better hearing australia the national spotlight · 9.45am teachers training manual update – shona...
TRANSCRIPT
Better Hearing Australia
The National Spotlight Placing the Focus on Hearing Loss Better Hearing Australia (National) Inc. www.betterhearingaustralia.org.au July 2015 Edition 6
Better Hearing Australia National Spotlight -
Edition 6, July 2015
Welcome to the July 2015 Edition of the Better Hearing Australia’s The National
Spotlight. In this Edition you will find –
Page 2 – 3 Message from BHA National (Inc.) President
Page 4 – 6 The 67th National Better Hearing Australia Conference in WA
Page 7 New Vice-Patron for BHA Sydney Branch
Page 7 Call for Nominations for 2015 Illingworth Award
Page 8 Congratulations Sr Maureen Hodge RSJ
Page 9 Cooperative Research Centres Association -
Excellence in Innovation Award
Page 10 National BHA Scholarship Recipient
Page 11 My Story – Gaylene Dale
Page 12 Salt Free Diet Page 13 Sound of Silence
Page 14 What is Adult Education .. Who is an Adult Educator?
Page 15 – 2O News from our BHA Branches – Keeping in Touch Nationally
Page 21 Your Better Hearing Australia – Contact Us
IMPORTANT DATE:
Better Hearing Australia 67th National Conference in Perth, October 16th – 17th 2015
BHA is a national consumer led organisation, assisting all people with hearing loss. As
a national body we work together through our Branches to deliver supportive services,
and promote awareness and advocacy in Australia.
Opinions expressed in the BHA National Spotlight do not necessarily represent those of Better Hearing Australia (National) Inc. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement by Better Hearing Australia (National) Inc. or its Branches.
PAGE 1 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
The Better Hearing Australia National Spotlight is the official publication of BETTER HEARING AUSTRALIA (NATIONAL) INC., a National not for profit
Incorporated Association with branches and members in each Australian State. We assist people in Australia with a hearing impairment and work to
enhance wellbeing by developing good communication and life solutions through the provision of education, support and advocacy. Should you wish to
be a financial member of Better Hearing Australia Inc., please contact your branch in your State. Details are on the last page of this publication.
Better Hearing Australia (National) Inc.
Message from BHA National Inc. President,
Sara Duncan
Hearing loss is a deeply personal issue. No two experiences are the same. With the impact being personally felt
by individuals, their families and their communities. It can therefore be difficult to be able to speak on behalf of
such a diverse part of the Australian community.
However what I have found is that while each person’s experience is individual we can find common themes of
social isolation, disappointment in limitations of the devices professed to solved their hearing loss, frustration at
significant service gaps and poorer health outcomes which lead to great costs for our health system.
These commonalities of experience provide a clear picture of the policy failures is the area of hearing health and
the services we provide to the one in six Australians who have a hearing loss.
As Better Hearing Australia branches we are independent hearing management services helping people with a
hearing loss navigate their way through life. As the National Board we provide positive advocacy and a national
voice to end discrimination and increase opportunity for Australians with a hearing loss.
Together we can build a better life for Australians with a hearing loss.
It has been a period of great opportunity and challenge for us all over the first part of 2015. It is with great
enthusiasm that I look forward to our Perth Conference. Better Hearing Australia (WA), has been working
around the clock to finalise our conference program.
We have decided to move the conference to two day program across Friday and Saturday. This allows us to have
the AGM and BHA Branch Session on Friday, giving member’s time to socialise and meet with the Board prior to
us all leaving Perth. This will also give members from the east coast opportunity to depart on the Saturday night,
should they wish, and reduce the cost of their trip. We all hope you will enjoy the program.
I would personally like to highlight the enormous contribution of Julie Edmonds in bringing to life this important
event in the BHA calendar. She is truly a treasure and highlights all Better Hearing Australia stands for.
While we have much to be excited about there remains the challenges of being a small organisation in a shifting
funding and policy environment. How we face these challenges are foremost in my mind and my board
colleagues.
All our board meetings are focusing on how we address these challenges and create a stronger organisation. The
most important action we have undertaken as a board has been the development of our new Strategic Plan. I
thank all of our members who assisted with feedback and input into this important process. We have four
strategic goals which translate to a number of key actions which we are busily working towards.
Our strategic goals are:
1. Awareness Raising 2. Capacity Building 3. Research 4. Financial Sustainability
The finalised strategic plan will be distributed to all members shortly.
PAGE 2 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Another key aspect of strengthening how we all approach the future is ensuring we participate effectively in the
transition of Office of Hearing Services to the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and how we advocate for
improved services for those not covered by this scheme. We have been keeping members updated with our
activities in this area and will continue to do so.
I would encourage all our Branches to register for information through the Office of Hearing Service website
www.hearing.gov.au. I would also encourage you all to feed through to me your experiences and ideas.
We continue to take every opportunity to raise awareness about Better Hearing Australia and the issues
associated with hearing loss. We have developed our Stakeholder Engagement Plan, which is enabling us to
concentrate on building our profile with government, the media, other key stakeholder groups and the
community. Anyone wishing to discuss this plan can contact me directly.
Our new website has been finished. Thank you all for your patience and input. You will be emailed a link and I
look forward to adding any content you may have. I am particularly keen for local content for the upcoming
events section.
Branches will be receiving annual membership and capitation communication from our Treasure, Jeanette
Durlak during July, I encourage you to contact her with any questions.
The National Board has been working hard to improve some of our governance processes, particularly in the area
of risk management and financial procedures. We look forward to sharing these with you in October.
I would encourage members from around the country to consider joining the National Board. Strengthening our
national presence, cooperation and governance will be vital to ensure we are a strong organisation as we move
forward.
I would like to thank all of my board colleagues for their hard work and support. We all look forward to seeing as
many of you as possible in October, if not before.
I am travelling between Adelaide, Melbourne and my new home in Sydney over the next few months. I am
hoping to travel around NSW and to Queensland and have as many phone conversations as I can. I look forward
to meeting as many of you as I can.
I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the work you do making life better for those who have a hearing
loss, it is definitely a special gift.
