13 December 2018

Pioneer in cochlear implant surgery has his

cochlear device turned on
It has only been an hour, but Dr Rice exceeds the audiologist's
expectations and is hearing every sound through his new bionic
ear. What used to be a complex four-hour operation in the
1990s is now considered a routine operation that is done in
about 90 minutes, but it is still having a profound impact on
people's lives.

Hearing aids claimed to slow dementia by

75%, new study finds
Scientists believe that keeping older people engaged and active
by using their hearing devices can significantly reduce age-
related cognitive decline. There are barriers to overcome -
people might not want to wear hearing aids because of stigma
attached to wearing them, or they feel the amplification is not
good enough or they're not comfortable.

Brett Lee
On a mission to promote universal newborn hearing screening in
India and promoting his new movie.

New disability information service

The interactive website and call centre will be a one-stop shop
for information about the accessibility features of both
mainstream and assistive telecommunications equipment suitable
for people with disability.

Australian first
Deaf gym junkie's Auslan fitness class. People will feel more
comfortable knowing their instructor is also Deaf.

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 past, present and future. We acknowledge the challenge to overcome the high levels of ear health issues among first Australians.
Deaf gym junkie's Auslan fitness classes believed to be
Australian first
ABC Radio Hobart
By Georgie Burgess

Photo: Mr Harris says class members will feel more comfortable knowing their instructor is also Deaf. (ABC
Radio Hobart: Georgie Burgess)

All around Australia, gym-goers are yelled at by enthusiastic exercise class instructors to go harder
and faster. But, that can be pretty tough to follow if you're Deaf.

Self-described Hobart gym freak Jarran Harris was born without hearing. The 27-year-old is
combining his passion for fitness with his skills Australian sign language (Auslan) to instruct gym
classes for the Deaf.

The free classes will be trialled for six months at Hobart's PCYC, which received support from the
Hobart City Council to establish the classes and provide free membership for participants. It's
believed to be an Australian first.

To get the class pumping, Mr Harris will use Auslan to explain the moves along with emphasised
expressions. He said Deaf people would feel more comfortable participating in the class if it was
run by a Deaf person.

"It will break down the barriers," he said. "I'll be running bootcamp and circuit which involves
weight training along with a core workout, whole-body workout and we will use exercise
equipment."

There are about 500 Deaf people in Tasmania.

Microsoft announces live captioning, subtitles for deaf

Daniel Howley, Technology Editor for Yahoo Finance

Microsoft on Monday announced that it’s bringing live captioning and subtitles to two of its biggest
products, PowerPoint and Skype.

The move will facilitate communications between users with hearing difficulties or who speak
different languages.

I was able to experience the new communication features during a recent visit to Microsoft’s
massive Redmond, Washington, campus. It worked incredibly well, offering seamless, real-time
captioning that kept up with every word spoken in the room. That became a problem when it was
translating Spanish to English and I began speaking in English, but that’s to be expected. Of
course, Microsoft isn’t the only company working on or offering accessibility features for its
consumers.

Apple’s (AAPL) iOS lets individual users configure playback and captioning, and can read content
out loud for those who have vision issues. There’s also a guided control feature that lets parents
or caregivers ensure individuals with autism or attention and sensory issues stay on task by
disabling the Home button, as well as portions of the display to limit accidental inputs.

Microsoft’s accessibility team is run by Jenny Lay-Flurrie, the company’s chief accessibility officer.
As someone who’s been nearly deaf her whole life, Lay-Flurrie also stands to benefit from the
captioning features coming to PowerPoint and Skype.

By adding real-time captioning, Microsoft will be able to open up PowerPoint and Skype to
individuals with hearing problems. So if you’re hard of hearing, you’ll still be able to keep up with
your co-worker’s presentation, or chat with your friends and family across the globe. Of course,
sign language is always an option, but thousands of people with hearing problems can’t sign. And
if you also have a physical disability, signing might not even be an option.

Outside of individuals with hearing problems, the captioning feature will also benefit folks without
hearing problems who are working with others who speak different languages thanks to real-time
translations.

The updates to the services roll out for PowerPoint in early 2019, while the translation feature for
Skype is already available.

https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/microsoft-announces-live-captioning-subtitles-hearing-impaired-
173046869.html?guccounter=2
Bionic ear surgeon who helped deaf children hear gets his own
cochlear implant
By Helen Frost for ABC

Photo: Dr Rice with his cochlear implant. He has spent his career helping others to hear. (ABC News:
Helen Frost)

John Rice pioneered cochlear implant surgery in South Australia as an ear, nose and throat
surgeon in the 1990s.

