Need EXTRA copies in your waiting room? Subscribe for FREE! Special offer to read the latest issue online at £30 pa for ten copies per month www.hearingtimes.co.uk for a limited time only call 0845 2930688 ® HearingJune 2010 Timeswww.hearingtimes.co.uk Tinnitus ‘epidemic’ speaks volumes BSL teaching assistant wins national award Alesia Parshutsina is on her way to becoming a qualified teacher of British Sign Language (BSL), despite knowing barely any English until three years ago and being profoundly deaf The 21 year old from South Ockenden in Essex, was recognised for her dedication and commitment to learning with the Outstanding Individual Learner in the East of England award, as part of Adult Learners’ Week 15 - 21 May. Alesia’s ambition to qualify as a teacher for deaf children is remarkable, not only because she is profoundly deaf, but also because until three years ago Alarming new statistics released in Scotland show reported cases of tinnitus among the young are on she knew barely any English. the increase, raising fears that with constant misuse of music players at high volume, the so called There are few opportunities for deaf ‘MP3 generation’ is putting their hearing at serious risk and storing up major trouble for the future people in her native Belarus, so on leaving school, she came to the UK and Latest statistics released by the “Tinnitus is historically considered an Their findings, suggesting as many signed up at the City Lit on its ‘New Scottish Executive, show that over older person’s condition, yet we see the of 75% of under 55s are experiencing Start in the UK’ course. the last twelve months, approximately staggering fact that in the research, almost difficulty with their hearing and tinnitus 6,000 people under 55 consulted their as many people under 55 years old sought in particular, is supported by these new “I have never seen such GP reporting tinnitus symptoms. This treatment as those over the age of 55.” figures. This growth in reported tinnitus progress made by a foreign is in much greater numbers and at a is taking place amid a troubling lack deaf person new to the UK.” much younger age range than would World Health Organisation of awareness among the young of the be expected, prompting fears that this reports that some 4,000,000 dangers of loud music. “From the word go Alesia had a real trend is just the tip of the iceberg and people in the UK risk Initiatives such as the ‘Bionic Ear Show’ thirst for knowledge,” says Sian Reeves, set to continue unless remedial action damage to their ears by developed by Deafness Research UK in senior co-ordinator, Skills for Life, at is taken. exposure to loud music association with BUPA and Cubex’s recent the City Lit. “I have never seen such Around one in five people between ‘Love your Music? Save your Hearing’ progress made by a foreign deaf person 55 and 65 years old report tinnitus So many famous people in the campaign during Noise Awareness new to the UK.” symptoms, but as hearing naturally industry from Pete Townshend to the Week last month, have been getting the Not only has she progressed through deteriorates past the age of 55, it is the legendary Sir George Martin have all message across by taking the warnings the Entry Levels of literacy and numeracy figures showing much younger people experienced deafness and tinnitus and about hearing loss directly into schools, faster than most students, she has also consulting their GPs with tinnitus which hopefully, the young will take a tip from colleges and local high streets. taken British Sign Language, CLAIT is a real cause for concern. Some 2,798 their idols and turn the volume down. Deafness Research UK also continues and ECDL qualifications and branched people in the 25-44 age range consulted “If we do not do something about this to fund cutting edge research, while out into such diverse subjects as Thai their GP, which is nearly as many as now, we will have a tinnitus and hearing offering support and advice to people massage, watercolours and GCSE Maths. those reported consulting over 55. loss epidemic on our hands in a few suffering now. “The Scottish statistics published are years,” warned Vivienne. incredibly alarming and back up what The World Health Organisation For further information on deafness we have been saying for some time,” reports that some 4,000,000 people and deafness-related conditions, said Vivienne Michael, Chief Executive in the UK risk damage to their ears by call freephone 0808 808 2222 or of Deafness Research UK. exposure to loud music. visit www.deafnessresearch.org.uk. The Ear Foundation celebrates 21st birthday In 1989 the first cochlear implant for many came to join us to celebrate the Rushcliffe, who has made The Ear a child in the UK was funded by The day – old and new friends – babies to Foundation her charity of the year. The Ear Foundation and carried out at