The Science of Healthy Hearing: Recent Episodes
Ear Science Institute Australia
Welcome to the Ear Science Podcast, the science of healthy hearing proudly presented by Ear Science Institute Australia, a not-for-profit medical research institute. In this podcast, we will bring you into our world, the world of ear and hearing science. Together with our guest speakers, we will discuss the latest ear and hearing research and what it means to you. Hosted by Dan Van Der Meer, Digital Content Specialist and Podcast Host is passionate about raising awareness for the impact of hearing loss and Lize Coetzee, Chief Operating Officer at Ear Science Institute Australia.This podcast provides information of a general nature and does not constitute medical advice.
For this episode of The Science of Healthy Hearing, we are doing something a little bit different. Recently, Lions Hearing Clinic Audiologist Pia Nairn was interviewed for the Purple Pen Podcast about Tinnitus. Pia specialises in helping clients with management and treatment of Tinnitus. In our clinics we see clients every day who are struggling with hearing loss and one common issue is Tinnitus. There is a perception among the community, including the medical community, that “there is no cure for tinnitus”, and while that is true, we know there are treatment options that can greatly reduce its impact in daily life. At Ear Science, we believe that science backed by research and education are key to shifting attitudes and changing mindsets.
An important part of an Audiologist’s role is to help the client understand what tinnitus is, what causes it and how to implement strategies to manage it. When a client works with an Audiologist the impact of tinnitus on daily life can be greatly reduced.
Contact Usenquiries@earscience.org.au
www.earscience.org.au
Learn more about our research
Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter
In this episode, two-time Big Brother winner Reggie Bird discusses her recent diagnosis of Usher Syndrome, a rare but debilitating condition leading to deaf-blindness which to date is incurable. Reggie shares her story and highlights the importance of raising awareness and her support for research into treatments and a cure
We are then joined by Principal Research Fellow Dr Elaine Wong and Surgeon Scientist, Founding Director of Ear Science Institute Australia Professor Marcus Atlas who are part of a world-leading research team developing gene therapy to repair and regenerate hearing. Their ground-breaking research using stem cells has the potential to unlock insights into the genetic causes of hearing loss with the ultimate goal of finding a cure. In their current project, their team is focused on Usher Syndrome and they will share the current status of this vital research.
Contact Usenquiries@earscience.org.au
www.earscience.org.au
Learn more about our research
Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter
In this episode Dr Rob Eikelboom helps us understand that we should see hearing as part of the whole body, and how it is connected to many aspects of health and illness, and how illness or injury can affect hearing or vice versa.
Contact Usenquiries@earscience.org.au
www.earscience.org.au
Learn more about our research
Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter
In this episode, Audiologist Jordan Bishop guides us through all our questions in a Hearing 101 session.
Jordan will share with us the signs of hearing loss, strategies to protect our hearing, how we can manage hearing loss, manage ear wax and more to help us maintain healthy hearing.
Contact Usenquiries@earscience.org.au
www.earscience.org.au
Learn more about our research
Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter
In this episode, Dr Tommy Lai, General Practitioner and Director of MedOne Medical Centre will discuss the GPs role in caring for your hearing health.
We highlight how GPs, Audiologists and ENTs work together to care for your ear and hearing health and help you understand who to go to for help with your hearing.
Contact Usenquiries@earscience.org.au
www.earscience.org.au
Learn more about our research
Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter
In part one of this episode Dr Shelly Chadha set the global scene of the hearing health crisis. Now, in part two, CEO of Ear Science Institute Australia, Sandra Bellekom is joined by Senator Dorinda Cox to discuss the crisis closer to home, here in Australia and in the Asia Pacific region. They will yarn about the impact hearing loss has on the Indigenous community, and how Ear Science is taking action.
Contact Usenquiries@earscience.org.au
www.earscience.org.au
Learn more about our research
Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter
In this episode, we mark World Hearing Day 2023, Technical Lead for Ear and Hearing Health at the World Health Organisation Dr Shelly Chadha, highlights the crisis in hearing health that the world is facing and what the WHO in their 2023 campaign “Hearing Care for All, Let’s Make it a Reality” is doing to helping address the crisis.
Later, in part two we are joined by the CEO of Ear Science Institute Australia, Sandra Bellekom and Dorinda Cox who discuss the crisis closer to home, here in Australia and in the Asia Pacific region.
Contact Usenquiries@earscience.org.au
www.earscience.org.au
Learn more about our research
Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter
In this episode, Scientist and Chief Operator Office of Research at Ear Science David Sly will share with us the latest research on the phenomenon of Hidden Hearing Loss.
Every day clients walk into hearing clinics around the world concerned about their hearing, yet hearing tests show that they have ‘normal’ hearing. What is this, and what can you do if you’re experiencing it?
