19August2015

Hearing Awareness Week

Volunteers are organising and participating in events in all
parts of the nation because they are passionate about
spreading the message that hearing is precious and fragile

From the Office of Hearing Services

Increases in the number of Australians with hearing loss,
advances in technology, and changing methods of service
delivery will impact the provision of hearing services into the
future.

Review of Disability Standards

Accessible Public Transport

for

A government review assessed how accessible public

transport systems are for people with disability and makes a
number of recommendations to improve efficiency and
effectiveness.

Nasal balloon
A simple procedure can help reduce the impact of hearing
loss in children and potentially avoid unnecessary ear-tube
surgery and antibiotics.

Magnetic pulses to the brain deliver relief

for tinnitus patients
Researchers have found that magnetic
significantly improved tinnitus symptoms.

stimulation

We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their

continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them
and their cultures, and to elders both past and present. We acknowledge the
challenge that faces Indigenous leaders and families to overcome the unacceptably
high levels of ear health issues among first Australians.

Hearing is precious and fragile

Sunday 23 Saturday 29 August 2015

From the Deafness Forum chairman

This month during Hearing Awareness Week, volunteers are organising and participating in
events in all parts of the nation because they are passionate about spreading the message
that hearing is precious and fragile.
I congratulate everyone for playing their part in making a better life for millions of our
citizens. I thank the Australian Governments Office of Hearing Services for its ongoing
interest and financial support.
The federal parliament is in session this week in Canberra. It has provided an opportunity
for me to meet with national leaders and make our case on issues of concern. On areas of
risk in a potential privatisation of Australian Hearing and the planned transfer of government
hearing services for vulnerable groups to the NDIS, I spoke to Senators Rachel Siewert and
Jan McLucas; and with the Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health Nick Champion.
I spoke with the Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioner The Hon Susan Ryan AO
about our recommendations for improvements to the Employment Access Fund.
I met with the board of First Voice and attended its 'Power of Speech' event at Parliament
House. First Voice is an alliance of organisations that was established to lead and
advocate for world-class early intervention services for children. I also attended a
presentation to parliamentarians hosted by the Hearing Care Industry Association.
Throughout the month and during Hearing Awareness Week we are asking our elected
leaders to make hearing health a National Health Priority in Australia.
Best wishes,
David Brady

David is photographed with Senator Jan McLucas and Nick Champion MP

Community Partners in Hearing Awareness Week

Albury Community Health Centre
Armidale Community Health Centre
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
Australian Hearing
Ballina Community Health
Bangalow Community Health Centre
Bega Cheese
Bell Bay Aluminium
Bentleigh Bayside Community Health
Better Hearing Australia Central Coast
BlueScopeSteel
Broughton House Day Centre
BUPA North Rocks Aged Care Facility
Burnie Brae Day Respite Services
Caboolture Hospital
Campbelltown Quota Club
Catherine Sullivan Centre
Catholic Education Office
Caulfield Hospital
Chevron Ear Health Program
Child, Youth and Community Health Service Townsville
Chum Creek Primary School
Consolidated Minerals Woodie Operations
Cora Barclay Centre
Cromer Public School
Cygnet Community Health Centre
De La Salle College Hearing Support
Deafness Foundation
Department of Health Aged and Community Care
Flinders University Speech Pathology and Audiology Association
Great Southern Aboriginal Health Service
Gugan Gulwan Youth Aboriginal Corporation
Guide Dogs Assoc of SA & NT