Your president
Sara Duncan
PAGE 3 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
2015 Better Hearing Australia 67th National Conference
‘Better Hearing for a Sound Future’ Fremantle, Western Australia, October 16th – 17th 2015
PROGRAM Friday 16 October, 2015 9.00am REGISTRATIONS OPEN
9.30am WELCOME AND OFFICIAL OPENING OF CONFERENCE – Sara Duncan, BHA National President
9.45am TEACHERS TRAINING MANUAL UPDATE – Shona Fennell, BHA SA
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am TUTORS’ HEARING LOSS MANAGEMENT SESSION – Barney Clarkson, BHA WA
11.30am EFFECTIVE CLASS MANAGEMENT AND DISCUSSION – BHA Branch Representatives
12.00noon REDISCOVERING MUSIC PROGRAM – Sue Daw, BHA Canberra
12.30pm Lunch
1.30pm NEW BHA SOURCED SOFTWARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE – Michelle Tan + John Novak, BHA WA
2.00pm NDIS OPPORTUNITIES - Sara Duncan - BHA National President
2.30pm BHA BRANCH SESSION – National BHA Board
3.00pm Afternoon Tea
3.30pm BHA BRANCH SESSION continues – National BHA Board
4.30pm BETTER HEARING AUSTRALIA INC. NATIONAL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
5.00pm Close
Saturday 17 October, 2015 8.30am – 9.00am REGISTRATIONS OPEN
9.00am WELCOME TO WESTERN AUSTRALIA - Julie Edmonds, President BHA WA Branch
9.15am WEST AUSTRALIAN DEAF ARTS SIGNING CHOIR PERFORMANCE ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow’
9.30am CONDUCTIVE DEAFNESS IN ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIA – A SNAPSHOT
Paul Higginbotham, CEO Ear Bus Foundation
10.00am CLOSING THE GAP – TISSUE ENGINEERING NEW EAR DRUMS
Clinical Professor Harvey Coates AO
10.30am Morning Tea
11.00am NEED AN AUDIOLOGIST? WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW!
Elaine Melville, Vice President Independent Audiologists Australia
12noon NEW WAYS TO HELP AUSTRALIANS STAY IN TOUCH – NATIONAL RELAY SERVICE
Annabel Vasquez, Education Co-ordinator (WA). Complex Communications Specialist (National)
Drisana Levitzke-Gray, Young Australian of the Year 2015, and
Deaf Sector Community Networking Officer National Relay Service
12.30pm Lunch
1.15pm CONFERENCE HYPOTHETICAL -
WILL THE DEAF COMMUNITY NO LONGER EXIST IN 3 GENERATIONS WITH GENETIC ENGINEERING ?
Facilitator – Barry MacKinnon, President Deafness Council WA
Panel Members – Clinical Professor Harvey Coates AO
Dr Stephen Rodrigues
Consumer and Professionals TBA
2.00pm EMPOWERING DESIGNS: LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD - Michelle Tan
2.30pm SIGNING ON AT LAST
Dr Karen Bontempo – Shenton College Deaf Education Centre
Patricia Levitzke-Gray – W.A. Deaf Society
3.00pm ENDING THE ISOLATION: RESOURCING AND SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN AGED CARE WITH ACQUIRED DUAL SENSORY LOSS - Angela Wills, Deaf Blind Consultant - Senses Australia
3.30pm Afternoon Tea
4.00pm HEARING – THE 10th
NATIONAL HEALTH PRIORITY IN AUSTRALIA
David Brady, Chairman Deafness Forum Australia
4.30pm A FAIRER HEARING - Sara Duncan and Michele Barry, BHA Vic
5.00pm Close
7.00pm Dr Harry Blackmore Conference Dinner
******** TIMES AND SPEAKERS MAY VARY AT TIME OF CONFERENCE ******** PAGE 4 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
REGISTRATION
2015 Better Hearing Australia 67th National Conference ‘Better Hearing for a Sound Future’
The Esplanade Hotel, Fremantle, Western Australia, October 16th – 17th 2015
REGISTRATIONS CLOSE AUGUST 31ST 2015
SECTION A – Personal Details SECTION B – Partner’s Details
TITLE __________________________________________ TITLE _____________________________________
FIRST NAME ______________________________________ FIRST NAME _______________________________
SURNAME _____________________________________ SURNAME _________________________________
BHA BRANCH ____________________________________ CONTACT + OTHER DETAILS TAKEN AS SECTION A
POSTAL ADDRESS __________________________________ PREFERRED NAME FOR BADGE ________________
SUBURB/TOWN ___________________________________ __________________________________________
STATE _______________ POSTCODE __________________ DIETARY REQUIREMENTS – Please Advise -
TELEPHONE __( )_________________________________ __________________________________________
MOBILE __________________________________________ __________________________________________
EMAIL ___________________________________________ Registration Fees - Please see SECTION C
PREFERRED NAME FOR BADGE _______________________ PLEASE KEEP A COPY OF YOUR REGISTRATION
_________________________________________________ ACCOMMODATION
DELEGATE ____ TUTOR ____ MEMBER ____ VISITOR _____ Accomodation arrangements are your responsibility.
DIETARY REQUIREMENTS – Please Advise - THE ESPLANADE HOTEL, FREMANTLE – being the
_________________________________________________ Venue, is offering BHA members a $220/night rate.
_________________________________________________ Consider alternatives - www.wotif.com or
SECTION C – Registrations Fees www.HotelsCombined.com and similar for
REGISTRATIONS CLOSE AUGUST 31, 2015 Fremantle deals. As the date draws closer you may
Please Circle Appropriate Option – find good deals in Fremantle near the Venue.
Registration Type – Member Non-Member Fremantle is on the train line, some people may
Early Bird (closes 31st July) $255 $285 wish to consider accommodation in other suburbs.
Late Bird (after 31st July) $275 $295 Your participation is important to us, please
**** Includes Conference Dinner **** contact the WA Branch for advice if you find
DAILY ATTENDANCE ONLY accommodation choices a barrier to attending.
Day Attendee Friday $95 $100 [email protected]
Day Attendee Saturday $95 $100
Conference Dinner $85 $95
SECTION D – PAYMENT OPTIONS CANCELLATION POLICY
Payment due for 1 Person $ ____________ Registration cancellations must be in writing.
Payment due for 2nd Person $ ____________ Cancellations after 31/8 will incur a $50 fee.
TOTAL PAYMENT DUE $ ____________ No refunds will be available after 15/09/2015.
Please attach a cheque for total payment, Thank you for your understanding.
Payable to Better Hearing Australia WA Branch
Post to – PO Box 347, Floreat WA 6014
OR
Direct Deposit to Westpac Bank –
BSB: 036-001 Account: 539440
With your name as the description.
ALL REGISTRATION DOCUMENTS MUST BE –
EMAILED TO - [email protected]
OR POSTED TO - PO BOX 347, FLOREAT WA 6014
PAGE 5 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
BHA National Conference 2015,
not to be missed !
The Western Australian National BHA Conference is being held in the year of the
for BHA in WA. There are 2 days of interesting and thought 70th Anniversary
provoking speakers and sessions. West Australian Deaf Arts will be entertaining
us, and the WA Branch look forward to hosting this 67 th BHA National Conference
and Dr Harry Blackmore Conference Dinner.
Expect to be entertained, inspired, engaged, challenged, and participate in an
experience unlike any other.
