Happy World Hearing Day!

Being an audiologist, I would drag my husband to do a hearing test whenever he doesn't listen to me. And each time, he proved me wrong which really shows what a difference it is between hearing and listening 😒.

But seriously, it's really a practice for healthy hearing, and this is what it somewhat looks like when you do a hearing test in a soundproof room. It's not scary at all, and the audiologist is usually all ears! If you would do a health check up for your body, why wouldn't you do a hearing check while you're at it? It's not really about finding a problem, but ensuring you're optimizing your full body potentials.

So do me a favour please, get yourself/your parents/your spouse/your children/your siblings/your relatives a hearing test today (or anytime soon)! Unaddressed hearing loss has a high cost, let's take action before it's costing us! Don't know where to go? E-mail me and I'll hook you up with an audiologist.

Happy World Hearing Day! (3.3)

International Cochlear Implant Day

Learned two things about cochlear implants this week, and it wasn't even Wednesday yet!

One: Happy International Cochlear Implant Day! Well, not today, but on the 25th of February. I won't be blogging on a Saturday (for now) so that's why I'm wishing it today! Apparently it has been celebrated since 2005; I definitely missed that train! Or maybe I knew and forgot about it? Anyway. The Spanish Association of Cochlear Implants initiated this special day to commemorate the exact date back in 1957 when two doctors, Djourno and Eyres, electrically stimulate the auditory nerve by placing an electrode outside the cochlear. 21 years later, Dr. Graeme Clark picked up where the Frenchmen left off and conducted the first ever cochlear implant. And the rest, as they say, is history. Thanks to the International Cochlear Implant Day fb page where I got all this info!

On to the local scene, Malaysia had its first ever cochlear recipient back in 1995! Since then the number of cochlear implant recipients has been growing rapidly throughout the country. National University of Malaysia (UKM) has the most/longest established CI program in the nation, and currently it is run by Institute-HEARS. Find more details about HEARS on their website or facebook page.

Two: I learned about Kanso, Cochlear's new product! I thought it is amazing! Just look at it:

Say goodbye to cables and BTE processors! It is all in one device as small as that! I was so fascinated with it when the Cochlear rep showed it to me. Kanso uses two small batteries (like HA size 675 batts - this could be their limitation though, it lasts only for a few days and not rechargeable. But I'm sure they'll figure something out to overcome that limitation). It's mapping cable is like the HA cable, very tiny (not like the implant batt size as before). The processing chips! Man, how do they reduce all those to fit into Kanso? It has it's water-proof casing for swimming (something or the other, didn't really ask in detail on that) and it's supposed to be sweat-friendly (I was asking how it fares with humidity).

I am not promoting this brand but more of the technology in particular. I love how human brains as gifted by Allah are so amazing to be able to think all this. This would be so appealing to the mass population, and it's exciting to know what more the future will offer for hearing health. But at the same time, audiologists will have to step up! Before long, we may not be needed at all! Erk. Fellow audiologists, let's take that as a challenge, and remember, the human touch always go a long way. :)

Ida Institute - great site for aural rehabilitation reference, among others

I was first introduced to Ida Institute in my aural rehabilitation lecture by Angela Marshall, during my master's course. Since then other lecturers and clinical supervisors repeatedly encourage to look up this website as well because Ida Institute have amazing tools and information that would benefit any clinician. In fact, I myself have been subscribing to this, and it is really an interesting site: they have forums, reviews, ideas for clinics, and the list goes on. I wouldn't want to keep it all to myself, so if you have the chance, check it out! Or better yet, subscribe to their mailing list. Happy learning! :)

Wishing for a naturally good hearing... so legitly real yet underrated.

"I would love not to have small children go shy and silent when their mommy tells them, “You have to get the attention of Gigi (short for Grandma Gael) before you speak to her. And face her. And speak up.” What 2 ½ year old is going to say anything after that?!"

It doesn't even have to be small children, even adults go silent if I tell someone has a hearing impairment. They just don't know what to do/react!

Read the full article here, by Gael Hannan, Editor of Hearing Health at HearingHealthMatters.org, as posted in March 2016.

