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Transcript - One in six Australian live in silence
Published in the Mackay & Sarina mid-week Aug-2008
HEARING Awareness Week will be celebrated throughout Australia from August 24-30.
The focus of this week is to raise awareness and acceptance in the public of those with hearing disorders and ways to protect your hearing, and it's also designed to alert those with a hearing disorder that they are not alone and there is support and help available.
Hearing Awareness Week provides an opportunity for people who have a hearing impairment to share their experience and knowledge and help to create a greater understanding of their needs and aspirations.
Cochlear Awareness Network is a group of volunteers each of whom have lived with deafness but have had their hearing restored through either a Cochlear implant or Baha.
They talk about their experience to community groups, schools, church groups and businesses, as well as potential recipients, in the hope of bringing hearing to more people than ever before by raising awareness of the wonderful changes in their lives.
Local bilateral cochlear recipient Glenda Froyland was invited to be a Cochlear Awareness Network volunteer for Cochlear Limited last September.
Below is an extract from her story of her journey from hearing into the isolation of deafness and back: .
"The cause of my deafness was Meniere's disease and my hearing loss deteriorated progressively. Living in the world of silence was frustrating. Before my first implant I could hear but it was merely a garbled sound. I struggled to recognise a word here or a word there, continually lip-reading and watching body language to try and understand the spoken word.
In 2006 the necessary assessments for a cochlear implant were done and it was agreed to implant my 'good' ear. September 2006 was 'switch-on'. This was so exciting. I could hear straight away. I was now constantly asking "What is that noise?"
The pros and cons of being a bilateral recipient were explained. After much consideration, I agreed to go ahead.
June 2007 was 'switch-on'. To my amazement, and that of the Cochlear team, I was able to understand speech straight away. I had not heard from this ear for over 20 years. This wonderful Australian invention has given me back my independence and I am actively participating in life once again with very few challenges."
Take a look at Glenda's story and achievements at www.c-a-network.com or contact her on 4954 3254 for presentation bookings or further information.