Hear from the National Relay Service on their latest communication options.
Ear Bus Foundation will give us a snapshot of conductive deafness in Aboriginal Australia. A Hypothetical session will
see a Panel of Professionals in the field, consumers and audience participation. Professor Harvey Coates AO will
speak of research into tissue engineering new ear drums. Michelle Tan will discuss the importance of having
resources to support the social and emotional development of young deaf children so they are empowered to live a
well-balanced life, and how interactive media can play a role in this empowerment. More importantly, empowering
the deaf children to have a say in what goes into a design so we can discover what is truly important to them and
their perspectives.
Regulation of audiology has become of increasing interest to the public, one in six of whom experience hearing loss
themselves – and many more who are affected by disrupted communication in workplaces, families and
communities that results from even one person within any group having difficulties hearing. Vice President
Independent Audiologists Australia, Elaine Melville, will speak on this and the close association between for profit
medical technologies such as implantable or wearing hearing devices. She will discuss the careful professionalism
that prevents clinical judgements being influenced by potential provider gain which has also avoided regulation to
date. Ms Melville stated the past decade has seen an explosion in business interest in selling hearing devices to the
so-called “baby boomers” with commercial interests hidden behind reasons for business ownership such as an
insufficient number of professionally qualified audiologists to meet needs. The world of audiology has been replaced
by “hearing healthcare”, to the advantage of businesses and multinationals. The public remains confused and
unprotected as regards who is qualified or not to provide audiological services. Commissions, sales targets and other
incentives are known to exist but are seldom disclosed under arrangements that allow professional associations to
self-regulate their members and distance themselves from business arrangements. I am sure all of us look forward
to this session.
Other topics close to our heart will be the Aged Care and Acquired Dual Sensory Loss by Senses Australia Deaf Blind
Consultant Angela Wills. The Chairman of Deafness Forum Australia will speak to us on Hearing being the 10th
National Health priority in Australia and representatives from the BHA National Board and BHA Branches will
enlighten us on new BHA resources and the work of BHA nationally.
Don’t miss out on this 2 day Conference in Western Australia; complete the Registration Form on page 6 of this
Edition of the Spotlight. The Western Australia Branch of Better Hearing Australia
looks forward to shining in our 70th Year.
Better Hearing Australia WA Branch
Waiting to welcome you
PAGE 6 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
New Vice-Patron for Sydney Branch
Better Hearing Australia (Sydney) Inc. is delighted to announce the appointment of Roma Wood OAM
as Vice Patron.
BHA Sydney was established as the NSW Lipreaders’ League in 1936, before changing its name to
Better Hearing Australia (Sydney) Inc. in 1983.
Roma has been closely associated with the branch since 1952 and is actively involved in the teaching
of Hearing Loss Management classes.
Roma is the branch’s first Vice Patron, and is well-known throughout the hearing community for her
boundless energy and enthusiasm. Long recognised for her work promoting the value of captioning
and her involvement with many groups in the community.
Roma said she felt privileged to be asked and honoured to step into this role.
BHA Sydney will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2016.
John Steele – President Sydney Branch
**********************************************************************************
2015 Better Hearing Australia Illingworth Award
FOR BHA VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
BHA Branches are invited to nominate a volunteer of their choice for the 2015 Volunteer of the Year. Nominations must be in writing, and sent to the Awards Coordinator by August 1, 2015. Branches may nominate a person who has been nominated before, providing they have not previously been a winner of the Award. Nominees may be anyone who serves as a volunteer for the branch (or the national organization), for example Board members, teachers, branch trainers, speakers, office assistants, social coordinators and such. Submissions should include details of the nominee’s roles, functions, activities, enthusiasm and commitment to BHA. Please send submissions to Awards Coordinator, Carole McCarthy by email at: [email protected]
CLOSING DATE: AUGUST 1, 2015 PAGE 7 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations Sr Maureen Hodge RSJ
Spotlight readers will know that there is little compensation for hearing loss, despite modern hearing aids. Since 1987 in Perth, people with newly acquired hearing problems were greeted by Sr Maureen Hodge’s lovely smile and warm welcome as they arrived at their first BHA class. For me and many before me, meeting Sr Maureen and being one of her students has certainly been a compensation for hearing loss.
Sr Maureen Hodge RSJ has not been in good
health for some months now. The WA Branch was therefore very pleased that she could receive her well-deserved Life Membership at a morning tea in her honour just before Easter. We were delighted that retired Manager Sheila Stevens, former Board Member Shirley Lawrence, and long term BHAWA member Alison Atkins could join us. Sr Maureen’s current students, who had discovered how much is involved in preparing a lip reading lesson, were very pleased that Sr Maureen was being honoured for her commitment to students. After completing her academic teacher training at Burwood Teacher Training College in Melbourne, Sr Maureen transferred back to WA with her Order. Starting lip reading teaching in Mandurah soon afterwards, she also continued with her BHA tutors training. 1987 was certainly a BHA high point in WA! Albany held a three day teachers’ workshop. Nine people took the lip reading teaching exams. The results were better than any other state with seven students achieving 100% and two 95%. Despite 13 trained teachers, eight assistant teachers and seven trainees, demand outstripped supply. Twenty classes were held with four in East Perth, two in Fremantle and 14 in country areas. Some areas held basic, intermediate and advanced lip reading classes. Sr Maureen relocated to Perth in 1990 and commenced teaching at BHAWA headquarters in East Perth. She didn’t forget her Mandurah students and by 1992 she was driving the St Joseph Convent’s bus for a joint picnic for Mandurah and Perth BHAWA members! Sr Maureen remained active in various roles with BHAWA for the next ten years. Tutors and classes dropped away between 2003 and 2010. The new funding body pressured BHAWA to amalgamate with a larger agency and later management committees saw a move to professional services as the only way forward. In 2009 as the only remaining tutor, Sr Maureen received the Bea Phillips Award for outstanding service. It was distressing for Sr Maureen to see the actions of the agency which had taken over the government contract. When the students decided that they could no longer accept services from the agency, Sr Maureen remained loyal to BHA, its students and Julie Edmonds who became the next President. Congratulations on a wonderful contribution, Sr Maureen. We wish you a speedy return to good health. Margaret Furphy Better Hearing Australia WA Branch
PAGE 8 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Cooperative Research Centres Association Excellence in Innovation Award
The CRCA Excellence in Innovation Award recognises a websites’ impact on creating greater awareness of hearing
loss and translating research outcomes for healthcare providers. The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)
was one of only two recipients of an Excellence in Innovation Award, presented by the Minister for Industry and
Science the Hon Ian Macfarlane, at the 2015 Cooperative Research Centres Association Conference Dinner at
Parliament House, Canberra.