Contact Usenquiries@earscience.org.au
www.earscience.org.au
Learn more about our research
Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter
February 25th is Cochlear Implant Awareness Day.
In this Special Episode for audiologists and healthcare professionals, Senior Implant Audiologist & Cochlear Implant Research Lead Dr Cathy Sucher talks with Jody French who is a Cochlear Implant recipient.
Cathy and Jody will discuss some early findings from a recent study that has revealed a clearer view of why referral for Cochlear Implants is not as high as it should be, and what audiologists and other clinicians can do to help.
Contact Usenquiries@earscience.org.au
www.earscience.org.au
Learn more about our research
Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter
Qualified Audiologist Daniel Gerace shares with us how the latest research on the impact of hearing loss is guiding clinical care. He shares how technology such as invisible hearing aids, Bluetooth enabled devices, connectivity to smartphones and TVs is helping people feel empowered to take control of their hearing and experience the world in full sound!
In this episode, you will learn
1.18 | How is the latest research actually implemented in client care?
2.07 | What advancements can we expect in the future of hearing devices?
4.30 | How you can stream a phone call directly to your hearing aid
11.45 | What are 'hearables'
13.49 | Why you shouldn't just put your hearing aids in a drawer
16.03 | What options are available for people treating hearing loss
This podcast provides information of a general nature and does not constitute medical advice.
VIEW TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE
Resources mentioned
Maidment, D. W., Ali, Y. H., & Ferguson, M. A. (2019). Applying the COM-B model to assess the usability of smartphone-connected listening devices in adults with hearing loss. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 30(05), 417-430.
Livingston, G. et al. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The LANCET 396, 413-446.
Simpson AN, Matthews LJ, Cassarly C, Dubno JR. Time from hearing aid candidacy to hearing aid adoption: a longitudinal cohort study. Ear and Hearing. 40(3):468-476; 2019.
Ferguson, M., Brandreth, M., Brassington, W., Leighton, P., & Wharrad, H. (2016). A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the benefits of a multimedia educational program for first-time hearing aid users. Ear and hearing, 37(2), 123.
D, Gianopoulos I. 2007. Acceptability, benefit and costs of early screening for hearing disability: a study of potential screening tests and models. Health Technol Assess, 11, 1-294.\
Hearing Care Industry Association. Hearing for life: The value of hearing services for vulnerable Australians Deloitte Access Economics, Canberra, Australia. 2020.
More information on Hearing Devices
Hearing Aids
How can I get my clients to wear their hearing aids? | Bec Bennett
Calling all preowned or unwanted hearing aids
World Hearing Day
Cochlear Implant
Cochlear Implants | When is it time to think about a cochlear implant?
Senior Implant Audiologist Ronel Chester-Browne will share with us her knowledge & insights into Cochlear Implants. This marvelous Australian invention truly changes lives & now-a-days Cochlear Implants are routinely recommended for when hearing aids are just not enough.
In this episode, you will learn
1.00 | What are cochlear implants? Differences between hearing aid & implant?
2.04 | Who might get a hearing implant?
3.28 | How has technology & candidacy changed over the last 30 years?
5.00 | Are hearing implants just for children?
6.00 | How is technology expanding options eg. remote adjustments/telehealth?
7:35 | Identifying a cochlear implant candidate.
10.13 | Latest research on hearing implants? Why do only 10% of people who need a cochlear implant have one?
13.58 | How to find out if a cochlear implant might be right for you or your loved one.
16.25 | What motivates Ronel in her work as an implant audiologist?
17.38 | Ear Science Clinic Mentor Service, to match candidates with someone who has gone through the journey
20.00 | Key take-aways
This podcast provides information of a general nature and does not constitute medical advice.
DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE
Resources mentioned
To view with captions, list of references and other resources
Glossary of terms
14.13 | "Ski Slope" hearing Loss - This is when a person has very good low frequency hearing and it gradually drops towards the high frequencies. In these cases they have limited or no high frequency hearing.
4.13 | Residual hearing - The hearing that is still present inside the ear, without the use of amplification. This can also refer to the hearing that is still present following a cochlear implant, when no amplification devices are worn.
4.13 | Low frequency hearing loss - A hearing loss in the low tones that provide access to low pitch speech sounds, eg /aa/ / oo/ /mm/, in other words, the deeper tones.
4.45 | Single sided deafness - This is when a person has normal hearing in the one ear and a severe to profound hearing loss (very limited hearing) in the other ear.
About Ronel Chester-Browne
Ronel has been involved in Cochlear Implantation for the last 28 years. Ronel has been working at the Ear Science Institute, Ear Science Implant Clinic, as Clinical Coordination & Senior Implant Audiologist for the last 11 years. She became a member of the Pretoria Cochlear Implant Program in South Africa in 1993. Her experience includes complex audiological assessments, implant candidacy assessments, device activation & management, programming & rehabilitation of cochlear implant devices.