Now. Which favours of your Lord will you deny? (Ar-Rahman)

Audiologist featured in Queen of the Deen

I am very proud of this superwoman of an audiologist. I got to know her through this very blog when I was doing my undergrad and she was doing her AuD in UK. Fast forward, she has started her own thing, expanding with a few branches now, and reaching out to the masses with her ever charming personality. Meet Dr Shasa Aziz of Eartistic Hearing & Balance Centre as featured on Dops TV in an interview with MizzNina.

ENT Clinic of the shortest waiting list ever!

I could not contain myself when I found out about this: a visiting ENT Clinic at KASP!!!!!

Not sure when it all started but basically there are three days when the Klinik Audiologi dan Sains Pertuturan UKM hosts a visiting ENT Specialist: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. What's the fuss is all about, you say? Well let me break it down for ya.

1. To see an ENT Specialist, let alone a specialist at a public centre usually takes agesssss. There is a long waiting list, and come appointment day, you still have to wait for hourssss (maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit but at some places it is true). Sometimes even seeing a private Specialist takes time too, because they can get quite busy. I mean, they are not just seeing people with ear problems, but also the nose, and throat; so don't go expecting they attend to one part of the body only.

2. Why pay more?

Would you believe that it's only RM53 (GST included) to get the consultation of this visiting Specialist?! And follow ups are only at RM31.80 per session! Tell me you're screaming "NO FRIGGIN' WAY!" right now because that was what I said when I found out. Of course you need a referral letter; once you have that just make the call and they'll put you on the almost non-existent waiting list and before long, they'll book you in!

FOC for government staffs (with GL); school/college/university students (with letter from the institution); pensioners (with card); OKU (with card); and senior citizens (with MyKad)

3. They do ear toilets too! From RM10.60! Out of this world. If you're not sure what ear toilet means. Google it. I'm just joking, what's the use of my blog if I don't talk about it? Basically anyone who has a blocked ear goes through ear toilet where they clean the ears for you. Sometimes it takes more than a visit, because you may have dead-hard wax that just won't come out at first tug. Highly recommended for those who gets in trouble for always pushing their wax in with the cotton buds (Big NO NO).

4. Read my previous post about the Klinik Audiologi dan Sains Pertuturan.

5. The ENT Specialists are from PPUKM. Experienced medical professionals. I would write their names but I won't just in case when you read this they're no longer visiting and it's a different specialist. Plus, they have an in-house medical assistant, audiologists, speech therapists, relevant professionals... This ain't some dodgy clinic guys!

Curious? Have queries? Give the clinic a call! 03-9289 5040/5041.

Where Can I Do a Hearing Test in KL?

I know a lot of people are not aware of this top-notch hearing assessment facility right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Not the General Hospital. Not one of the many private hospitals in Kuala Lumpur. This particular clinic is secluded near to the beautiful Titiwangsa Lake, and also near to the opening-soon Klinik Kesihatan Kuala Lumpur. It is none other than Klinik Audiologi dan Sains Pertuturan (KASP) of Health Science Faculty, UKM, Kuala Lumpur campus.

It is open to the public, but no walk-ins. Appointments by bookings only and to do so, make sure you have a referral letter (from a medical practitioner, be it public or private) with you.

So with that letter in hand, you give a call to the clinic’s reception at 03-92895040/ 5041, anytime between 8am to 5.30pm during weekdays. Bear in mind though, this is a teaching facility, so most likely you will be seen by a student, especially if your appointment is in the morning. BUT an experienced clinician will supervise that student, so you’re in good hands really. First appointment starts at 9am and the last appointment at 3.30pm. If you INSIST on seeing a clinician and not a student, feel free to be on the waiting list. But it shouldn’t take you months to be seen. If you ask me, two heads are better than one, and wouldn’t you just love the opportunity to bully a student? :D Unless of course, you have a real issue and you might want a serious, experienced head to look into it.

What happens in the appointment? Each appointment takes up to one hour, depending on the complexity. First appointment is usually the hearing assessment, which typically is the audiometric test where you will get an audiogram/ chart indicating your hearing levels. Audiologist will then advise you what to do next. If you need hearing aids, typically it would require you a follow up appointment.

HOW MUCH?! Flat rate for babies up to adults. Non-government employees have to pay RM61.80 (including GST) for the first appointment, and subsequent appointments (if necessary) cost RM31.80 per session. For government staffs, ensure that you have a hard copy of a Guarantee Letter (GL) from your HR (I guess?) for a free assessment.

