant made my life much easier, although I did have to take it in stages to retrain my brain to sounds around me. It’s not like getting a new pair of glasses and being able to see better immediately. I was surprised how many beeping sounds occur in our daily lives which didn't happen when I first went deaf. Mobile phones, reversing trucks, smoke

detectors with low battery warnings, even the washing machine, microwave oven and iron if it was left on. I found all these sounds very confusing at first and even now it takes me a while to respond to a Skype call as it seems familiar but I don’t recognise what it means. We had a cuckoo clock in the family room and I used to tell the time by counting the number of times the cuckoo came out. Soon after having the speech processor fitted I was amazed to hear the tick of this clock from the front door. Some of the first sounds I heard after having the speech processor fitted was my laugh, my husband’s voice and the sounds of leaves rustling under my feet when we went outside. I do remember taking along a handkerchief in case I needed it as it was such a big day, but rather than bursting into tears I laughed with joy. The sound of my own voice seemed so strange. It was a wonderful experience. At first I just wanted to stay home and listen to all the sounds around me. Enjoyment of music took a lot longer and it was around six months before white noise, like the crackling sound of the radio between stations, became what I remembered as music. I now enjoy the sounds of life when I wear the implant speech processor and realise how much I missed these sounds over the 30 years that I became profoundly deaf. Birdcalls, clocks ticking, gravel under my shoes, aluminium foil, running water, wind in the trees, frog calls at night... there are so many sounds of life that we take for granted until we hear them again. For me the laughing birdcall of the kookaburra is beautiful and we often hear them where we live. This birdcall always reminds me how lucky I am to be able to hear again and was the inspiration for the imagery of my brochure for the Sound-n-Dry. In the early days building my business I wondered how it could ever be commercially viable as large multinational companies from Switzerland, USA and Germany had

“Life is 10 per cent what happens to you and 90 per cent how you respond to it.”

Lou Holtz

Leigh and Alan Tweedie

'' HQ

Leigh with grandchildren Asha and Rohan

started to import their kits to Australia. But this didn’t deter me and laboratory testing confirmed our product had a superior capacity to remove moisture. It was very satisfying when our orders were large enough to justify packaging with our own Sound-n-Dry logo and we are now distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand with interest from overseas. It hasn’t been plain sailing and it didn’t happen overnight, but I am proud of what we've achieved. Hearing HQ Apr - Jul 2015

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here to help Many not-for-profit organisations around Australia and government agencies provide valuable support, advice and information on hearing issues. Please visit www.hearingHQ.com.au to find out more about any of these organisations and to link directly to their websites. For an organisation to be considered for listing they must be a not-for-profit, charity or completely free service. INFORMATION & SERVICES ACT Deafness Resource Centre - Canberra Information, referral and advocacy services T 02 6287 4393 TTY 02 6287 4394 F 02 6287 4395 Audiological Society of Australia Inc Information on national audiological services T 03 9416 4606 F 03 9416 4607 Australian Government Hearing Services Program Government assistance eligibility information T 1800 500 726 TTY 1800 500 496 Australian Hearing Australian Government audiology clinics T 131 797 TTY 02 9412 6802 F 02 9413 3362 Better Health Channel VIC Govt funded health & medical information www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au Deaf Can:Do (formerly Royal SA Deaf Society) Services to SA deaf and hearing impaired T 08 8223 3335 TTY 08 8223 6530 F 08 8232 2217 Deafness Foundation Research, education & technology support T & TTY 03 9738 2909 F 03 9729 6583 Ear Science Institute Australia Implant Centre Help with ear, balance & associated disorders T 08 6380 4944 F 08 6380 4950 Guide Dogs SA.NT Adelaide based aural rehabilitation service T 1800 484 333 TTY 08 8203 8391 F 08 8203 8332

Tinnitus SA Impartial tinnitus information and options T 1300 789 988

Cora Barclay Centre - Adelaide Auditory-Verbal Therapy for 0-19 year olds T 08 8267 9200 F 08 8267 9222

Vicdeaf Advice and support for hard of hearing T 03 9473 1111 TTY 03 9473 1199 F 03 9473 1122

Hear and Say Centres - QLD Early intervention and cochlear implants T 07 3870 2221 F 07 3870 3998

ADVICE & SUPPORT Acoustic Neuroma Association of Australia Support and information on treatment E info@anaa.org.au T 03 9718 1131/02 4421 6963 Aussie Deaf Kids Online parent support and forum www.aussiedeafkids.org.au Australian Tinnitus Association (NSW) - Sydney Support, information & counselling services T 02 8382 3331 F 02 8382 3333 Better Hearing Australia (BHA) Hearing advice by letter, email or in person T 1300 242 842 TTY 03 9510 3499 F 03 9510 6076 Better Hearing Australia Canberra Hearing Loss Management & Hospital Kit T 02 6251 4713 BHA Tinnitus Self Help/Support Group - TAS Support group for those with tinnitus T 03 6244 5570

RIDBC (Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children) Hearing and vision impaired education & services T & TTY 1300 581 391 F 02 9871 2196 RIDBC Hear The Children Centre - Sydney Early childhood intervention for hearing impaired T 1300 581 391 F 02 9871 2196 RIDBC Matilda Rose Centre - Sydney Early childhood intervention for hearing impaired T 02 9369 1423 F 02 9386 5935 Taralye Oral Language Centre - Melbourne Early childhood intervention & advocacy T 03 9877 1300 F 03 9877 1922 Telethon Speech & Hearing - Perth Early intervention program and specialist paediatric audiology services T 08 9387 9888 F 08 9387 9889 The Shepherd Centre - NSW & ACT Early intervention and cochlear implants T 1800 020 030 F 02 9351 7880

