one in six 9 december 2015

7/23/2019 One in Six 9 December 2015

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/one-in-six-9-december-2015 1/12

9 December 2015

We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their

continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to them

and their cultures, and to elders both past and present. We acknowledge the

challenge that faces Indigenous leaders and families to overcome the unacceptably

high levels of ear health issues among first Australians.

Ringing in the ears and chronic pain

enter by the same gateTinnitus and chronic pain have more in common than their

ability to afflict millions with the very real experience of

"phantom" sensations. Advances in brain imaging andassociated techniques have enabled researchers to begin

homing in on their structural and functional bases, revealing

what appears to be a central gatekeeping system implicated

in both chronic pain and tinnitus.

Katie won’t let her inability to hear

define her as a person

"I had to go through a lot of challenges when I was younger

and a period of self acceptance to realise it was ok to be deaf

and different. I had a really good childhood just like every

other kid and I just kept telling myself that the only thing that

made me different was my lack of hearing.”

National Relay Service connects

with Indigenous Australians “Realising what I’ve missed out on, what I didn’t get, it makes

me really sad and cranky too, but at the same time it makes

me very happy and pleased that these people are here with

something that can change that.”



The Sydney Philharmonia Choir in rehearsal with the Auslan signing choir for a performance

of Handel's Messiah at The Sydney Opera House. Photo: James Brickwood

Billed as a world-first, the Sydney Philharmonia Choir's presentation of Handel's

Messiah will feature a deaf community "signing" choir on stage alongside a full

orchestra and the 400 massed voices of the Symphony and Christmas choirs.

As well as translating the libretto into Auslan (Australian Sign Language), the 20-strong

signing choir will add movement to convey emotion – all in time to the music.

"We aim to deliver the meaning of the words through sign language but do it in a poetic

and lyrical way," says deaf actor, director and Auslan translator Alex Jones. "Signing can

express so much using visual elements, space and the synchronicity of the movement. It's

going to be really powerful for the regular Messiah attendees."

More than half the signers are deaf. Others are hearing people fluent in Auslan. Jones says

it's vital to have some hearing people who can help with the tempo. "All of the choir are

volunteers from the deaf community. Some of them have had very little performingexperience and they are very nervous," says Jones. "But it's a incredible opportunity for

them to be part of something so exquisite."

Handel's Messiah played at the Sydney Opera House from December 3-6.

By Elissa Blake , The Sydney Morning Herald.

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/auslan-choir-translates-handels-messiah-

into-sign-language-20151202-gldew9.html#ixzz3thZAD3q4



Wailwan man stays in touch through relay

phone service

‘Realising what I’ve missed out on, what I didn’t

get, it makes me really sad and cranky too, but atthe same time it makes me very happy and

pleased that these people (the NRS) are here with

something that can change that.’

Michael Welsh is a member of the Wailwan people

and a grandfather in his 60s who has been

experienced hearing loss for many years. His life

and journey features in a new video developed for

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples bythe National Relay Service (NRS).

Being unable to hear well for so long, Michael eventually realised he needed help when he

joined the local Men’s Shed in Mt Druitt.

‘I’ve been through so many years not being able to hear my children and what they were

actually talking about. Coming up into the Shed and getting help I’ve realised that now it’s

more important – I’ve got to hear, I need to hear people talking, even if they talk about

me.’

In the video Michael is shown chatting to his mates at the Men’s Shed and is introduced to

the NRS by staff member, Chris Eagles. He makes a call via captioned relay to his grandson

and organises to meet up with him later in the week.

‘It’s very emotional, for a lot of NRS users. They maybe haven’t talked to their children or

grandchildren for a really long time and that’s what they really want to do – to be able to

connect again – and they didn’t have that before,’ says Chris.

When talking about the NRS, Michael is enthusiastic about how it will help him. ‘It’s going

to make that much difference, important difference. It’s important that you can hear every

word on the phone, it truly is.’

The video is part of a suite of resources the NRS has launched to connect with Indigenous

Australians.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AauSIYtfUs



We are seeking

adults aged 35-55 years,

native English speakersespecially those with a

history of NOISE EXPOSURE

The National Acoustic

Laboratories (NAL) is

conducting a study about theimpact of noise and music

on listening.

For more information

contact us at

[email protected]

Appointments available

from November 2015

Monday-Friday

Australian Hearing Hub

Macquarie University

receive $40

payment free onsite

parking includes

hearing test

We ask you to complete

an online survey & attend

our laboratory for testing(approx. 3 hours)

Approved by the Macquarie University Human Research Ethics Committee Ref no. 5201400862 www.nal.gov.au



ROCKHAMPTON'S Katie Butler has never let her inability to hear define her as a

person.

For the Year 9 Emmaus College student being deaf doesn't limit her or stop her from doing

what she loves.

Katie was one of the 150 kids from the region who attended the first hearing impairmentforum in Rockhampton hosted by Australian Hearing.