Hearing Link Tasmania

Maryborough Community Information Centre
Mater Health Services
Medibank Perth
Mount View Public School
Mudgeeraba Creek State School
Murwillumbah Community Health Centre
Murwillumbah Public School
Museum Victoria
Nepean/Blue Mountains Community Health Centre
Nickel West - Kwinana Nickel Refinery
Office of Hearing Services
Orange Quota Club
Parramatta Community Health Centre
Quota clubs
Rio Tinto Coal & Allied
Rio Tinto Iron Ore
Rosanna Golf Links Primary School
Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital
Royal Darwin Hospital
Royal Randwick Racecourse
Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital
SHHH Australia
South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation
St Bernards Primary Upper Mt Gravatt
St Margaret's Rehabilitation Hospital
St Mary's Primary School
Sunshine Coast Private Hospital
Tamworth Community Health Service
Tasmania Cochlear Implant Clinic, Royal Hobart Hospital
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman
Thales Australia - Land & Air Systems / Armaments & Ammunition
The Children's Hospital at Westmead
The Junction Neighbourhood Centre
The Royal Childrens Hospital - Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
Tomaree Neighbourhood Centre
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
WA Institute for Deaf Education
Wirra Wirra Vineyards
Woree State High School
Young Health Service

Hearing Awareness Week!!!

I so, so wish I had come across it earlier! Excessive noise from one event has potentially
ruined the rest my life. I absolutely had no idea of the danger. Even your publications
doesn't get close to what has happened to me and what can happen.
This is what I thought pre May 9th 2015. "Loud noise will result in possible ear damage
which makes sounds harder to hear due to reduced sound sensitivity." I went to an
indoor rock concert as was up the front. I seen this band 3 times in the last 3 years but
nothing for the prior 12 years. Previous years I was middle of the crowd but this time I was
up the front.
Both of my ears were ringing after the concert. High pitched ringing in both ears by biased
to the left. Start of my hearing decline although unknown at the time. The noise (which I
later found out is called tinnitus - never had heard of that before) changed all the time. I
had and still do have ringing, crickets, roaring, pulsing whines etc in my left and right ear. I
was always playing with my ears trying for some temporary relief. Nothing worked. Though
my euchastian tubes might be not opening. I had a hearing test sensitivity to tones test
which came back 'normal' for a 40 year old. My ears were full of pressure and sore and still
are partially 3 months later. The pressure in my ears was recorded as being in the normal
range. I had this audiology test repeated elsewhere with the same result. The ENT told me
to get used to the pain and noise. Now for a reason I don't understand nor does the
scientific world my right ear has started up a new tone which is driving me mad just as I was
mentally getting a little better.
At times I have cracking of the ears from swallowing or moving my head, headaches at the
sides of my head, electrical tingling burning feelings in a few places around the head and at
from what I presume is the location of the inner ear, physically warm ear canal which in
turn feeds my nausea, anxiety, stress, depression, struggle to concentrate, social talks are
difficult and tiring and my interest is gone from everything in life. On top of this hyperacusis
started after the first month. Cutlery chinks are painful the same as washing the dishes
(which I wore earmuffs for a while until I read it was a bad thing to do) and sometimes when
my kids spoke my hearing did the same thing. That dull sharp pain and slightly distorted
hearing. I ended up having to instruct my children to behave differently around me which
breaks my heart. I found noise exposure to normal 'going out' places like the shopping
centre or small gathering of people talking ramped up my tinnitus for the next two days. I
stand away from everyone else at my two son's football and soccer games. I don't socialise
anymore. Of the friends I have told some have cut me off and others I have avoided but
most can't understand what I am going through. I had no idea this could happen and there
is nothing that can be done medically to help my ears that I have been advised of by the GP
doctors or ENT doc. My world is at a low volume now (TV, radio etc) but so I can get to
sleep I often need cicada sounds to mask the noise so I can get to sleep.