The HEARing CRC received the Award in recognition of its HEARnet Online and HEARnet Learning website initiatives,
that have proven effective in connecting the public, hearing health professionals and researchers with the latest
independent research findings and information about hearing loss, the clinical treatment of hearing loss, and
available hearing technologies solutions, such as the cochlear implant.
HEARing CRC CEO Professor Robert Cowan cited a 2015 World Health Organisation Report that states hearing
disability affects over six percent of the world’s population – noting also that currently one in six Australians have a
hearing disability that impacts on their employment, education or community engagement.
“With hearing loss expected to rise in Australia due to our ageing population and the explosion of available
information on the world-wide web, it’s critical that individuals can access to a highly-credible, independent website
about the disability. An information source that explains to the public, in ways that are easily understood, how
hearing loss occurs, what measures can be taken to prevent it and the variety of solutions current available to
manage hearing loss,” Professor Cowan explained.
“HEARnet Online (www.hearnet.org.au) has a wealth of independent information about different types of hearing
loss together with commercially-available technologies that are applicable to each respective type. There is also
practical information for hearing health professionals to help provide assistance in the personal management of
hearing loss.”
“HEARnet Learning (www.hearnetlearning.org.au) was specifically established to ensure that HEARing CRC evidence-
based, research outcomes are translated into clinical practice by hearing health professionals. At the same time,
these modules assist them with their ongoing professional development and help deliver better outcomes to their
patients,” Professor Cowan stated.
“Working closely with Audiology Australia, HEARing CRC has developed clinical training modules that provide up-to-
date information on an expanding array of specialist topics such as cochlear implant and hearing aid fitting, patient-
centric rehabilitation for managing hearing loss in infants, adults and the elderly, as well as diagnosis of Central
Auditory Processing Disorders in children and the elderly.”
“By having all this information online, hearing health professionals located in capital cities, country towns, or remote
locales can all enjoy access to an accredited online training resource at any time via a computer, tablet or smart
phone – professional development training delivered when and where they require it.”
Greg Lawrence
CRC Hearing
PAGE 9 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Better Hearing Australia National Scholarship
Congratulations Mathew Townsend
The National Board of BHA is honoured to introduce our first
recipient Michael Townsend
Master of Environmental Management - Sustainable
Development (2015-16)
University of Queensland, St Lucia.
ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP Better Hearing Australia is dedicating funds raised by its members, to support improving the life experiences of
Australians living with hearing loss, through its scholarship program.
The purpose of the Better Hearing Australia National Scholarship Program is to provide financial assistance to
individuals with a hearing loss, to support them to undertake educational and personal development
activities. Through this support Better Hearing Australia will enable individuals to improve their ability to participate
in the social and economic activities of their local communities.
The Board were impressed with Michael’s studies to date and the passion in which he hopes to influence our natural
environment through his studies.
Mathew (24) is honoured to be the inaugural recipient of the BHA scholarship to continue his studies. Mathew said:
“I have started Master of Environmental Management specialising in Sustainable Development at University of
Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane. The course objectives are on sustainability, environmental awareness and
management. The master degree lasts until July 2016 including a research semester in 2016. My research project
could focus on transforming communities to a zero carbon future, and revive social and economic outcomes which
become the point of a sustainable development. After graduation, I am hoping to work with all levels of
government in Australia and with the United Nations to achieve success in sustainable development, ensuring
future generations are saved from intra-generational issues.”
“The Better Hearing Australia scholarship places a benefit of my disadvantage from my hearing loss. Without
assistance and support, inclusion of financial support, my postgraduate degree and future career may not be
possible. The scholarship will also help me settle in a city from living in a regional area whereI have lived my whole
life. Living in a city, at a large university, the financial contribution comes to a hesitation. Public transport costs,
tution fees, disability services and other university's contribution fees come under support of this scholar”.
Better Hearing Australia is pleased to announce Word of Mouth Technology supports the BHA Scholarship through the provision of Assistive Listening Devices to the
winner.
PAGE 10 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
My Story Gaylene Dale
In Hobart, we’re often asked what are outcomes come from the classes, what skills and knowledge are gained? As many of you may be aware, Carol McGhee is a competent Communication teacher holding Communication classes for the hearing impaired, their families and professionals who have an interest in communication skills. On a personal note I first attended 1 on 1 Communication classes with Carol McGhee as a very distraught young woman who had finally realised that I must accept that I had a significant hearing loss. I went kicking, screaming and rolling down her driveway to classes where I was a totally demanding student. After attending private and group classes, workshops and becoming involved in the Tasmania Better Hearing committee and social activities, I applied these skills to other aspects of my life. These included vocational and University studies, working in Government departments, social and caring roles. It’s amazing how many people I’ve met at Better Hearing and how communication classes have impacted on their lives. After experiencing some work trauma I went to my Union where the representative who I met as a coincidence had attended a term of Carol’s communication classes 20 years ago to assist a family member. She had retained the knowledge she’d acquired as it had been so well transferred to her and thus was able to provide an excellent advocacy service to me through a traumatic period of my professional life.
PHOTO LEFT: Carol McGhee
I left work quite suddenly and became full-time carer to my elderly Mum who experienced mobility, sight, hearing and many health ailments in the last 5 years of her life. I met many professionals who were inexperienced with the hearing impaired and was able to pass on some of the knowledge I’d gain to them and recommended Better Hearing as a provider they could contact for assistance for other hearing impaired people they encountered. They were skills I’d gained, developed and added to by reading the informative Branch newsletters, Better Hearing magazines and other publications. These skills enabled me to communicate and get the best service for Mum and me.
After Mum passed away last year I utilised those communication skills to begin voluntary work, start new social activities and broaden current interests, and live a worthwhile life in the community. I’m just one of many members of the community who have been assisted by Carol and Better Hearing’s exemplary work.
Gaylene Dale BHA Tasmania Branch
PAGE 11 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Just when I learned to take things ‘with a grain of salt’ … the doctor put me on a salt-free diet!
By Alison Cassell,
Are you “SALT SAVVY”? Maybe it’s time you became a “SASSY NO SALT”, with a “SALT-SKIPPER” DIET.
The Salt Skip Program was begun from a LOW SALT COOKERY CLASS at WODEN TAFE (ACT) in 1981, in conjunction with a trial of low salt foods as a treatment for high blood pressure. This article is based on the work of the late Dr Trevor Beard, co-author of the salt section of the Australian Dietary Guidelines, and author of the Low Salt diet ‘Bible’, Salt Matters.
Salt matters because it causes, or aggravates, over 20 salt-related health problems for at least 6 million Australians (half the adult population). These include high blood pressure, osteoporosis, glaucoma, asthma, kidney stones, swollen ankles, travel oedema, obesity, PMS, coronary heart disease, stroke, carpal tunnel syndrome and stomach cancer.