OKU individuals, pensioners and senior citizens get this service FOC. But don’t rock up to the clinic empty-handed; bring the referral letter and your OKU/pensioner card please! Oh, and local students with a letter from the school (not medical doctor) don’t have to pay for the service as well.

The clinic is well set-up (remember, it’s a teaching facility so they have everything!). Location is in the heart of KL so easily accessible. Parking is abundant and free. And it’s not busy with people. I mean, you don’t even have to be a person with hearing impairment to come and have your hearing assessed, it’s always good to get a baseline audiogram! Or if you have been worried about your parents’ hearing but don’t want to spend so much on the initial test, or be pressured to get a hearing aid (this clinic is not profit-oriented), KASP is THE place to go.

So what are you waiting for? Get that referral letter and make that appointment now ☺

PS: I might just do YOUR hearing test ☺

PPS: Speech assessments are a bit more complex. Call them for any enquiries for speech therapy etc.

PPPS: non-Malaysians can book an appointment too! You just have to pay a little bit more.

Hearing Aid for Cheap!

Yes. I haven’t been updating my blog. But apparently, people still read my blog, so here goes.

I was googling for some ideas to embark on a monumental project for the betterment of the hearing impaired community in Malaysia (drama, exaggeration at my finest); and that search ended up on lelong.com.my (a local version of ebay). So guess what I saw. Hearing aid selling for RM29.64… including free shipping!

11 sold!!!

I found it amusing and sad at the same time. It reminded me of the time when I was in Melbourne, when my husband showed me a text in a group chat. One of the group members in Malaysia was asking for one of their mates in Melbourne to buy a hearing aid on ebay for his relative. Obviously I have educated my husband well. He consulted me as soon as he saw that text. I put on my audiologist hat and answered in the most diplomatic way possible. It was something along the line of,

“Hearing aid is not something that you can buy off the rack. For vision, you wear glasses/spectacles to see. And to get that glasses/specs, you see an optometrist to be prescribed with the right glasses/specs, otherwise you will just damage your vision further! Likewise with hearing, same concept applies. You just don’t get a hearing aid from any Tom, Dick or Harry; you see an audiologist so that you get the right prescription for your hearing aids. An audiologist is a professional that can test your hearing and advise what is the best way to manage the hearing loss (if that is the case). I understand why people would consider getting them off ebay because hearing aids can be really expensive. But if it’s not fitted properly, you might just worsen your hearing and consequently make that user not want to wear hearing aids at all! In fact, he/she would feel better off without any aid, when all it needed was the right fitting. Please do consult an audiologist before making that purchase… you can see them at major hospitals in Malaysia or any hearing clinics/hearing aid centres.”

There was quite a long pause before anybody responded. Which means either they are digesting the information (yay!), or they couldn’t care less to read the whole thing. But then somebody suggested a friend who is in fact, an audiologist, so that was good. But the person who initiated the text said he’s just asking, he’ll let his relative know. Hopefully after all these years, his relative did get the right help!

So.If you’re an audiologist reading this. Do YOU find it disturbing that about a few units of these cheap aids have been sold? Share me your thoughts ☺ And if you’re on the web prowling for hearing aids, would you still buy a cheap hearing aid off the rack/ebay without consulting a professional? Do let me know as well! Obviously there’s something that is making you not convinced to seek an audiologist’s help…

Super Audiologist.

I have yet to become.

Considering that I did my bachelor's degree and postgrad in Audiology you'd think I am one.

Anyhow. Wow. I did not update at all in 2013. It was definitely not my best year. Yet I'm so grateful people still read my blog and found it relevant as I still get e-mails from readers. Thank you so much!

So as you would have guessed, I graduated :)

Alhamdulillah.

Super Audiologist. Not yet. But one day inshaAllah.

Hearing Loss Simulation

Ever wondered how it sounds like to have a hearing impairment. Check out this page, though mind you, it's been 5 years old... At least just as an idea of how things are with hearing loss.

International Day for Ear and Hearing

We've been busy celebrating May is Better Hearing and Speech Month, but did anyone know about the International Day for Ear and Hearing? I certainly didn't until I stumble upon it on WHO's website.

It's on the 3rd of March every year!

