Published in Better Hearing August 2009
Transcript:COCHLEAR 'HEARO' AWARDS |
||
View the article
National Volunteer Week took place from May 11 to 17, 2009 and Cochlear, the global leader in cochlear and bone conduction implant technology, said a big thank you to its network of Cochlear Awareness Network (CAN) volunteers across Australia. Five outstanding CAN volunteers were awarded Cochlear 'Hearo' Awards for their invaluable contribution to the advancement of hearing health in Australia. "CAN volunteers work tirelessly to raise awareness of hearing loss and the solutions available to help hearing impaired adults and children connect with the world around them," said Shaun Hand, General Manager, Cochlear Australia and New Zealand. "We are extremely thankful and proud of their efforts." The following CAN volunteers from around Australia were awarded prestigious Cochlear 'Hearo' Awards: Dick Sutcliffe (VIC), Rob Dobson (SA), Ray Hare (NSW), Tom McCaul (QLD) and Carol Beetles (WA). Dick Sutcliffe After wearing hearing aids for over 20 years with less and less effect, Dick was struggling professionally as a specialist anaesthetist - he could no longer hear the surgeons and did not want to put his patients' lives at risk. So in January 2001, Dick had his first cochlear implant to restore his hearing and was able to continue working. As he says, it was a huge relief that the operation was successful and he was not forced to retire prematurely. In December 2007, aged 69, Dick went ahead with his second implant and hasn't looked back. He remains active in the community and is truly an inspiration to others. Rob Dobson Rob was born with profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears but was not |
diagnosed until he was at least three - and wasn't fitted with bilateral hearing aidsuntil he was four which meant he was behind others in his age group in terms of language development.
Despite this, Rob went on to complete three qualifications - a Bachelor of Teaching and Graduate Diploma in Outdoor Education - and has also recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies-Hearing Impairment. He has been teaching on a contract basis for 13 years, mainly in physical education but also as a teacher of the deaf. After wearing hearing aids with less and less effect, Rob finally decided to go ahead with bilateral cochlear implants in 2007 and 2008 at the South Australian Cochlear Implant Centre (SACIC). Having not been able to hear properly his whole life, Rob can now hear and does not have to rely on lip reading. He can even hear people talking behind him! Rob is active in his local community and has also been writing a blog about his bilateral cochlear implant journey. He is also an active member of Better Hearing Australia. Ray Hare Ray suffered progressive and gradual loss of hearing and subsequently wore bilateral hearing aids. However, his hearing continued to deteriorate to the extent he had to replace his hearing aids every two to five years with new and increasingly more powerful ones. By 2003 Ray's hearing loss was profound in both ears, and his hearing aids were ineffective. It was then that his specialist recommended bilateral cochlear implants - the first was implanted in 2003 and the second in 2004. The day after his first implant, Ray gave a lecture at university, and after the second implant he could converse easily straight away. Today he's able to use a mobile phone with ease, can manage TV without teletext and his perception of music, particularly classical, continues to improve. He sums it up succinctly: "My life is back to normal, both socially and professionally. In my case, bilateral cochlear implants have proved essential |
to manage in the hearing world. They have allowed me to continue actively participating in life without any real difficulty."
Tom McCaul Tom was born with moderate to severe hearing loss but nevertheless, went on to complete a Bachelor of Science and a Doctorate (PhD) in the UK, pursued an international medical research career including time at the National Institute of Health and the United States Army Medical Institute of Infectious Diseases in the US, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical School of Medicine, ending up as a Senior Fellow in the Centre of Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Queensland. It was during his time working for the Australian Communication Exchange (ACE) as quality officer that Tom's hearing deteriorated rapidly, leaving him profoundly deaf. With his professional career at stake, Tom went ahead with a cochlear implant at Brisbane Private Hospital and hasn't looked back. He's now quality manager for ACE and has taken on many more responsibilities. Carol Beetles Carol suffered hearing loss in her early 20s, and as a result her life changed immensely. She found it difficult to communicate with people and, thus, suffered depression. Carol dreaded the thought of meeting new people and panicked every time the phone rang. Her hearing impairment caused problems with her children, her friends and also her marriage. After her mum was fitted with a cochlear implant at age 70, Carol "gave in" and was fitted with her first implant in 2002 -and her life changed forever. In 2006 Carol had her second implant and she noticed an immediate improvement. "My cochlear implants have certainly changed my life. I no longer consider myself deaf. I feel equal and love to meet new people. I am no longer depressed. I participate in meetings and conduct training sessions. Since my cochlear implants I have received several promotions including my current role as Manager Grants & Information at Edith Cowan University!" BETTER HEARING, September 2009 |