News and Stories
Despite being a preventable condition, noise-induced hearing loss impacts many Australians. Particularly common in the construction and manufacturing industries, noise-induced hearing loss occurs after harmful exposure to noises that are too loud. It permanently damages sensitive structures in the inner ear and can potentially cause a range of issues from tinnitus to significant deafness. Being aware of how you engage in other everyday activities – such as listening to music through headphones, mowing the lawn or going to a live concert – is also critical. “Just like your ...
It’s the summertime scent of blooming backyard frangipani trees that had 28-year-old, Chloe reminiscent of her childhood visits to Hear and Say. “It was when the Brisbane centre was in Auchenflower, and I used to collect frangpianis on my way to my appointment with my mum or dad to give to one of the audiologists as a nice surprise,” Chloe recalled. These days Chloe’s ongoing appointments at Hear and Say may not be quite so floral, but Chloe said it was those early years that had left a lasting impression on so many areas of her life. “I have loved meeting the different ...
It was a problem worth solving for maths teacher, Phil Kanowski when he noticed his students were becoming increasingly harder to hear. “I knew my hearing had deteriorated over the last few years, but I always put off getting it tested. It was one of those things that I’d learnt to ignore,” said Phil, age 55. “However, good hearing is very important to my job as a teacher and it grew more and more embarrassing having to ask students to repeat answers again and again. “My hearing loss also meant that it was easier to avoid taking part in conversations when I was out riding my ...
Time to get new hearing aids? Here are a few reasons to consider when deciding if it’s time for a re-fitting or technology upgrade. You’ve had them for over five years With people encouraged to wear their hearing aids for all waking hours, it’s no wonder that devices encounter their fair share of wear and tear. The average lifespan of a hearing aid is five to six years, typically because any parts needing repair become obsolete, or new technology becomes available. Don’t forget to keep your hearing aids maintained to keep them working well for as long as possible. Your ...
While it may not be a term you’re familiar with, sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing impairment and can affect people of all ages. Knowing what type of hearing loss you have is key for finding the best solution to meet your hearing needs, communication goals and lifestyle – and that’s where the Hear and Say Audiology team is here to help. Sensorineural hearing loss can be sudden or gradual, and occurs due to damage of the tiny hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea), or when the auditory pathways to your brain aren’t properly functioning. Specific causes ...
If you’ve noticed that it’s getting harder to follow a conversation in a noisy restaurant, or the volume on the television never seems quite loud enough, you’re not alone. With an estimated 3.6 million Australians currently living with hearing loss (Hearing Care Industry Association, 2017), it’s more important than ever to keep on top of your hearing health. One of the most common questions Hear and Say Audiologist, Georgia Cambridge said she was asked by clients was what steps they could take to improve their hearing, or how to stop an already noticeable hearing loss from ...
Katie Douglass was just a few months old when her family first brought her to Hear and Say, looking for answers to support their daughter’s recent diagnosis of hearing loss. After wearing hearing aids for several years, Katie would go on to receive her first cochlear implant at four years old, which she credits to changing her life’s trajectory. “Despite being born deaf, I live in a world full of sound where I can hear my family and friends talk and laugh, listen to music and podcasts, and enjoy other everyday sounds that people with hearing take for granted,” said Katie, now ...
It was a case of third time’s a charm for retiree, Lynne who had grown increasingly frustrated with the hearing aids she had worn on and off for years. “I have had a hearing loss for quite a long time now, and like most mature people initially didn’t want to admit it!” said Lynne, age 70. “Being a fashion-conscious female, I first wanted to try a hearing aid which was completely invisible sitting inside my ear canal. However, after I had them fitted by a local hearing aid provider, it was a total disaster – they wouldn’t stay in position and I found them painful to ...
It’s an outdated perception amongst many that hearing loss is an inevitable and untreatable part of the ageing process. Yet, the overwhelming majority of us think hearing is important to our overall quality of life (The State of Hearing Report, 2018). Hearing aids are the most common technology option for many types of hearing losses, and understanding how they work can go a long way in making an informed decision about the benefits and whether they’re right for you. Hearing aids are built to amplify your existing hearing, and when worn consistently, can help to actively stop the ...
Maia’s Story
At 9.10pm on 24 October 2013 our beautiful daughter Maia was born.
The moment of elation was short-lived as we immediately noticed her left ear was missing. I frantically looked to the medical team around me for answers but received none.
Panic set in as we waited 4 days in hospital for an ENT to explain her condition, by which point we already had all the answers from Simone, who runs the Microtia and Atresia Program at Hear and Say.
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