Welcome to the latest issue of our AudioClinic eNewsletter. I'm pleased to say that once again we have a great mix of informative and entertaining reading for you.
First of all, there's a great article about tinnitus. If you suffer from tinnitus, you'll be happy to hear that treatment can help.
Long-time client of AudioClinic and former ABC personality and author, Tim Bowden, shares his story about living with hearing loss.
Preventive health specialist, Dr Ross Walker, has a great Healthy Living Tip for you. This will be a regular feature of our eNewsletter.
Finally, you can win a fantastic book written by Tim Bowden in our Quick Quiz. Test your general knowledge and enter the draw today.
Regards,
Peter Carstensen
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is typically described as a ringing, buzzing or hissing sound in one or both ears that has no external source.
A simple example of tinnitus is the ringing you often hear inside your ears immediately after being exposed to loud noise, especially if you've moved to a quieter environment.
Generally, tinnitus is more noticeable in quiet environments and is associated with:
- Hearing loss
- Exposure to extreme noise
- Earwax build up
- Many medications
It's more common than you think
In Australia, over four million people experience tinnitus (around 1 in 5 people). Tinnitus most commonly occurs when someone has a hearing loss or has been exposed to extremely loud noise.
Treatment can help
A recent study conducted by the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), a non-profit educational organisation in the United States, found that 6 out of 10 patients reported at least some relief of their tinnitus when using hearing aids (Mental Health Weekly Digest, Feb 2009).
We also know from studies in Australia that hearing aids can help because they:
- Provide a masking effect
- Provide acoustic stimulation
- Reduce straining to hear speech
Today's technology
The type of hearing aid fitted also plays a crucial role. To some people there is still a stigma attached to wearing hearing aids, but today's high performance hearing solutions are quite unobtrusive and are very comfortable to wear.
With today's technology, we can now also deliver a broader spectrum of frequencies (or pitch), allowing us to provide stimulation to the region of the cochlear where a patient's greatest hearing loss and tinnitus is.
Real life success stories
Victorian-based audiologist, Pauline Buchan, has specialised training in the area of tinnitus management and several years experience working with people who have tinnitus.
"Many people are told there is 'nothing that can be done' or that they 'will just have to learn to live with it'," said Ms Buchan.
"This is simply not true. I have been able to assist many people to successfully manage their tinnitus and improve their quality of life. While it is true there is no cure, there are certainly many things that can be done to help," she added.
Tim Bowden enjoys some back-chat
Former ABC presenter and well-known author, Tim Bowden, has been wearing hearing aids since his early 50s.
"I have what's called 'moderate-to-severe sensorineural hearing loss', particularly in my high frequencies. It was probably caused from all the hours I spent on the rifle range in the school cadets and then doing national service in the Australian Army."
I started with analogue hearing aids and of course found them a great help. But I can tell you, things have not got better with my hearing, only worse! What has improved, though, is the sensational developments in hearing technologies.
Recently, I graduated from digital 'Epoq' hearing instruments to 'Agil', with great results. These clever new digital computers (which is what they are) behind my ears can work out whether someone is speaking to me, say, from the left in a noisy cafe. They then reduce the noise in my right ear and boost the speech in my left, so I can now hear more clearly in noisy restaurants and in the car.
I've also got 'ConnectLine' so I can have the sound from my TV or MP3 player streamed directly to my ears. It's incredibly clear and rich.
Hearing loss - what's that? The 'Agils' have given back what sounds to me like normal hearing. In fact because of this clever technology, I think I do better in noisy places than non-hearing impaired people!"
AudioClinic has helped thousands of Australian's like Tim. Hear more success stories from our clients today.
Dr Ross Walker's Healthy Living Tips
As a doctor who's passionate about 'preventive healthcare', I've developed simple 'rules' for having a long, healthy life.
The Universal Eating Plan is really based on the fact that diets don't work. What I mean is this: if you have a special diet for a short period of time, at best it will only work for the time you follow it. What is far more sensible is to have a 'universal' dietary plan that you can follow most of the time.
1. Try to cut back on what you take in
Look at what you are consuming throughout the day and get rid of unnecessary food. Try and avoid snacking, especially on empty calories such as biscuits, cakes and confectionery.
2. Cut back on the size of your meals
Use smaller plates and don't have second helpings. And you certainly don't need dessert on most occasions!
3. Get rid of synthetic food
Forget about the GI factor and think more about the HI factor - the 'human interference' factor. The more food is processed, the worse it is for you. If it is in a box or a container with a use-by date, it's probably not very good for you, despite the advertising hype. Takeaway food is almost always even worse!
4. If you can kill it and eat it straight away, or grow it in your backyard, it's good for you
After that, all bets are off! What I am saying is that the more natural the food is, the better it is for you. The majority of meals should be based around vegetables or fruit. In addition, each week I suggest only one serving of red meat, six eggs, plus regular serves of dairy, chicken, fish, nuts and extra virgin olive oil.
5. Apply the '19 out of 21' rule
Try and stick to the above regimen for 19 out of 21 meals a week. You can relax the rules for two meals a week, so you can still go out to a restaurant or cafe without any guilt. It is what you do to your body for most of the time that's most important.
If you focus on this eating plan for the vast majority of your life, and combine it with regular exercise, you'll come to appreciate that this is one of the best ways to maintain good, robust health and vitality.
View the full Dr Ross Walker video on preventative healthcare.
Quick Quiz
This competition closes midnight 25th August 2010
Book your free hearing assessment with AudioClinic today
Our friendly and professional hearing care clinicians pride themselves on treating every client as an individual. We’re confident we can help you towards clearer hearing and better communication where you need it most. We are also accredited by the government to provide free or subsidised services and treatment to eligible clients.
With over 180 Clinics throughout Australia, there’s bound to be one near you. Click here or call 1800 057 220 to be put in touch with your local AudioClinic.