Moreover, salt is the main trigger for severe vertigo attacks, for sufferers of MENIERE’S DISEASE, as it causes a build-up of endolymph fluid affecting balance organs in the inner ear. Because too much salt is TOXIC, inhibiting the body’s ability to flush excess sodium when we drink water, thereby causing the body to retain fluid, consequent fluctuations in the volume and concentration of the inner ear fluid cause the symptoms of HYDROPS: pressure or fullness in the ears, TINNITUS (ringing in the ears), Hearing Loss, dizziness and imbalance. Many of us are all-too-familiar with these salt-related Vestibular Disorders.
According to FOOD STANDARDS AUST NZ (FSANZ):
‘no added’, is unequivocally understood to mean that the product has only ‘natural’ sugar/salt, with nothing added.
‘reduced salt’, means the food has at least 25% less sodium than the original item BUT the original food may not be ‘Low Sodium’. ‘low salt’, is classed as that with less than 120mg of sodium per 100g food Sodium levels are displayed on the Nutrition Panels, as required by Australian Food Labelling laws to appear on all manufactured/processed/packaged foods.
By consequence, therefore, a LOW SALT diet is one in which the SODIUM level for 100g of the particular food MUST be NO MORE THAN 120mg/100g. It does not matter the quantity of the food you eat. As a general rule, 75% of your salt consumption comes from processed food and 15% comes from cooking and table salt. The remaining 10% is natural salt and is all that you require. This means that almost every natural food is low in salt, that is, <120mg sodium/ 100g food e.g. fish, red meat, poultry (50-100mg/100g), fruit, unprocessed cereals and unsalted plant products (well below 50mg/100g).
EXCEPTIONS are: Hen’s eggs (133mg/100g), but eggs can be included in a low salt meal, if the egg is the only exception. Beetroot and silver beet are both considered low salt if grown in a home garden BUT they can be grown commercially in salty / marshy areas. Invertebrate seafood – molluscs and crustacea absorb some of the salt from seawater, so prawns, oysters, squid, crayfish and scallops ARE NOT LOW SALT. This particular seafood exception CAN NOT be ignored for Meniere’s sufferers.
Manufactured / processed foods: ALWAYS read the nutrition panel. AIM for foods with <120mg sodium/100g food.
Observe this guideline and it’s a LOW SALT diet without the arithmetic!
BE a SUPER-SMART SODIUM SPOTTER!
Always check the SODIUM content of foods you regularly buy – don’t assume the sodium level is the same as the last time you bought the product; changes can occur in production runs.
Peter Chamberlain’s LOW SALT FOODS website is a wonderful, thorough and constantly-updated reference. It also includes tasty recipes.
http://users.tpg.com.au/pschamb/mls.html This site lists the SODIUM content for a variety of packaged / tinned foods and
where to buy the products.
http://www.saltmatters.org/site/ includes an e-mail discussion list
AWASH www.awash.org.au includes great ‘salt aware’ tips
MENIERE’S AUSTRALIA stocks No Salt beef, vegetable and chicken Stock Powders, Potassium Bicarbonate and Baking Powder, Recipe Books and resource materials relating to Meniere’s Disease and the LOW SALT DIET. MENIERE’S AUSTRALIA Suite 4, 18-28 Skye Road
Perhaps Helen Rowland has the last ‘cheeky’ word in the SODIUM/SUGAR STRUGGLE: Frankston VIC 3199 A wise woman puts a grain of sugar PHONE: 1300 368 818 into everything she says to a man, TTY: (03) 9781 4190 and takes a grain of salt with everything he says to her.
ALISON CASSELL BHA BRISBANE BRANCH
PAGE 12 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Sound of Silence Dr. Elaine Saunders is the Managing Director of Blamey Saunders Hears, and is also an award-winning businesswoman, audiologist and academic. Elaine has been a great supporter of Better Hearing Australia across a number of our branches.
Sound of Silence is a memoir of Elaine’s career journey on how to make the most of our hearing with or without a hearing aid, whether profoundly deaf or hard of hearing. Listening and hearing shapes our memories and enriches our lives. Throughout Sound of Silence, Dr. Elaine Saunders employs personal stories and educational material to demonstrate how we can make the most of our hearing – with or without hearing aids.
Elaine is an internationally recognised hearing scientist, audiologist and entrepreneur with a strong focus on social, good and affordable hearing access. As a daughter of a deaf father, who inspired her passion for people with hearing loss, we follow Elaine from an assistant in a school for deaf children to launching and leading the world’s first tele-audiology hearing company. Sound of Silence provides us with a background on deaf education, audiology and hearing aids. Elaine shows us how the brain hears, and the health consequences of ignoring the sense of hearing and the skill of listening. The following is an extract of Elaine’s book.
In 1886, Dr William R Roe, the headmaster and Founder of the Deaf and Dumb asylum in Derby (later the Derby School for the Deaf) wrote a book that he called Anecdotes and Incidents of the Deaf and Dumb. In the book, he tells the story of Jim, who was misunderstood and treated as mentally deficient. Roe tells us that a man, who said his name was Jim, was found wandering about in a strange manner at the local railway station. He was subsequently charged at the local police court, with being ‘a wander ing lunatic’. The police sergeant who had found him also ascertained that the man had come from Bath. It’s not a particularly straightforward railway trip from Bath to Derby. Apparently, he had similarly been found wandering around at the railway station in Bath. The sergeant, in Derby, talked to Jim, and decided that Jim in fact wanted to go to London, but the Sergeant couldn’t persuade him to buy a ticket to London. Jim only had a few possessions with him. He had a basket, containing some tea, a razor and other small articles; but no letters or anything from which they could find where he wanted to go. Jim continued to be held in the police cells. The police surgeon examined him and ‘pronounced him to be of unsound mind’. Someone, perhaps the perspicuous police sergeant, had the wit to send for William Roe, the town expert on deafness.
Mr. Roe, communicated with the prisoner using sign language, and found that Jim ‘was deaf and dumb, and totally uneducated, but certainly of sound mind’. Jim was released into Roe’s care, and the whole story emerged over the next few days. It turned out that Jim had been staying with a friend in Bath, and had wanted to visit some other friends across town. He went to the train station in Bath, and the railway authorities decided, mistakenly, that Jim wanted to go to Derby, and put him on a train to Derby. Jim was understandably somewhat confused.