the adults with implants – with The Ear Mayor has seen The Ear Foundation Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham with Foundation making a difference to grow from its early beginnings in 1989 much support from the local community. their lives. The sun shone as people and is delighted to support it in its 21 Today the majority of children born used the opportunity to look at The year.” profoundly deaf go on to have a cochlear Ear Foundation’s facilities for implant Marian Batt, mother of Michael, the implant and are able to hear, and attend users and their families – to see how boy who received the first implant in mainstream schools. Cochlear implants our new Sound Advice service with 1989, said last year “The change in 20 have transformed the opportunities for Maria Cameron can help them make years is unbelievable. We all had to fight these children, and for the increasing the most of their implants. They also for implantation to be available and The numbers of deaf adults who are took the time to chat and catch up – Ear Foundation funded the operations choosing to have implants. and to enjoy the activities- a magician then. Now the amazing opportunities Alesia acts as a peer teacher in class, Many of these children and adults to entertain – animals from White Post Michael has are open to all deaf children volunteers and works part-time as PA with implants enjoyed the party at Farm sanctuary to enjoy - and to show and their families.” to the Director of Empowering Deaf The Ear Foundation’s headquarters in prowess on the Wii games! For more information call Sue Archbold society and is an assistant teacher of Nottingham, as Chief Executive, Sue “We were delighted to welcome or Jo Collinson on 01159 42 1985 or British Sign Language. Archbold said, “We were delighted so Councillor Marie Males, Mayor of visit www.earfoundation.org.uk continued on page 2 2 News www.hearingtimes.co.uk June 2010 Continued from the front page... “In the UK I have the opportunity how learning can absolutely transform story to take up learning and discover Editor’s message to enjoy life fully, get education I am lives, often leading to new jobs and new opportunities for themselves.” interested in and no one pointing the careers; and helping people to cope, or Summer is just round the corner finger at me because I am deaf,” she said. even overcome, the many challenges For more information about the and here in the office we are Rachel Thomson, Senior Campaigns that they face. National Institute of Adult Continuing already gearing up for it! Officer at NIACE, said, “Alesia, like all Hopefully millions of adults across Education visit www.niace.org.uk. of this year’s award winners, is proof of the country will be inspired by Alesia’s The theme this month is ‘festivals and the outdoors’ and the whole issue is packed full of ideas and BSHAA Congress 2010 a success suggestions of things for you to Hearing Times recently attended the annual congress of the British do with friends and family. Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (BSHAA), the professional body for hearing aid audiologists in the public sector Copies of Hearing Times will be distributed at many events The conference was hosted at the upbeat tone.” Heppell was a memorable over the next month, including ‘Theatre of Dreams’, Manchester United end to the successful congress, leaving Glastonbury Festival. Football Club’s Old Trafford Stadium. delegates with the suggestion to ‘just smile’. “Hearing aid audiology in the UK is Don’t forget, if you go to an event entering a new era in 2010 with the Lewin concluded, “We must focus you can write in and tell us about demise of the HAC and the Society aims on our core skills, such as how we can it, we might even put your letter to inspire its members to new levels of become more proficient and understand Karl Langton, Conversor with in the next issue of the paper! performance,” said BSHAA President, and engage our clients better. This is a Remco vd Kruit, Progress Hearing Roger Lewin. “In particular customer very optimistic event!” service will be a big issue for hearing As always, you can also contact aid audiology as it enters the era of self More companies than ever took part in us with your news and views, regulation.” the trade exhibition which ran alongside just email editorial@ seminars attended by BSHAA delegates. hearingtimes.co.uk “This year’s Congress is different, IAC, Mary Hare Training Services, we have changed what used to be a Arlington Laboratories, The Hearing Aid ‘scientific’ event into a ‘people’ event Repair Shop, Progress Hearing, Geemarc Take advantage of our FREE and this can only be a good thing!” Telecom, the Health Professions Council, online subscription to Hearing Gordon Morris/Comfort Audio and Times; simply go to Best selling author and business guru Conversor were all in attendance.