Last month he had his own cochlear device turned on. Light comes into his eyes and surprise on
his face as he describes the new experience.

"I'm hearing much more and better with this than I ever thought I would — it's wonderful,
absolutely," he said.

As the implant is first turned on, Dr Rice mentions that the noise coming through is very loud, like
a mouse squeaking in his ear. His audiologist takes him through the hearing test and explains to
him and his wife, Jenny, that at first, he is unlikely to hear much more than noise. It might take a
while for the high frequency sounds to settle down and for voices to sound familiar again.

Mrs Rice watches the smile on her husband's face and then softly explains that before the
surgery, her husband had started to seem isolated and withdrawn.

It had impacted his relationships and their communication.

"I didn't know how it would work and it's worked really well. It's very exciting and I'm really
thrilled about the whole thing, it's come full circle, and it's lovely," she said.

Photo: Dr Rice holds his cochlear implant. (ABC News: Helen Frost)

Helping deaf children hear for the first time

Dr Rice became interested in helping deaf children hear for the first time more than 50 years ago
when he worked at a women and children's hospital in London.

After moving to South Australia, the ear, nose and throat surgeon came across the case of a six-
year-old child who had deaf parents and lived in an entirely silent household. The boy had full
hearing but never learnt to speak.

"If a child hasn't heard by the age of six, they are unlikely to develop speech and language," Dr
Rice said. "Practically all the patients I operated on were children, and of course most of them
had never heard anything at all ever in their lives."

One of the first paediatric operations was performed by Rob Webb on a South Australian child in
Melbourne. Dr Rice remembers assisting in the surgery and said it was very difficult to tell how
well the implant was working because the patient could not tell them.

"The parents were incredibly courageous in that when we started we really didn't know too much
about this thing — there was this device, we could implant it, we didn't know how long it would
last, what the complications were," he said. “Those parents came along with us with incredible
courage, letting their two-year-old have major surgery to help them to learn to speak."

Dr Rice said he often heard from the children he helped and remembers years later when a boy
told him "it was marvellous growing up because he could switch Mum off when she got cross with
him".
Protege performs surgery on mentor
As technology advanced, and the procedure became more common, Dr Rice went on to teach
others how to perform the surgery.

Michael Schultz is one student that he fondly calls his protege. Dr Schultz is now an ear, nose and
throat surgeon at The Memorial Hospital in Adelaide and said he was slightly nervous when he
found out he had to perform the procedure on the man who had taught it to him years ago.

"I must admit when I saw his name on my patient list one day I thought, 'Is that John?'" Dr
Schultz said. "And sure enough it was, so it was a bit of an odd feeling, particularly that he was
coming to see me about his hearing loss."

What used to be a complex four-hour operation in the 1990s is now considered a routine
operation that is done in about 90 minutes, but it is still having a profound impact on people's
lives.

Photo: A letter from a patient thanks Dr Rice for installing her cochlear implant. (ABC News)

People can start to develop hearing loss as they age, or it can come on suddenly from illnesses or
noise exposure, audiologist Kristan Abela explained.

The idea of a hearing aid is that it amplifies sound, and it uses the normal hearing pathway.

"In cases where the inner ear hair cells have been damaged inside the cochlear, the cochlear
implant bypasses the damaged part of the ear and stimulates the nerves directly," she said.

It has only been an hour, but Dr Rice exceeds the audiologist's expectations and is hearing every
sound through his new bionic ear.

"If you had asked me in 1975, 'Will the bionic ear ever be a reality?' I would have said, and I did
say, 'Yes, but not in my professional lifetime'," he said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-25/bionic-ear-surgeon-john-rice-gets-cochlear-implant/10521582
Australian Hearing doubles audiology scholarships for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander students
Australian Hearing is set to double the number of its scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people interested in audiology to help attract students to the profession.

As Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and adults experience ear and hearing problems
at a higher rate than the general population, the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
audiologists remains alarmingly low.

The Master of Audiology scholarships offered by Australian Hearing are each valued at $15,000
over a two-year study period. The scholarships are currently offered at Macquarie University
NSW, University of Queensland and Flinders University in South Australia. Australian Hearing is
now working with more universities to establish more scholarships, which will increase the number
from three to six.