There wasn’t a lot of awareness or understanding of deafness in the 1880s. But would the situation be better if this had happened today? I fear it might not be. Perhaps we are more caring today, which means authorities may have acted even sooner to over organise Jim, be it with the best intentions. But children with deafness or hearing loss are still misdiagnosed or not detected in most developed countries today. The head of the International Rotary Action Group on hearing, Ellen Haggerty, an energised and very intelligent, severely deaf person, has had the experience of being treated in a rather patronising manner, and over organised by other people. Even in circumstances of good intention, actions can be patronising, controlling and misguided.
Today I part own a small international hearing aid company that’s changing the world of hearing aids forever. I’m working with clever scientists to use the world of the Internet to deliver a new kind of hearing aid straight to the home, wherever people are, and at much lower costs than are usually associated with high quality hearing aids. The hearing aid, based on bionic ear technology is very, very good, but we have made it so simple that people can take control and set it up themselves. My goal is to help people hear better, and to live easier lives.
Untreated hearing loss, when acquired as an adult, even if it’s not severe, can have a big negative impact on people lives. It’s a cause of depression, paranoia, deteriorating relationships, disadvantages in the work place and even early cognitive decline. I’m trying to help, by raising awareness, working with clever people on new technologies and helping people take control of their hearing themselves. I believe that many hearing aids are overpriced, and many don’t work very well. This is my story, which starts about the time that Simon and Garfunkel’s enduring song was released, a story to try and overcome the silence. The reader will learn about hearing, listening, what can go wrong, what can be done and some moving stories from people, including my father, who have triumphed over their hearing problems. My path has taken me from being a lowly assistant in a school for deaf children, through the development of the cochlear implant to leading a very new kind of hearing aid company in Australia. Hearing and listening helps keep the brain fit. This book could have been called – “How Hearing Changes your Brain”. In the pages ahead, my story will mingle with strategies to keep peoples hearing fitter and more useful to overall health.
New Holland Publishers – RRP: $27.99 Readers can purchase the book here: http://newhollandpublishers.com/au/memoir/1449-sound-of-silence-9781742576367.html?search_query=Sound+of+Silence&results=1
PAGE 13 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
WHAT IS ADULT EDUCATION? WHO IS AN ADULT EDUCATOR? Roma Wood
There are many people who are adult educators – they may not be aware of this title, but by their varying degrees of knowledge, their input in many areas relates to education. These are: people, Corporate Chairmen, discussion
leaders in voluntary Organisations such as in women’s and men’s clubs, in service and religious organisations, Professional societies and even Trade associations. There are others who may be Business Executives, Training Officers and Teachers, Administrators, Group Leaders, Program Directors and Writers and Editors.
All these people have some contribution to our learning and there are still others such as parents, family, friends, colleagues. We can learn from all these people. We might read, hear or see. We don’t necessarily have to believe it all. It could be someth ing we relate to. We could feel caustic or blasé. We might have doubts but it is interesting. We can learn something every time. But there’s more – Books! Deafness – John Ballantyne, Lipreading for Hard of Hearing – Martha Bruhn, Communication Therapy, People Skills
These books and many more are available in our Teachers’ Library. We have some excellent reading in our Teachers’ Library from early days relating to lipreading and the self-help concept, which is really where we should start.
It’s your life we are talking about and you need to focus on where you want to go – otherwise why bother to read? Books in themselves are their own entirety and offer so much to our learning. Use them – question the writers’ ideas, absorb the various points of view. Consider the differing ways people interpret something useful.
Some people are comfortable in what they do. They are not aware (or not interested) that there is a continual body of knowledge to learn and pass on. Acknowledge the fact your learning and sharing of information helps you become more confident and competent as an adult educator. You don’t have to have a BA! Many adult educators think success is defined in terms of numbers and enthusiasm, but the mission can be best described by satisfying these distinct goals, e.g. The needs of individuals. The needs of the organisation/institute. The needs of society. These relate not just to our interests but to human fulfilment.
What does an adult educator do? Help learners to diagnose their needs. Plan with learners and sequence to realise their potential. Formulate plans to achieve objectives – “where do you want to go from here?” Methodology by using effective techniques. Provide the human and material resources for effective results.
These points all relate to what we want to achieve through our BHA Hearing Loss Management Programme. Comparisons between AH Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and my perception of the same needs in relation to hearing loss management. He emphasises the needs for growth in terms of knowledge and understanding from survival to actualisation – the need to believe in ourselves plus the meed to work through each level before you actually achieve your goal, so it seems to me this is applicable to people with impaired hearing – the only change I felt was personal, psychological needs. A real personal need and survival would follow.
Education when growing up is not perceived as a life-time process. We learn that as we go along from stage to stage – that’s part of learning – we gain this learning gradually from various people associated in our life and develop skills of self-directed learning.
According to the Board of Adult Education, the effectiveness of any education programme can be determined by the efficiency of the teachers and their commitment to teaching, so it is important that we aim for a high level of competency in our specialised teaching programme for people with impaired hearing.
Statistics show 85% of learning develops through sight and 10% through learning. The other 5% relates to taste, touch and smell.
People complain about the way we speak. Who is at fault here? Doesn’t this relate to adult education? Look at the way doctors write. You may be familiar with the noted composer, Stravinsky. In one of his books he presented graphic and verbal descriptions of his friends, a virtuoso talker, a fast and funny friend, a friend whose talks spurt like a ticker-tape – either too high or too soft. So there you have someone with more than average hearing who could still have trouble with people’s voices. We have moved on to a learning environment based on Hearing Loss Management. It is really important to remember we are teaching adults with specific needs, Basic need – contact/communication/talk Felt need – personal adjustment Real need – learning/accepting/acknowledging Necessity – social/survival We work at providing a learning environment to justify the objectives in conducting teaching programmes for people with impaired hearing. In Sydney we do not teach consonants, vowels, diphthongs - language or spelling – that is not our role – we teach people how to cope with loss of hearing through usual concept of speech, through body language, gestures and movement. There are two definitions in contrasting lipreading and speech reading. Analytical: recognising the shapes and movements of speech as presented by the speaker Synthetic: determining what is seen analytically by the context flow and rhythm of speech movements and words Speech reading is what develops after learning the basics When I am speaking to people at a meeting or socially, I don’t think of lipreading, I am communicating. That’s what we need to aim for. We have moved on to introducing our Hearing Loss Management Programme.
Roma Wood OAM Please send any comments directly to Roma Wood, 29 Burwood Road, Concord Co-ordinator or Teachers, Sydney Branch NSW 2137 Email: [email protected]
PAGE 14 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Better Hearing Australia News from our Branches - ‘Keeping in touch Nationally’
Welcome to the Branch News Section of the BHA National Spotlight, where our BHA Branches and Groups share member news and experiences. Contact your local Branch to become a member, and support Better Hearing Australia assist the Australian community with a hearing loss.