I have contacted various government agencies and although I thought I was protected in a
license premise it doesn't cover the sound or its level. I am gob smacked in this day and
age there is absolutely no laws or warnings in place. I put my faith into attending a paid
concert at a licensed venue I was under their protection hence the darkness of the
place and the alcohol availability. There wasn't a loud sound level disclosure on the concert
ticket nor at the venue itself. Nothing to warn you it was loud enough to put everyone in
possible danger of damage. No ears plugs were recommended, seen or handed out. No
warning signs with the max or average dB reading or tell you your ears should only be
exposed for 15 minutes etc. No recommendations to say the quieter area was at the back
of the room. I wasn't aware of the speaker layout in the dark and I didn't know that fact of
the layout at the particular venue until now. I am not a meat head and I would consider
myself having average IQ and education level. I would be called a no risk taker by people
that know me. I would never bungee jump, jump out of a plane, hang glide, motorbike ride,
try illegal drugs and yet this was a real serious risk I was not even aware of. I can't believe I
am protected in a shopping mall slipping on wet tiles but nothing for damaging my hearing
permanently.
The emotion of me listening to my favourite band in person overcome my feeling of 'this is
too loud' and the alcohol I consumed may have dulled my response. But I don't see that as
my fault but I am so dark and angry at myself now as I am the one that has always wore
earmuffs using the lawnmower. Most people would have been excited to be there and
Australian law should be there to either control the sound levels, have adequate warnings
on tickets and signs at the venue plus an announcement over the speakers to announce
the act will be loud at x amount of dBa, stay away from the speakers which are here here
here and here, get earplugs from the staff, leave it if you don't want to risk your hearing.
Those simple and cheap things to do would avoid a lifetime of now misery for me.
I want no-one else to go through what I have and possibly for ever. I don't want to even
type "likely" as this is 24/7 torture. If there is anyway I can help get the word out let me
know. Who in the government would listen? I think most people in my position would just
disappear off the radar and therefore the record. If I was bitten by a shark on the other
hand........ records are kept, some people pity you and you are likely to make a full or at
least recovery. Hearing doesn't recover and I have got the most cruellest version of noise
induced damage there is from just the one event. How many other poor people are
affected across the country in one year?
Crazy to think this is Australia in 2015...... I have avoided or covered up the sun from the
public publicity, never smoked, ate right and exercised, wore seatbelts in the car, aware
of asbestos etc. From the private sector there is money in hearing aids and no money in
preventing hearing damage. This therefore needs the government.
David Stone, aged 40 from SA

Office of Hearing Services

The Department of Healths Office of Hearing Services (the Office) administers the
Australian Governments Hearing Services Program (the program), which aims to reduce
the incidence and consequences of avoidable hearing loss in Australia, and provide access
to high quality hearing services and devices for eligible people.
The Office is once again proud to sponsor Hearing Awareness Week. The Office will host a
stand at the ACT Deafness Resource Centres hearing Expo at the Hellenic Club, Woden,
ACT on Wednesday 26 August during Hearing Awareness Week. Visitors will be able to
access information on the Hearing Services Program and on Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander ear health.
The Hearing Services Program consists of three components:
1) The Voucher Program, which provides fully and partially subsidised hearing services,
including hearing aids if necessary, to eligible clients.
Clients are predominantly
pensioners, and services are provided from a national network of approximately 260
contracted service providers, including Australian Hearing Services (the Government
provider), and from nearly 2,800 sites.
2) Community Service Obligations (CSO), which provides specialised hearing services to
children and young adults under 26 years, adults with complex needs and some Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This component of the program is delivered by
Australian Hearing Services.
3) The Office also supports research into hearing health and hearing loss prevention.
Current research funding is provided to over 30 projects, primarily through the National
Health and Medical Research Council and the National Acoustic Laboratories.
Other Office activities
The Office also investigates and resolves complaints relating to the program, undertakes
audit and compliance activities, and provides hearing related policy advice to Government
Health Ministers.
The Office website www.hearingservices.gov.au provides easier and faster access to the
program and to program information. Clients can check their eligibility, apply for the
program, search for a service provider, and print a medical certificate directly through the
website. The website also contains extensive information on hearing matters, including on
the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
NDIS and the program
It is anticipated that many program clients will transfer to the NDIS by 2019-20, when the
scheme rolls out nationally. Eligibility for the NDIS is assessed by National Disability
Insurance Agency Planners, taking into consideration the persons age, level of permanent
hearing loss, and the impact that this has on their ability to communicate or interact socially