She is very involved in education and training of university students and other professionals in the field of implantable hearing devices and has been involved in several research projects.
More informationTest your hearing aid (Hearing Aid Check)
Research to improve the reliability of cochlear implants
International Cochlear Implant Day
Is a cochlear implant right for you?
Dr Dona Jayakody is a world-leading researcher who is pioneering research into the link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. In this episode, we will talk to Dona about how and why Hearing Loss contributes to cognitive decline, and how we can reduce the risk of dementia as we all get older.
In this episode, you will learn
1.10 | What is cognitive decline? What are 'normal' memory issues versus when does it become a problem?
2.05 | Why and how does untreated hearing loss impact on depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, isolation and increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia?
3.15 | Why it's really important to seek help early, to normalise getting hearing checked during midlife, like seeing the dentist or optometrist.
4.58 | Does research show Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants are an effective treatment to stave off dementia?
5.35 | Ear Science is leading a large randomised controlled trial (HearCog) to see if we can delay or arrest dementia by treating Hearing Loss, recruiting participants now.
6.16 | What is the feedback from trial participants as a result of getting hearing aids?
9.05 | If we have loved ones experiencing dementia – is treating Hearing Loss important? Why is this, how does it help?
11.50 | What is the impact of untreated hearing loss on mental wellbeing, psychosocial wellbeing, cognitive functions, quality of life in indigenous older adults? What are the barriers to seeking treatment? If we overcome these barriers, what impact are we going to see?
15.00 | Importance of using non-verbal cognitive assessments/screening, to get an accurate indication of cognitive function.
18.45 | Key take away messages
This podcast provides information of a general nature and does not constitute medical advice.
VIEW TRANSCRIPT OF EPISODE
Resources mentioned
To view this episode with captions & view complete list of references
WA Centre for Health and Ageing
About Dona Jayakody
More information on Hearing Loss & Dementia
More information on the HearCog Clinical Trial
In this episode, Audiologist Dr Bec Bennett will share with us some of her latest research into some of the less understood aspects of Hearing Loss – the social and emotional impacts.
Bec’s research confirms that many people with Hearing Loss experience feelings of loneliness, feeling left out, embarrassment, or worry about hearing or saying the wrong thing. This may also contribute to anxiety or depression.
Bec helps explain that this is a common experience for people with hearing loss, and her research informs an empathetic approach for all of us to better understand and support people with hearing loss.
In this episode, you will learn:
0:50 | Ear Science research participants share their stories of how it feels to experience hearing loss
3:05 | Bec’s journey from Audiologist to Researcher
4:20 | Why research the social and emotional impacts of hearing loss?
5:20 | How does Hearing Loss affect people
6.00 | How does Ear Science connect experiences with clients/patients in the clinic to the research lab? Research in real-time!
7.47 | What is the research telling us about the social and emotional impacts of hearing loss
9.45 | How to identify if a loved one may be experiencing Hearing Loss
24.30 | The impact of this research on the government Hearing Services Program
27.00 | Key takeaways
29.00 | What can we do to support a friend or family member who is experiencing Hearing Loss? Some practical tips.
Resources mentioned
Hearing loss affects us all in different ways (YouTube Video)
Bennett, R. J., Meyer, C. J., Ryan, B., Barr, C., Laird, E., & Eikelboom, R. H. (2020). Knowledge, beliefs, and practices of Australian audiologists in addressing the mental health needs of adults with hearing loss. American journal of audiology, 29(2), 129-142.
Bennett, R. J., Barr, C., Cortis, A., Eikelboom, R. H., Ferguson, M., Gerace, D., … & Bellekom, S. (2020). Audiological approaches to address the psychosocial needs of adults with hearing loss: perceived benefit and likelihood of use. International Journal of Audiology, 1-8.
Simpson AN, Matthews LJ, Cassarly C, Dubno JR. Time from hearing aid candidacy to hearing aid adoption: a longitudinal cohort study. Ear and Hearing. 40(3):468-476; 2019. doi: 10.1097/AUD.0000000000000641
Audiology Australia
More information on the impact of hearing loss:
Impact of Hearing Loss
Hearing and Mental Wellbeing
This podcast provides information of a general nature and does not constitute medical advice.
In this episode, Founding Director of Ear Science Institute Australia, Professor Marcus Atlas will unpack the latest research in curing hearing loss & what the future might hold.
But how long do we wait for a cure?
2.00 | Why is hearing so important?
2.13 | What has Ear Science been doing to help with hearing loss?
3.05 | What is the prevalence of hearing loss, who does it affect & how has this changed over time?
5.35 | What is the connection between hearing loss & dementia?
6.40 | How has treating hearing loss for a surgeon changed over time?
8.24 | Is age a barrier when it comes to hearing implants?
10.50 | Can we cure hearing loss?