Ann Cross, who is Yidinji, is one of fewer than five Aboriginal audiologists estimated to be working
in Australia. Ann said she is hoping the scholarship will raise the profile of audiology as a vital and
rewarding career and attract more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates to the
profession.

Ann, who works as an audiologist and outreach advisor with Australian Hearing said, “Aboriginal
audiologists are well placed to help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hear better and
they are strongly needed to help close the gap in Indigenous Australian ear health. Research tells
us that consulting a health professional of the same ethnicity improves the client’s involvement in
decision-making, outcomes and satisfaction.”

The scholarships are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates who hold a bachelor
degree from any discipline and who are accepted into Audiology. Scholarship winners will also
travel to a remote community as part of an Australian Hearing outreach visit.

“Hearing loss and middle ear disease is extremely common in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities and this has lasting health, social and wellbeing implications,” said Mr Kim Terrell,
Managing Director of Australian Hearing.

“We really want to encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates to apply for these
scholarships. They provide a fantastic opportunity for professional development in an incredibly
important part of the health sector,” Kim Terrell said.

Candidates are invited to apply through participating universities. The next application deadline is
4 January 2019 for Flinders University in South Australia.
New report - Northern Territory Outreach Hearing Health
Program: July 2012 to December 2017
A report published this week by the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare presents information
on hearing health outreach services provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and
young people in the Northern Territory.

It shows that in 2017, 1,870 audiology, 876 ear, nose and throat teleotology and 876 Clinical
Nurse Specialist services were provided. Among children and young people who received
treatment, 55% had improved hearing loss and 65% had improved hearing impairment over
subsequent visits.

Download the report at

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/indig
enous-health-welfare-services/nt-
hearing-program-2012-2017/formats

Why is ear and hearing health important?

Hearing loss is more prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, compared with
non-Indigenous Australians, and continues to be an important health and social issue. Compared
with non-Indigenous children, Indigenous children are reported to have 2.9 times the rate of ear
and hearing problems.

What is ear and hearing health?

‘Ear and hearing health’ can refer to a variety of ear-related conditions; hearing impairment;
hearing loss; and the relationship between these health problems.

‘Middle ear disease’ includes conditions such as otitis media and its various forms, and Eustachian
tube dysfunction (ETD). Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear, and can be caused by
an infection or ETD. The Eustachian tube functions to equalise the pressure in the middle ear to
atmospheric pressure, and impairment of this function is known as ETD. Eustachian tube function
can be impaired for a number of reasons, and most commonly occurs in childhood when it is
developing and enlarged adenoids (glands in the roof of the mouth) are often present.
New national disability telecommunications information service
Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has launched Australia’s first
independent information resource for telecommunications products suitable for people with
disability.

Known as the Accessible Telecoms project, the interactive website and call centre will be the much
needed one-stop shop for information about the accessibility features of both mainstream and
assistive telecommunications equipment suitable for people with disability. It is made possible
thanks to a National Readiness grant from the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

As Australia’s peak body representing communications consumers, ACCAN has been advocating
for a service that will eliminate the growing information vacuum about equipment and services
suitable for people with disability in our increasingly digitally connected society.

“There is an acknowledged lack of up-to-date, appropriate and independent information about

telecommunications equipment and services available for Australians with disability,” said Wayne
Hawkins, ACCAN Director of Inclusion.

“We’re pleased that the NDIA understands the significance of this project in assisting Australians
with disability to be able to utilise telecommunications to enable greater participation in all aspects
of Australian life – economic, social, and cultural and community.”

Telecommunications are now a vital part of our everyday lives, from accessing government
services, to keeping in touch with family and friends. This is no less true for the more than 4
million Australians who identify as having a disability. It is essential that every one of us is able to
connect and communicate using telecommunications.

Accessible Telecoms will provide information about the accessibility features of telephone
handsets (fixed, mobile and teletypewriters) as well as the accessories which make them usable
for people with disability. The service will also provide information about available set-up, training
and on-going support that can provide people with disability with the skills and confidence to
maximise the benefits of telecommunications access.

Over time the information available will expand to include accessible tablets, mobile apps and
software that can enable people with disability to connect with the telecommunications networks.

“I am excited about the new service from ACCAN. The community needs better information about
accessible telecommunications suitable for people with disability, and the ACCAN referral service
has the potential to provide this,” said Alastair McEwin, Disability Discrimination Commissioner.