without support, including assistive technology. Currently, NDIS participants who require
hearing services are referred to the program as Voucher or CSO clients.
The future
Increases in the number of Australians with hearing loss, advances in technology, and
changing methods of service delivery will impact the provision of hearing services into the
future. The Government remains committed to supporting vulnerable Australians who are
affected by hearing loss.
FAQs on the NDIS interface and transition
http://hearingservices.gov.au/wps/portal/hso/site/about/national%20disability%20insurance%20sche
me/ohs-and-ndis/!ut/p/a1/tZHLboMwEEV_hS6ytDwQHu4S5VVIA6qatsAmMsYEt8Qmwamav6RsumiabLo7GZ0debOXFzgDBeSfoot1UJJ2g594W-WT55vRAsyWs6hzBMXh7juetACvgNF7hgUne6wXnTK4spqbnUIiOZSvYCBq14yOgpTqaoTyDrUr0tBSt0CdLyP54oJJxq2cNH8Sq6RGVFZJGNfA7JiqcVz6rg6AMUA
Ceg9yKEURsu0TAgfMKCK891xjOjWH4pUK46p4LEvDOggsrcuMh2DhkGj7cu3aUzqIZhJPFOl6QyF
lMPfx841GXgWu4GRj_9QbzRvG3xehCXcI9Evj7F_SNYucw2qy2hr_VDdIyFrh7BoQzn6Aut2OjE_oo04SREtyGrfbu28ZTQt/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

The Australian Government released the final report and Government response on
the Review of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport.
The Review and the Governments response can be found on the Department of
Infrastructure and Regional Developments website:
https://infrastructure.gov.au/transport/disabilities/review/2012.aspx
The Review assessed how accessible public transport systems are for people with disability
and makes a number of recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 for all modes of transport,
including aviation.

A simple procedure using a nasal balloon can help reduce the impact of hearing loss in
children and potentially avoid unnecessary ear-tube surgery and antibiotics, according to a
new study.
The study, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, looked at children who
have a history of otitis media with effusion, commonly known as "glue ear."
Otitis media with effusion is an inflammatory disease affecting the middle ear. It is often
associated with a viral infection. Children who develop otitis media, see a thick build-up of
fluid in the middle ear, which makes hearing difficult.
There are few symptoms when it first starts, and parents typically only seek medical help
when their child begins to develop hearing problems. This is concerning to many parents,
as it may interfere with language acquisition, behaviour and education.
Treating otitis media with effusion is tricky, with about a third of cases showing recurrence,
the study said. Treatment options include ventilation tube surgery, antibiotics, steroids and
antihistamines. In many cases, the problem will naturally resolve itself with time. But for
some extreme cases surgery is the only effective treatment.
The study also noted that antibiotics are largely ineffective and "resistance to them poses a
major threat to public health."
The studys lead author, Dr. Ian Williamson, said auto-inflation is an ideal treatment for
standard cases as it is non-surgical and relatively inexpensive.
"We think it's well worth trying it, because there simply aren't any effective treatments other
than surgery," he told CTVNews.ca in a phone interview from the U.K.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/low-cost-nasal-balloon-procedure-can-help-treat-children-shearing-loss-study-1.2489452

Magnetic pulses to the brain deliver relief

for tinnitus patients
Researchers have found that magnetic stimulation significantly improved tinnitus
symptoms.
In the largest U.S. clinical trial of its kind funded by the Veterans Affairs (VA) Rehabilitation
Research and Development Service, researchers at the VA Portland Medical Center and
Oregon Health & Science University found that transcranial magnetic stimulation
significantly improved tinnitus symptoms for more than half of study participants.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 15 percent of
Americans experience some degree of tinnitus. Currently, there are no proven treatments
available. So, patients with the condition often develop coping strategies to manage their
reaction to tinnitus.

Military veterans are at greater risk of developing the condition. Tinnitus is the most
prevalent service connected disability in the VA health system. Study participants were a
mix of veterans and non-veterans.
Researchers used a system that generates a cone-shaped magnetic field that penetrates
the scalp and skull to interact with brain tissue. The higher the stimulation intensity, the
deeper the magnetic field can penetrate and affect neural activity. Currently, the Food and
Drug Administration has approved transcranial magnetic stimulation only for treatment of
depression.
A significant number of participants who had tinnitus for more than 20 years were pleased
to receive some relief from the treatment. A larger clinical trial will be conducted to refine
protocols for the eventual clinical use of the approach for tinnitus.