Katie, 15, said her parents discovered she was deaf when she was 18 months old.

"I am deaf in both ears and have to wear hearing aids all the time," she said.

"I had to go through a lot of challenges when I was younger and a period of self

acceptance to realise it was ok to be deaf and different. I had a really good childhood just

like every other kid and I just kept telling myself that the only thing that made me different

was my lack of hearing.

"Going to events like these forums is a good opportunity to meet other people just like me

and learn that our disabilities don't define us as people.

By Madeline McDonald, The Morning Bulletin,

http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/hearing-wont-detour-katie/2834151/



Concerns over sale of $49M Australian Hearing

LABOR candidate for Capricornia Leisa Neaton has labelled plans to sell-off public asset

Australian Hearing, worth nearly $50M, as reckless.

"Australian Hearing is a Government owned and funded body that provides hearing services

to around half a million Australians each year," Ms Neaton said in the release.

"It answers to the Minister for Human Services. In the Department of Human Services'

Annual Report 2014/2015, Australian Hearing is classified as "available for sale" and valued

at $49 million.

"The Government has carried out a scoping study into the possible sale of Australian

Hearing and promised another report before the end of this year. That report is yet to

come."

"The Government should listen to the Deafness Forum of Australia in relation to the

complexity of the issues associated with any privatisation of Australian Hearing and its

internationally renowned research arm, the National Acoustic Laboratories," she said.

"Australian Hearing is a service which has been operating in Australia since 1947 providing

support for deaf children, young adults, age pensioners, Indigenous Australians and

veterans.

"Australian Hearing provide hearing services in some centres where private service

providers would be unlikely to go.

"The prospect of handing this invaluable public asset to multinational audiology

corporations seems reckless. If the service is privatised, will the Government be able to

guarantee that all services will continue?"

Ms Neaton opposed the privatisation of the service and said all Australians deserve fair

access to quality hearing services.

"Australians with a hearing impairment deserve the healthcare they need, not the

healthcare they can afford."

By Melanie Plane , The Morning Bulletin,

http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/news/neaton-shares-concerns-over-sale-49m-

australian-he/2855025/



LEARN SIGN LANGUAGE

For more information or to enrol visit www.vicdeaf.com.au/auslan.asp

SIGN LANGUAGE ONE SIGN LANGUAGE TWO

FootscrayFootscray Community Arts Centre

(Jack Kennedy Meeting Room)

45 Moreland St, Footscray

Monday evenings 6pm - 8pm

1 February - 7 March

Wednesday evenings 6pm - 8pm


FrankstonEbdale Community Hub

20 Ebdale Street, Frankston





RingwoodCentral Ringwood Community Centre

Bedford Park, Bedford Road, Ringwood





PrestonPreston Neighbourhood House

218 High Street, Preston

Tuesday evenings 6pm - 8pm


Thursday evenings 6pm - 8pm


St KildaElwood & St Kilda Neighbourhood

Learning Centre

87 Tennyson Street, Elwood

Tuesday evenings 6pm - 8pm


Thursday evenings 6pm - 8pm


East Melbourne Vicdeaf Head Office

340 Albert Street, East Melbourne

Monday afternoons 1pm - 3pm




Wednesday afternoons 1pm - 3pm




East Melbourne onlyWeekend intensive 9am - 4pm

20 - 21 February

Weekend intensive 9am – 4pm

5 - 6 March

SAVE15%East Melbourne only

WANT TO LEARN

SIGN LANGUAGE 1 AND 2?

Enrol for the combined course

on Tuesday evenings 6pm - 8pmSign Language 2

12 April - 10 May+Sign Language 1


=

Learn a uniquely Australian language, improve your brain-power and learn about a different culture.

Enrol today to enjoy the many benefits of learning Auslan. #iloveauslan

TALK

R E A S O

N

# 8

TOP 10REASONS

TO LEARN

AUSLAN



A busy Deafness Forum chairman visited Melbourne for the first "Lets talk about

mental health and deaf people" conference.

David Brady met members of the board of Deaf Victoria, Melissa Coe and Marnie Kerridge.

“I was present to meet with conference attendees to listen to their stories of personalexperiences with mental health issues. It was an invaluable insight into one of the many

reasons why Hearing Health and Well-being and its links to mental health must become a

major government health issue” David said.

David travelled to Sydney to attend the Better Hearing Australia Sydney annual general

meeting and to meet with its president John Steele and members.

“I took the opportunity to listen to each member’s concerns and stories of how they are

working hard to support people who are hearing impaired or hard of hearing in the Sydneycommunity.”

John Steele was confirmed as president for another year and the board was also re-

elected.

“I gave the members a brief outline of the work Deafness Forum has been doing for them

over the past year and explained how they can support the Hearing Health and Well-being

campaign” David said.