Canberra Branch, ACT
Our major news is that BHA Canberra has survived the temporary loss of our teacher
Sue Daw while she recuperates from a necessary operation to remove part of her
bowel. Sue thanks all BHA friends for their support. She is making slow but steady
progress to regain her strength and energy.
Carol Taloni is doing all the teaching and members are enjoying the change of
approach. Thank you Carol.
We don’t get many requests for badges but those that do come are generally from
people desperate and the badges have been welcome. We have produced three
different messages, each expressed in two ways (making 6 variations) and then we
have the option of two fasteners (pins or magnetic closures). They are of a size that
allows the message to be read, and tare priced at $10 each. They are attractive and
may be ordered from BHA Canberra by email: [email protected] and transfer
$10 into our CBA account: BSB 062 907 A/c 10324198, or pay by cheque on receipt
of our invoice.
Our Rediscovering Music sessions have continued
with the first for year featuring the recorder. My
interest was aroused as my experience of the
recorder was limited to school music. Was I
surprised! There seem to be many sizes and types
of recorders and we had two demonstrators with
the lot. The picture shows Barbara Jerjen with one
of the Bass recorders. Barbara was supported by daughter Franziska.
We would like to mention that the stick-on labels are now in the Patient Hospital
Kits. These replace the conference card holder for the hearing help card. The
stickers may be used on your hospital clothing and reused being quite robust. It
also means we have removed the metal pin, making the sticker OK for MRIs.
Sue had her photo in the local paper about 2 months ago with a story line and the public result was very favourable.
It generated quite a deal of interest in the Hearing Loss Management sessions.
We are looking forward to visiting Fremantle for the Conference and particularly seeing colleagues from other Branches.
HAYDN DAW
PAGE 15 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Central Coast, NSW We like other NSW Branches are now accredited NDIS Service
Providers, although we do not have any NDIS clients amongst our
members due to the age criteria. We are still coming to terms
with the comprehensive policies and procedures that ensure the
NSW Disability Standards are followed. I am sure the NDS did not
take into account the time taken for volunteers to read,
understand and apply them, distracting from their time helping
the hearing impaired.
With age catching up with some of us, the Bateau Bay Group has decided to call it a day. Their tutor Barnie
O’Sullivan will be missed by his class and all at the Central
Coast branch, he has spent many years helping the
hearing impaired on the Coast and in Sydney. One of the
group, Auta, has been a BHA member for forty
years. Also Margaret one of the Brentwood group
members has been a member for forty years, it was
marked by a morning tea with current and past tutors.
The latest project we are involved with is assisting
teachers of hearing impaired students with funding
support for a conference on the Central Coast, so the
teachers can be informed of the needs of their hearing
impaired students. It is not often that we have the
opportunity to assist the younger members of the
community so we hope it will be successful.
ABOVE : Auta with tutors Barnie O’Sullivan and Jeannine
Like other businesses in the Gosford CBD we were to be connected to the NBN by the end of February but this has
not happened as yet with no date given as to when this will happen. When it does our phone number will remain
the same but our email will change.
RIGHT: Margaret with past tutor Jill Samek
Ian Rimes Vice President
PAGE 16 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Newcastle Branch, N.S.W.
Newcastle and parts of NSW were severely battered by a storm
phenomenon known as an East Coast Low, earlier this year. News
bulletins showed the ferocity of the storm, the flooding and damage
it caused. The size of the trees uprooted during the storm were
quite amazing and we have always been concerned about a huge
gum tree out the front of our Branch, which has a tendency to drop
Branches during strong winds. This time was no exception and a large branch crashed onto the roof, causing a huge
hole and allowing water to rush in, flood the ceilings, causing collapse and then a fire broke out. Thanks to NSW Fire
and Rescue the fire was quickly contained but water, heat and smoke caused much more damage and the building
will need extensive repairs before it can be used again. Classes were suspended as other parts of the main building
were without power. At this stage we do not know when repairs will start.
PHOTO’S OF NEWCASTLE BRANCH STORM DAMAGE
On a happier note we have achieved another 12
months of government funding to allow us to
continue to provide services to the community.
We also presented an appreciation plaque to one
of our Tutors .Gillian Halliday has been a tutor
with Better Hearing Newcastle for 10 years and
was presented with an Appreciation Plaque in
front of her class last week. It was presented by
our Acting Chairperson Judith Delbridge.
Karen Dempsey
PAGE 17 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Sydney Branch, NSW
On the 5th June, BHA Sydney held its annual Volunteers’ Luncheon. Our luncheon is to say thank you to our Volunteers, and to let them know they and their contribution and work, is appreciated greatly. BHA Sydney held a Strategic Planning Day on Saturday, 18th April this year, as we did last year. Many good ideas came out of this day. Our Board is assessing and prioritising these ideas now, and will look carefully at which two or three ideas we should turn into active projects, and get started on. We need to turn the top or most urgent into action. We can’t handle them all at once, but we can and will begin to implement these top ones. In May our President, John Steel, and our Board member, Andrew Bush, met with the National President, Sara Duncan and our National Vice President Michele Barry, here in Sydney. The meeting was constructive and positive and involved a frank exchange of ideas, information, and views, as well as aspirations for our futures. One seriously expressed hope of Sydney is that there be much more open and comprehensive communication, not just between Sydney and National, but between all the branches. Sometimes branches do similar activities, such as teaching; and some branches start new activities and meet new needs within their areas of responsibility, and it would be great and beneficial to exchange detailed and comprehensive information, and for branches to learn from each other. There are other areas in which we, the branches, must all be involved, and two of these are fundraising and promotions of ourselves, our branches, and our activities. These are vital challenges for all of us, as they keep us going, and can cause us growth. We, in Sydney, would love to have information on how other branches raise funds for their services, and promote these services to the wider community. Exchanging information will be to the benefit of all of us. There is a need for all the organisations working within the hearing loss area to work more closely together, and, where possible, to work with the umbrella organisations such as Deafness Forum nationally, and the state based umbrella organisations, such as Deafness Council in NSW. The real question is how do we achieve this?
Andrew D’A. E. Bush. Better Hearing Australia, Sydney Inc.
Tasmania Branch
Hello from Hobart where we are now in Winter, which hasn’t deterred the Branch from holding Communication classes and other activities at our service centre. We started the year in a celebratory mood as we were delighted that Carol McGhee OAM, our Director Services cum President, was the No 1 Lipreader in Australia in the 2014challenge. Although it was not the first time Carol had achieved this it was a poignant moment for her. She first became involved with Better Hearing due to her Mum, May McGhee’s hearing loss. May was a competent lipreader and was1st place many times at a national level which led to a friendly mother/daughter rivalry. Carol became, and still is a passionate advocate for the hearing impaired. Ironically, Carol is now experiencing a hearing loss herself but copes admirably as she does with other life challenges.