ADVOCACY & ACCESS SERVICES

BHA Tinnitus Management Services T 1300 242 842

ACT Deafness Resource Centre T 02 6287 4393 TTY 02 6287 4394 F 02 6287 4395

HEARnet - a better understanding of hearing loss & interactive ear diagram. www.hearnet.org.au T 03 9035 5347

Broken Hill & District Hearing Resource Centre Inc T 08 8088 2228 F 08 8087 9388 www. bhhearingresourcecentre.com.au

Arts Access Victoria/Deaf Arts Network T 03 9699 8299 TTY 03 9699 7636 F 03 9699 8868

Lions Hearing Clinic Free or low cost services in Perth T 08 6380 4900 F 08 6380 4901

CICADA Australia Inc For people with or considering cochlear implants www.cicada.org.au

Lions Hearing Dogs Australia Provide hearing dogs and training to recipients T 08 8388 7836 TTY 08 8388 1297

CICADA Queensland For people with or considering cochlear implants E cicadaqld@tpg.com.au

National Relay Service Helpdesk Telephone access service for hearing impaired M-F 9am-5pm, Sydney time SMS 0416 001 350 T 1800 555 660 TTY 1800 555 630 F 1800 555 690

CICADA WA For people with or considering cochlear implants Coordinator: Lynette 08 9349 7712

Parents of Deaf Children - NSW Unbiased information, support and advocacy T 02 9871 3049 TTY 02 9871 3193 F 02 9871 3193 SCIC - Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre Gladesville, Newcastle, Canberra, Gosford, Port Macquarie, Lismore, Penrith T 1300 658 981 Telecommunications Disability Equipment Contact information for special phones: Telstra 1800 068 424 TTY 1800 808 981 F 1800 814 777 Optus 133 301 937 TTY 1800 500 002 The Deaf Society of NSW Information & services to NSW Deaf people T 1800 893 855 TTY 1800 893 885 F 1800 898 333 SMS 0427 741 420 The Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital Cochlear Implant Clinic T 03 9929 8624 F 03 9929 8625 E cic@eyeandear.org.au

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Deaf Children Australia Services for hearing impaired children T 1800 645 916 TTY 03 9510 7143 F 03 9525 2595 Hear For You Mentoring hearing impaired teens E info@hearforyou.com.au Meniereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Australia Dizziness & balance disorders support T 1300 368 818 F 03 9783 9208 Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (Aus) Inc Educational association T 02 9144 7586 F 02 9144 3936

EDUCATION Can:Do 4Kids - Adelaide Programs for deaf, blind & sensory impaired kids T 08 8298 0900 TTY 08 8298 0960 F 08 8377 1933 Catherine Sullivan Centre - Sydney Early intervention for hearing impaired children T 02 9746 6942 F 02 9764 4170

Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) T 07 3815 7600 TTY 07 3815 7602 F 07 3815 7601 Cap that! Captioned for Learning www.capthat.com.au Deafness Council Western Australia Inc T & SMS 0488 588 863 Deafness Forum of Australia T 02 6262 7808 TTY 02 6262 7809 Deaf Sports Australia T 03 9473 1191 TTY 03 9473 1154 F 03 9473 1122 Media Access Australia T 02 9212 6242 F 02 9212 6289 NMIT Centre of Excellence Vocational Education T 03 9269 1200 F 03 9269 1484

OTHER BHA Hearing Aid Bank - donate old hearing aids T 1300 242 842 T 03 9510 1577 Planet Ark - Find a battery recycler near you www.recyclingnearyou.com.au/batteries JobAccess Disabilities workplace solutions T 1800 464 800 TTY 1800 464 800 F 08 9388 7799

- Jack Baseley -

“

I’m hearing people with far greater precision

As seen on Channel 9

Listen up! New hearing aids are almost ‘superhuman’ A new hearing aid has been developed that outperforms the hearing ability of a healthy human ear.

First introduced across the country by Australian Hearing, the hearing devices, developed by Siemens, are so powerful, that for the first time, wearers can understand speech in demanding environments, better than people with normal hearing*. One of those people is retiree Jack Baseley, who volunteers as a tour guide. Yet, even with the assistance of hearing aids, he still experienced difficulties hearing voices clearly in noisy environments, until he switched to the new technologically advanced devices from Australian Hearing.

“What I noticed with the new hearing aids, is that they are so clear and much more effective in cutting out background noise. When leading a tour for example, I’ve found it a lot easier if I’m taking questions, as I’m hearing people with far greater precision. I sometimes forget I have them on!” But there’s more. Users are able to pull out their mobile phones and using an app, direct the microphones in their hearing aids, to the sounds they want to focus on, and adjust audio settings, directly stream from the television and take phone calls.

Make an appointment to trial the latest technology, or check if you are eligible for Australian Hearing services today. Call 1800 826 500 or visit hearing.com.au.

1800 826 500

hearing.com.au

Unmatched accuracy, infinite precision, for every sound environment. Phonak AudĂŠo V hearing aids running on the new AutoSense operating system accurately recognize and automatically adapt to more listening situations than ever before. Featuring our new Venture chip and a smart new algorithm, AutoSense OS precisely mixes and blends elements from multiple programs in real time to provide a seamless listening experience. AudĂŠo V is just one of many ingenious solutions from Phonak.

Simply ingenious