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Wednesday 26 February, 2020 THE WEEKLY TIMES 9

Alan Edwards,
left, “hasn’t
looked back”
after addressing
his hearing loss
with cochlear
implants.

What to do when hearing aids are no longer enough

One in three people over the age of 65 experience hearing loss, says Associate Professor Catherine Birman, Medical Director of Sydney Cochlear Implant
Centre (SCIC), a service of the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC).

Associate Professor Birman says lead to withdrawal, social isolation, was an effort to have conversations vocates for cochlear implants as a between 2:00pm and 3:30pm
hearing devices such as a cochlear depression and anxiety amongst and to work hard at trying to hear,” hearing solution for people. on Monday March 2. Hear from
implant “keep people connected older adults,” Associate Professor he says. This left him feeling isolat- And a year after receiving his a cochlear implant recipient and
to their friends and family and their Birman said. ed. “When things become isolating second implant, Alan hasn’t looked have your questions answered.
community” and for these people, Despite this, 90% of adults with there is a tendency to withdraw. In- back. “It is beyond measure the im- To register contact the team
implantable hearing solutions are hearing loss who could benefit itially, I thought it [hearing loss] was pact it has had on me,” Alan says. on 1300 581 391 or info@ridbc.
an option when their hearing aids from a cochlear implant don’t have just something I had to deal with. I He hopes that by sharing his sto- org.au SCIC, an RIDBC service,
are no longer enough. one. thought it was inevitable.” ry he too can have a positive im- is Australia’s largest cochlear
If hearing loss is not addressed Sydney man Alan Edwards has Alan persisted with hearing aids pact on people experiencing hear- implant program supporting over
by middle age, there is a higher benefited from a cochlear implant. despite them becoming “physically ing loss just like him. 4,000 people at over 20 sites
risk of dementia. Associate Profes- When Alan’s hearing loss increased painful”. Free information session nationally. Fully bulk-billed ap-
sor Birman recommends regular over time, he became distant and But hearing aids were not pointments are available with a
hearing tests after the age of 50. as a result withdrew from society enough. Having experienced the RIDBC is hosting a free infor- referral from an Audiologist or
“We know that hearing loss can and, to some extent, his family. “It benefits firsthand, Alan now ad- mation session in Gladesville GP.

With hearing aids on,

do you find it difficult to hear...

on the phone? in crowded children’s voices
places? clearly?

If you answer YES to one or more of these questions,
a cochlear implant may be right for you.

Learn more about hearing with an implantable hearing system
at this FREE information session.

When: Monday 2 March 2:00pm
Where: SCIC Gladesville, Building 39, Old Gladesville Hospital – Punt Road
To register: email info@ridbc.org.au or call 1300 581 391

Meet cochlear implant recipients, learn about their experience and have
your questions answered. Family and friends are welcome to attend.