“It is so important that we facilitate connectedness and participation across our communities, and
creating accessible communications are essential to that.”
ACCAN has enlisted IDEAS (Information on Disability Education and Awareness Service) to deliver
the information via their website and call centre.

“It may be a surprise to many people who live without disabilities that accessing truly accessible
telecoms hardware and software is very complex. While apps and screen modifications on smart
phones can be of some assistance to people with disability, these specifications may not be right
for people with particular mobility, sensory, and memory or cognitive conditions,” said IDEAS CEO,
Diana Palmer.

“Through Accessible Telecoms, we’re excited to offer people with disability up-to-date and
independent telecommunications resources that can be accessed by web, live chat or phone. This
is a momentous undertaking, as it marks the first time that people with disabilities will be able to
engage with a resource to help them determine exactly what they want from their
telecommunications products.”

Accessible Telecoms is available at http://www.ideas.org.au/telecom/category or by phoning

IDEAS on 1800 029 904.

For more information email accessible.telecoms@accan.org.au

New NDIS website

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is testing a new website. You are invited to comment
on it.

https://beta.ndis.gov.au/

The website is being trialed for a six week period, and the existing website will still be available
during this time.

The NDIS is seeking community feedback on the design, structure, accessibility and layout of the
new website.

Feedback can be provided via the test website or via a dedicated email address:
websitefeedback@ndis.gov.au

• This is a test website that is still undergoing final feedback before its official release. The
www.ndis.gov.au remains the primary source of information.
• Functionality like the ‘contact us’ form on the test website will not be live during the trial.
• External websites that link to www.ndis.gov.au should not link to the test site, as URLs will
change once it has officially been released.
• Should you encounter any bugs, glitches, lack of functionality or other problems on the test
website, please let the NDIS know.
The Commonwealth Government has created a special committee to develop a Roadmap (plan)
that sets out future directions and priorities for addressing the social and economic costs of
hearing loss, deafness and ear and balance disorders.

Deafness Forum of Australia is a member of this committee and speaks on behalf of people with a
lived experience and for the not for profit organisations that support them.

There are other members that represent peer groups, information providers, hearing health
practitioners and service providers, hearing device manufacturers, colleges and societies, experts
in Indigenous ear and hearing health; and the Department of Health.

While the work on the Roadmap (plan) continues, a sticking point is finding the right terminology
that is inclusive of all people with hearing issues. (This uncertainty does not include people who
are Deaf and whose language is Auslan.)

For many, it might be a matter of very little consequence or perhaps it is an irritation, but it is
important that this Government committee uses the proper terminology.

To try to sort this out, Deafness Forum was asked to conduct a national survey to find what are
the most popular and appropriate words that can be used to describe a person who has a hearing
loss, or deafness, or whatever you think it should be called.

In this very short but important survey we will ask you to tell us what word, words or phrase(s)
you would be comfortable with.

It is important to note that we are asking you to tell us about yourself and not your opinion about
other people who might have a different hearing issue.

There will also be an opportunity to record your comments. We expect that many will say that
labels are not helpful, but we do need to be specific about who will be the focus of government
policy and actions in relation to hearing health and wellbeing.

Start the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PXZT2GP

GN Hearing announced as innovation awards honoree
GN Hearing has been named a CES® 2019 Innovation Awards Honouree for ReSound LiNX
Quattro™, the world’s first Premium-Plus hearing aid.

The announcement was made during CES Unveiled New York, a tech event bringing together top
media, exhibitors and industry leaders for a sneak peek of the products and trends expected at
CES 2019 next month in Las Vegas, United States.

An annual program that celebrates outstanding design, the CES Innovation Awards recognises
honorees across 28 product categories. A panel of judges, including designers, engineers and
members of the tech media, review submissions based on design, functionality, consumer appeal,
engineering and how the products compare with competition.

“Innovation is part of our DNA at GN Hearing” says Andreas Anderhov, General Manager, GN
Hearing ANZ.

“We strive to support people living with hearing loss access the latest technology that helps them
hear more, do more and be more than they ever thought possible.

“With the launch of ReSound LiNX Quattro, as well as other major technology launches and
innovation partnerships, GN Hearing is continuing to shape the future of hearing care.”

Powered by new technology, ReSound LiNX Quattro is the world’s most advanced rechargeable
hearing solution, offering a brilliant sound experience with unprecedented Layers of Sound™. The
innovative technology is recognised in the Accessibility Awards category.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety will look into the system and standards
of care for ageing Australians.