11.15 | Why did Marcus become a surgeon-scientist?
12.03 | How is Ear Science adapting stem cells to become Organoids to grow an inner ear?
13.30 | How are Organoids helping us understand & develop experiments, medications, treatments & genetics to prevent or cure hearing loss?
16.20 | How is Ear Science’s research funded?
17.57 | How are Ear Science’s researchers working to treat & prevent middle ear infections? How would this help in particular Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples?
23.00 | Is there a cure, should I wait?
24.55 | How can the community get involved in finding a cure for hearing loss?
26.10 | Key take-aways
Resources mentioned
Hearing Care Industry Association. Hearing for life: The value of hearing services for vulnerable Australians Deloitte Access Economics, Canberra, Australia. 2020.
Professor Graeme Clark
Looi V, Bluett C, Boisvert I. Referral rates of postlingually deafened adult hearing aid users for a cochlear implant candidacy assessment. International Journal of Audiology. 56:919-925; 2017.
National Health & Medical Research Council
Ear Science Ambassador Justin Langer
Ear Science’s Gift of Hearing Appeal
Ear Science Research/ Researchers:Dr Elaine Wong
Organoid Research
Dr Hani Al Salami
Cleardrum
Professor Marcus Atlas
Dona Jayakody’s HearCog Trial
More information on finding a cure for hearing loss
Signs of hearing loss
Live with Ear Science Panel
Hearing Therapeutics
Australian Usher Gene Therapy Coalition
Regenerative stem cell research
WHO World Report on Hearing March 2021
Closing the Gap Report
In this episode, Qualified Audiologist & tinnitus specialist Sasha Benatar helps us understand this common condition.
What it is, what causes it and how can it be treated.
In this episode, you will learn
1:10 | Overview of tinnitus
2:30 | Is it curable?
3:06 | What causes tinnitus?
5:50 | How do people experience tinnitus?
7.28 | Non-invasive tinnitus, versus those for whom their tinnitus is impacting their quality of life
10.00 | Do you just have to “live with it”?
10.20 | What is the Lions Hearing Clinic approach to Tinnitus management?
15.55 | How can parents help mitigate the risk of their children developing tinnitus?
19.30 | What happens during a tinnitus appointment
27.55 | What does the future hold for tinnitus?
29:05 | Key takeaways from this episode.
Glossary of terms
2:40 | Heterogenic – consisting of parts or things that are very different from each other.
4:30 | Limbic System – the limbic system is the part of the brain involved in our behavioural and emotional responses, especially when it comes to behaviours we need for survival: feeding, reproduction and caring for our young, and fight or flight responses.
6:10 | Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS) – TTS is a change in hearing threshold that recovers to pre-exposure levels (baseline) over time.
11:15 | Habituation – the process of people or animals becoming used to something so that they no longer find it unpleasant or think it is a threat.
17: 10 | Cilia (Stereocilia) – Cochlear hair cells are the sensory cells of the auditory system. These cells possess stereocilia connected to the tectorial membrane. During auditory stimulation, sound waves in the cochlea cause deflection of the hair cell stereocilia, which creates an electrical signal in the hair cell.
More information on Tinnitus
Do Your Ears Ring? Don’t Let Tinnitus Affect Your Peace
Tinnitus – Take our tinnitus quiz
Hearing and Tinnitus Advice Line
GP Alert | Over 60% of your patients may have tinnitus. How can you help them?
Resources mentioned
HealthDirect. (2021). Tinnitus. Healthdirect.gov.au
Stegeman I, Eikelboom R, Smit A, Bucks R, Baguley D, Stokroos R, Bennett B, Tegg-Quinn S, Hunter M, Atlas M. Tinnitus and its associations with general health, mental health and hearing loss in a population study. In: Tinnitus-An Interdisciplinary Approach Towards Individualized Treatment: Towards Understanding the Complexity of Tinnitus. Elsevier. pp.431-450; 2021.
Tegg-Quinn S, Eikelboom RH, Brennan-Jones CG, Barabash S, Mulders WHAM, Bennett RJ. Reducing the Impact of Tinnitus on Children and Adolescents’ Lives: A Mixed-Methods Concept Mapping Study. International Journal of Pediatrics. 2021: 5534192; 2021. 10.1155/2021/5534192
Welcome to the Ear Science Podcast, the science of healthy hearing proudly presented by Ear Science Institute Australia, a not-for-profit medical research institute.
In this podcast, we will bring you into our world, the world of ear and hearing science. Together with our guest speakers, we will discuss the latest ear and hearing research and what it means to you.
Hosted by Dan Van Der Meer, Digital Content Specialist, Podcast Host, and passionate about raising awareness for the impact of hearing loss and Lize Coetzee, Chief Operating Officer at Ear Science Institute Australia.
This podcast provides information of a general nature and does not constitute medical advice.