PAGE 18 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Tasmania Branch continued …
Carol has been President of the Tasmania Branch (which is celebrating its 70th anniversary) for 37 years and has achieved, and is still accomplishing, so much for the Branch as she undertakes classes and activities for the hearing impaired. Her achievements are many and her work for Better Hearing currently includes:
successful communication classes as principal, and now only teacher in Tasmania for over 35 years (approximate as it could be more) and at times taking 3 or more classes a week
Tinnitus Support Group Communication Weekend Workshops Collation of Branch newsletter Attainment of Government and community grants Extensive promotional work for the Branch Production of information brochures Interpreting both oral and signing Fundraising activities so that the Branch can continue its work, including 6 car raffle fundraisers Speaking engagements at Rotary, Probus and other organisations Educating the community about the hearing impaired and their needs Keeping in touch with BHA members Supervision of Brownie/Girl Guides communication badges Production of several front covers of the national magazine
Additionally, Carol is a recipient of the Gwen Illingworth Award, No 1 Lipreader several times, past member of the National Board, producer of a Lipreading Competition, and has been presented with numerous State and National Awards including an OAM. She recognises that although we are now in the 21st century and there has been great technological change, there are still people who are not totally comfortable with the digital world and Carol ensures that their needs are met. She is and has always been empathetic and considerate of the needs of the hearing impaired. Carol is high achiever and is dedicated to providing high quality services to the Tasmania Branch. We were also pleased that our other members were also successful with their lipreading results, particularly Pat Connolly who was placed 11th in the challenge. We congratulate them and competitors for their hard work. A presentation will be made at the TV and Radio Clear Speech Awards in September.
Gaylene Dale
Victoria Branch
For over 82 years BHA has supported thousands of people manage their hearing health. There are currently one million Victorians having a hearing condition and this is expected to increase. Over the past 18 months the organisation has improved its operations, external relations and reputation amongst “like“ organisations and political arenas. PAGE 19 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Victoria Branch continued …
With the emerging NDIS there is great opportunity to be part of the evolving service model. Hearing Management aligns very well with the ILC (Tier two) NDIS service delivery stream. Together with the Board of Management, we are preparing for the changes in policy, which will affect our current service delivery contract with the state government.
Here are a few updates;
New Services BHA has commenced regular outreach clinics from Ringwood community health. The Ringwood clinic is already attracting significant interest. We will commence a new clinic from Lynbrook Community health in the Narre Warren area next month. Our goal is to expand our external clinic network to enable more people to access our hearing advisory service.
Human Resources Our new audiologist Agnieszka Kosidlo commenced with BHA on 27th May. We are excited about her joining the team and already she has shown her client focused approach.
Special Public Events Our first Tinnitus Public Seminar was in April. Presented by Carol Wilkinson, there was much discussion about the latest evidence based techniques to support people manage tinnitus. It’s one our strategic goals to do more in the area in tinnitus support.
Website We have refreshed both the website and our services brochure. www.betterhearing.org.au We expect the new layout will improve the consumer experience and promote a more professional face of BHA as we continue to seek support from corporate and philanthropic organisations.
For more information about services at BHA in Victoria, please see www.betterhearing.org.au
Michele Barry
Western Australia Branch
The Western Australia Branch is 70 years old this
year! We look forward to seeing our BHA friends at the Conference in October.
Better Hearing Australia WA Branch Celebrating 70 Years supporting our West Australian Community 1945 – 2015
Contributions for the ‘BHA National Spotlight’
Branches, Members and Better Hearing Australia supporters are encouraged to contribute articles to BHA's national publication, the BHA National Spotlight. Informative articles, Letters to the Editor, ‘Opinion’ pieces, poems, and personal stories are welcome. Please send your contributions before the closing date for the October Edition, which is September 15, 2015. Please send contributions to [email protected] and keep articles and news to 600 words or less as an attached WORD document, with any images attached separately.
PAGE 20 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Your Better Hearing Australia
ACT SOUTH AUSTRALIA CANBERRA ADELAIDE P.O. Box 546, Jamison ACT 2614 C/- SACOSS, 47 King William Rd, Sue Daw, Phone/Fax: (02)62514713 Unley SA 5061 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: canberra.betterhearingaustralia.org.au Website:www.betterhearingadelaide.com.au
NEW SOUTH WALES TASMANIA SYDNEY TASMANIA 29 Burwood Rd, Concord NSW 2137 4/32 Bayfield St, Rosny Park TAS 7018 Phone: (02)97440167 Fax: (02)97447492 PO Box 962, Rosny Park TAS 7018 TTY: (02)97440124 Phone: (03)62445570 Email: [email protected] Email:[email protected] Website: www.betterhearingsydney.org.au
Grenfell Group VICTORIA Email: [email protected] VICTORIA Phone: (02)63431166 5 High St, Prahran, VIC 3181
CENTRAL COAST Phone: (03)95101577 TTY: (03)95103499 59 Mann St, Gosford NSW 2250 Fax: (03)95106076 Phone: (02)43210275 Fax: (02)43210682 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.betterhearing.org.au Website: www.centralcoast.betterhearingaustralia.org.au NEWCASTLE GEELONG PO Box 275, Waratah NSW 2298 PO Box 7332, Geelong West VIC 3218 61 Christo Road, Waratah NSW 2298 Phone: (03)52788300 Phone/TTY: (02)49688050 Fax: (02)49688663 Fax: (03)52788233 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] GROUPS:
Coffs Harbour Group WESTERN AUSTRALIA Taree Group WEST AUSTRALIA PO Box 347, Floreat WA 6014
WAGGA WAGGA 2015 Email: [email protected] PO Box 5156, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 Website:www.betterhearingaustraliawa.org Phone: (02)69252002 Bunbury Group – meet at St Augustine Uniting Email: [email protected] Church, Bunbury Email: [email protected]
QUEENSLAND NATIONAL BHA BRISBANE Email: [email protected] 21 Vulture St, West End QLD 4101 Website: www.betterhearingaustralia.org.au PO Box 5334, West End QLD 4101 Phone/TTY: (07)38445065 Fax: (07)38465260 NATIONAL OFFICERS Email: [email protected] Patron: Professor Graeme M. Clark
Website: bhabrisbane.org.au AC, FAA, FRS, (Hon) FRCS
Maryborough Group - Email [email protected] President: Sara Duncan Logan Group – meet at Logan North Library Vice President: Michele Barry GOLD COAST Secretary: Tom McCaul Po Box 3667 Australia Fair, Southport QLD 4215 Treasurer: Jeannette Durlak Phone/Fax: (07)55728186 Director: Sandra Keir Email: [email protected] Tweed Heads Group – Contact, Margaret Attwood
PAGE 21 BHA NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT