President John McGlade greets Barry Grimes, with club member Ian Murray (R) and Club Treasurer Nigel Semple (L)

Coleraine Probus, speaking-up for the hard of hearing

President John McGlade was speaking-up well when he welcomed our speaker at a recent Probus meeting. This was Barry Grimes, who was along to talk about the 'Loss of Hearing and Tinnitus' - "What did you say?", "I said loss of hearing and tinnitus!", "Pardon!", "I SAID LOSS OF… Oh, just read the rest of this……."

To set the scene, Barry started his talk with some local statistics. There are around 300,000 people in Northern Ireland that have hearing loss, but only about 70,000 have hearing aids. In addition, there are about 275,000 that suffer from Tinnitus, for which there is no cure. Some 7,000 of these are severely affected by Tinnitus.

Barry is employed by R.N.I.D. better known now as “Action for Hearing Loss” (AFHL). This is a U.K. charity with roots in the year 1911 and is supported by The National Lottery Fund. In Northern Ireland there are 51 AFHL support units working with a wide range of sufferers.

Hearing loss is a 'hidden disability', it is not age related, yet it is life changing. A simple ear infection can damage any number of the 15,000 tiny hairs within the ear, that convey sound waves to the brain, which in turn interprets this as noise/sound. Fifty years ago this was closely linked with the noise of heavy industry. Now days, it is an even bigger problem for youngsters with their headphones for music or computer games.

Barry said it is estimated that up to 40% of people experience Tinnitus. Do not ignore the signs of hearing loss, go the doctor's and get them to refer you for an 'Ear, Nose and Throat' (ENT) appointment. If you think people are mumbling or failing to follow a conversation, or perhaps talking more loudly, these may be signs of hearing loss.

Across the whole of the UK, about half the population aged 50 and over, have severe hearing loss. The signs and difficulties of hearing loss can be seen in:- head colds; earwax; chest infections and sinus blockage, all or some are often present. Hearing loss can affect your balance, slow down your brain functions and can also be linked to dementia. Barry stressed the importance of having hearing checks, and there is an Action on Hearing Loss free monthly clinic at The Sandel Centre where our local Hearing Aid Liaison Officer, Susan Gilchrist, can be contacted for an appointment (ring her mobile on 0794 016 0672).

Barry finished his talk with a little statistical anomaly. Of around 2.5m people that have hearing aids supplied to them, and another 4m people would benefit from hearing aids. However, about 1.6m people with hearing aids don't use them - 'couldn't get on with it', 'too fiddly to use', 'didn't feel comfortable', are some of the reasons given. Barry stressed the importance of not giving up, take one step at a time, put the aids in for a short period at a time and the ears will become more use to the aids. As Barry said, "with a little effort and some patience, you can live a happier hearing life, and possibly live longer too!" - Now that's an offer no Probus member would want to turn down!

(Many thanks to Graham for the help with this report)

** SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT **
Dear Coleraine Probus Members,

RE: Project End and Future Support

On 19/11/19 Action on Hearing Loss performed an information talk organised by you all at the Coleraine Probus Club.

This event was part of the National Lottery-funded Hear to Inform and Connect Project run by Action on Hearing Loss. I am writing to let you know that this project has now come to an end, and so should you require our information services in the future then please use our information line as your first point of contact. Please be aware that the data you provided to the project will be destroyed in line with our GDPR policies.

Our information line can assist by providing information about a range of topics related to hearing loss and the services and support available in your local area.

You can call them on: 0808 808 0123
or
email: informationline@hearingloss.org.uk

Alternatively our website holds a great wealth of information (see link below).

You may be aware that we supported over 51,000 people in the UK with essential information on addressing hearing loss, enabling them to better manage daily barriers. We were able to reach this many people through a team of volunteers. If you would like to receive information on future available volunteering opportunities, please contact volunteering@hearingloss.org.uk.

Thank you for all your participation in the Hear to Inform and Connect Project, and we wish you all the best for the future.

Kind regards,

Laura Green
Feedback Coordinator, Hear to Inform and Connect Project


Members wanting to find out a bit more about ACTION ON HEARING LOSS, 'Click' the logo below (this will open in a new window)

And finally, some Northern Ireland FACTS on Hearing Loss…