2 Doig Ave, Denistone East NSW 2112

PH 02 9809 2392 | FAX 02 9809 2345 | TTY 02 9809 1283

[email protected] www.hearingloops.com.au

Australia’s leading

Hearing Augmentation

We are

Specialists

Hearing loops Infra Red

FM

Public Access Personal

Communicators

PRINTACALL is the recognised specialist of HEARING LOOP systemsand Hearing Augmentation. For over 25 years, Printacall has been supplyingand installing systems under the direction of our Technical specialists.

We specialize in:



Ringing in the ears and chronic pain enter bythe same gate

(l-r) Co-authors Markus Ploner of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Josef Rauscheckerof Georgetown University Medical Center are shown. Credit: A. Heddergott / TUM

Tinnitus and chronic pain have more in common than their ability to afflict millions with the

very real experience of "phantom" sensations. Scientists noted similarities between the twodisorders more than thirty years ago. Now advances in brain imaging and associated

techniques have enabled researchers to begin homing in on their structural and functional

bases, revealing what appears to be a central gatekeeping system implicated in both

chronic pain and tinnitus.

Collaborators at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Georgetown University

Medical Center integrate the latest findings into a disease model of both disorders in the

journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences .

Tinnitus sufferers hear sounds that aren't there, usually described as a ringing or buzzing

"in the ears" even though such perceptions clearly arise in the brain. Hearing loss is often

associated with tinnitus but does not adequately account for it. Furthermore, not everyone

with damaged cochlear nerves or cortical auditory circuits experiences tinnitus. One

hypothesis suggests that the decisive factor is whether or not a higher-level cognitive

system responsible for "tuning out" negative sensory signals is working normally.

This view of tinnitus was hailed as a paradigm shift by people in the field when it was first

proposed, in 2010, by Prof. Josef Rauschecker, Director of the Laboratory for Integrative



Neuroscience and Cognition at Georgetown University and a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow of

the TUM Institute for Advanced Study. Mounting evidence has strengthened the case, as

improved techniques allow higher-resolution studies of changes in the brain.

Converging lines of inquiry

Close collaboration between Rauschecker's lab and PainLabMunich, led by TUM Prof.

Markus Ploner, has extended this research into the common ground that tinnitus shares

with chronic pain. And that common ground now has an address in the brain. Structural

and functional changes in the same brain circuit -- including the ventromedial prefrontal

cortex and the nucleus accumbens -- can open the gateway to both tinnitus and pain that

persists long past any acute cause.

The list of techniques that have contributed to this study is long and perhaps a bit esoteric-

sounding, including functional magnetic resonance imaging, voxel-based morphometry,

arterial spin labeling, positron emission tomography, and diffusion tensor imaging, as wellas electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography. Results from these diverse

approaches -- which essentially measure structural characteristics such as gray matter

volume and functional properties such as network function -- have been correlated with

and interpreted in the light of neurochemical studies.

New insights and cautious hope

In their new paper Rauschecker and Ploner, together with postdoctoral researchers Audrey

Maudoux (Georgetown) and Elisabeth May (TUM), present copious evidence that similar

structures and functional systems are involved in tinnitus and chronic pain and probablyplay a central role in both. Significant loss of gray matter and compromised circuit function

are observed in the suspected regions, with considerable overlap between neurological

changes in tinnitus and chronic pain sufferers.

All of these areas are also important for evaluating and modulating emotional experiences,

Rauschecker says. "These areas act as a central gatekeeping system for perceptual

sensations, which determines the affective value of sensory stimuli -- whether produced

externally or internally -- and modulates information flow in the brain. Tinnitus and chronic

pain occur when this system is compromised."

The researchers propose that this newly identified gatekeeping system determines the

relevance and affective value of sensory stimuli and controls information flow along

pathways associated with the so-called executive functions. The process, they say, is

controlled by two major neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. Damage to this

system, they argue, affects the perception of sensory signals in such a way that either

tinnitus or chronic pain can develop and carry on in a self-perpetuating loop.

They stress that there are still a number of open questions, particularly in relation topotential clinical interventions. Yet they see reason to be cautiously optimistic. Better



understanding could lead to standardized assessment of individuals' risk to develop chronic

tinnitus and chronic pain. This in turn might open the way for preventive action and early

treatment, including for example cognitive-behavioral therapy, physiotherapy, and

pharmacotherapy.

"However," Markus Ploner adds, "better understanding might allow not only for early

treatment, but also for more targeted and individual treatment with existing as well as

novel strategies, such as dopaminergic therapy." Ploner is a consultant neurologist at TUM

as well as Heisenberg Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Human Pain Research.

http://emeraldninja.com/snoopy-christmas-pictures.html

Know someone who might like to receive One in Six?

To subscribe, drop us a line to [email protected]

Have something to contribute? Let’s hear from you.

Find us on Facebook

one in six 9 december 2015

Documents