Coming soon your go to resource for communication technology

For people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired, communicating with the
broader community can be frustrating and difficult and can lead many to withdraw and
become socially isolated. It can also limit options to work and study.
With advances in technology, the ability to communicate more easily held promise. But the
information on what would suit people in different situations was difficult to find, absent,
complicated or in an inaccessible language or format. People wanted the power to do their
own searching and find trustworthy information on technologies (both high and low-tech)
that they could integrate into their day. It was also important to have the tech support they
needed to get started once a choice was made.
There are millions of people in Australia right now who find communication a challenge.
There are hundreds of technologies available that can help. There are thousands of peers
who are trailblazing in the use of these technologies with experiences, product reviews and
tips to share. Powered by Conexu. Made by the community. Here is Techfinder.org.au

http://www.aamhl.org/joomla15/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=53

This week is BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS WEEK

Having just finished university, 25 year-old Rebecca Sciroli had her sights set on becoming
an arts therapist. Until her stepfather brutally bashed her with a hammer, resulting in
multiple skull fractures and a severe brain injury.
"I just remember the blows from the hammer raining down on my head, and screaming
'why, why, why are you doing this to me?' she recalls. "All he said was 'it's the only way'".
Years on from the attack, Rebecca still lives in the constant pain of spasticity caused by
paralysis on her right side. And due to the brain injury's effects on her thinking, planning
and organisation, "I'm constantly challenged by normal, everyday situations - just going
anywhere, getting to places on time."
"Every year in Australia, around 150 women are hospitalised with a brain injury due to an
assault by their partner," says Nick Rushworth Executive Officer of the peak disability
advocacy organisation, Brain Injury Australia.
"Given 1 in every 6 women report having been subjected to family violence since the age of
15, hospitalisations are bound to be the tip of an iceberg."
International evidence indicates over 90 percent of women using family violence refuges
have sustained head injuries, with nearly 1 in 10 saying they had been hit in the head over
20 times in the past year.
Based at St. Vincent's Hospital on the border of Sydney's Kings Cross, neurosurgeon Dr.
Richard Parkinson knows first-hand the toll violence takes on the brain. And for the last 8
years, he's been treating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from remote areas in an
outpatient clinic he established at Royal Darwin Hospital.
"The rates of brain injury due to assault among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
are around 70 times that of other women," he says. "In some communities, this kind of
violence is just rife, it's rampant."
Watch and read the report on ABC Television.

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2015/s4292323.htm

Annual General Meeting 2015

The Deafness Forum of Australia Annual General Meeting will be held in Sydney on 28
November.
Members may move a Resolution for consideration at the AGM.
The member proposing the resolution will be a financial member of Deafness Forum at the
time of the AGM.
Send your Resolution to the company secretary by close of business on 30 September.
Email: info@deafnessforum.org.au
Post: Deafness Forum of Australia, Open Systems House, 218 Northbourne Ave., Braddon
ACT 2612
What is a resolution?
A formal expression of opinion or intention agreed on by a formal meeting, typically after
taking a vote.
Nominations will be called soon for positions on the board of directors that will become
vacant at the AGM. For further information, contact the company secretary.

Know someone who might like to receive One in Six?

Send an email to info@deafnessforum.org.au
Deafness Forum encourages organisations to be deafness friendly. In planning meetings and events, choose venues that
have reliable hearing loops, and add real time captions and interpreters to meet the communication access needs of the 4
million Australians we represent.
Items in Deafness Forum communications may incorporate or summarise views, standards or recommendations of third
parties or comprise material contributed by third parties. Such third party material is assembled in good faith, but does not
necessarily reflect the considered views of Deafness Forum, or indicate commitment to a particular course of action.
Deafness Forum makes no representation or warranty about the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any
third party information.