This website provides information about the work of the Royal Commission, and how you can
make submissions, and when and where hearings will be held.
https://agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
Hearing aids claimed to slow dementia by 75%, new study finds
By Henry Bodkin for The Telegraph, U.K.
Wearing a hearing aid can slow the progress of dementia by up to 75 per cent, according to a
new study. Scientists believe that keeping older people engaged and active by adopting the
devices can significantly reduce age-related cognitive decline.

They followed the progress of 2,040 individuals between 1996 and 2014, asking them to complete
word memory tests at various stages and monitoring the rate of decline before and after getting a
hearing aid. The research team found that while the aids did not halt or reverse cognitive decline,
they slowed it down by three-quarters, meanwhile in a separate group of 2,068 who underwent
cataract surgery, decline slowed by around half. The team at the University of Manchester said
the strength of the association between hearing aids, cataract surgery and mental deterioration
meant policy makers should consider hearing and sight loss screening for all older adults.

Dr Piers Dawes said, "These studies underline just how important it is to overcome the barriers
which deny people from accessing hearing and visual aids. It's not really certain why hearing and
visual problems have an impact on cognitive decline, but I'd guess that isolation, stigma and the
resultant lack of physical activity that are linked to hearing and vision problems might have
something to do with it. And there are barriers to overcome - people might not want to wear
hearing aids because of stigma attached to wearing them, or they feel the amplification is not
good enough or they're not comfortable.”

The number of people in Britain suffering hearing problems will rise by 40 per cent by 2035 amid
a rapidly ageing population.

The charity Action on Hearing Loss believes the number of people suffering such difficulties will
rise from one in six to one in five, as it called for more investment in treatment and research into
hearing loss.

Despite this, only £1.11 per person with hearing loss is spent researching potential cures,
compared with £11.35 for every person with sight loss.

The new research was published in PLOS ONE and the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Brett Lee: newborn hearing screening in Ker (India) my dream:
Australian cricketer Brett Lee said that he dreams of Kerala becoming the first state in India to
make Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) mandatory.

"UNHS is mandatory in Australia. In Kerala, we are getting to that level and it has to be extended
to the private sector," he said.

The former international fast bowler, the Global Hearing Ambassador of hearing aid manufacturer
Cochlear, was the chief guest at an event organised to create awareness on the need to conduct
hearing screening on newborns.

On an emotional note, Lee also recalled the time when his five-year-old son suffered a traumatic
injury as a result of landing head first on the floor, leading to hearing loss.

"He suffered hearing loss. I was mortified and upset. Those days he had to move from the back
row of the class to the front. Luckily for him, his nerve became all right after some time," he
recalled, adding the experience made him associate with an initiative that changes the lives of
many children.

"Thanks to the rising awareness and education in India, the people are gradually aware of the
social stigma that this disability generates. We want to ensure that every single child born in
Kerala will have screening done for hearing," Lee said.

Bret Lee is in India to promote his film "UnIndian". The former Australian pacer also said that he
still loves cricket but getting into acting is the second innings of his life.

"I want people to enjoy the film. It's a romantic comedy and there is humour and lot of passion.
This film is about a cross cultural relationship. After watching it, lots of people have come and
said that's what we are going through," he added.

Preview this cracker of a film at https://youtu.be/OiWW56n8yPU

CICADA Queensland has launched its latest publication 'Everything you need to know about
cochlear implants'.

The publication will be an invaluable tool for cochlear implant clinics and people interested in an
implant.

The 42 page booklet takes you through the process in easy to read format. The book is the
brainchild of Sunshine Coast Rep Cochlear Implant Recipient of the Year Penny Phillips, with help
from Josie McMahon and Shirley Edwards.

CICADA Queensland is not charging for the booklet but would like a donation towards
administration costs plus postage.

Contact secretary@cicadaqld.com.au for more information.

This is the final edition of One in Six for 2018.

Know someone who might like to receive it next year?
Drop us a line to hello@deafnessforum.org.au

Items in Deafness Forum communications may incorporate or summarise views, standards or recommendations of third parties.
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. We make no representation or warranty about the accuracy, reliability, currency or
completeness of any third party information. We want to be newsworthy and interesting and our aim is to be balanced and to
represent views of from throughout our community sector, however this may not be reflected in particular editions or in a time
period. Content may be edited for style and length.