WHO | International Day for Ear and Hearing, 3 March 2012

No prize to those who guessed why 3.3 is chosen as the special date. The shape of the numbers represent the two ears! It should be easy for people to remember then :)

It is actually still new, as the initiative started in China in April 2007, during the first International Conference on Prevention and Rehabilitation of Hearing Impairment. You can read more about it here.

I'm always happy when something is done to increase the awareness on hearing impairment. So spread the news, people!

People as Young as 12 Suffer Impairment Due to Loud Environment

As seen in the news today. My comment: no kidding.

People as young as 12 suffer impairment due to loud environment

Say What? I Can't Hear You.

That's exactly what I said to my husband, as I blissfully placed myself in a somewhat quieter world of my own. How did I do that? Ear plugs! (Yep, ear plugs seem to be a popular topic for me these days. It's abundant at my university!)

It was an assignment for my aural rehabilitation class. My lecturer gave us students ear plugs and asked us to go back and try wearing the ear plugs at different environments to experience having some level of hearing loss.

It was the day that me and my husband moved in to our new place (I will remember that day for the rest of my life - it was embarrassing and pretty stupid actually, but that incident shall not be elaborated here). I realized that once I open the tap water at the sink, it's pretty noisy! And also annoying. So I thought it was the perfect time to put on my ear plugs. I did just that and cleaned the pots and pans that we got for free that day. Naturally, I felt that my ears are blocked, but I ignored that feeling and focused on the comfort of the noisy sink being somewhat reduced. At the same time, I was cooking something as well, which required me to turn on the overhead fan. Obviously, that's noise as well. So the earplugs was really handy at that moment of time, and I was appreciating it for the wrong reason than what I was set out for. Not to piss my husband off, I eventually told him I had the plugs on, and he didn't bother to talk to me after that. After a good 40 minutes (yes, the washing took that long), I felt that the blocked feeling was too much, so I took the plugs out. Definitely no lesson learned from that.

I tried again the next day, putting both plugs on my way to officeworks, a stationary shop. Again, I enjoyed the somewhat reduced environmental noise (mostly the sounds of trams). But the sounds of my footsteps were really obvious to me. My husband talked to me, and I had to strain myself to listen to him. Again, he didn't talk much when I had to point out that I had the earplugs in again. When I reached the shop, I went to the counter to ask to do some printing. I actually asked my husband to lead the conversation, but when he looked stuck, I jumped in, and both of them looked at me puzzled. I think I did not answer what the counter guy asked, but I just said what I needed and he did just that. So that wasn't too bad. I then went around the shop looking for a pen, and another shop assistant came to me, asking whether I needed any assistance. I didn't hear him clearly but I could make out that was what he asked, and I answered appropriately. At that moment, I realized that is how it is when people say they miss out parts of conversations and do a learnt guess (I think there's another term for it). Learnt guess by means that you can guess what a person would say at a particular situation as it is expected that the person would say so. That's why people with slight hearing impairment would insist they can still hear, because of that particular adaptation strategy. But when I went back to the counter to make payment, I already took out the plugs because I think it was already about 40 minutes and obviously I couldn't stand the blocked feeling, and I didn't want to risk the possibility of miscommunication with the cashier! I went back home feeling slightly guilty.

I think my husband wouldn't be so mad at me if I made such a cute face like this boy 

My third and last attempt wearing the plugs: I wore only on one side, this time to the Victoria Market. The blocked feeling was not so bad, and I could still hear my husband talk clearly, especially when he's on the side not blocked (obviously). However, upon reaching the market, as I was about to make my first purchase, after just one question from the fish guy, I immediately took out my plug. I have to say, it was a market, and it was pretty noisy. With that plug inside my ear, I was definitely struggling. But as I continued on with my shopping with my normal hearing, I felt kind of bad, and guilty, because I've been telling people that I know what they're experiencing, and counseling them on strategies to adapt, but when it was my turn to experience it, I couldn't even handle it. At least I could take out the ear plugs, but what of those with permanent hearing loss? They can't simply take out their ears and replace with a good one now, can they? :(

Definitely a good lesson, and made me appreciate my hearing much much more. Hopefully I'll remember this the next time I'm counseling a patient. We may "experience" it, but we can never truly be in a hearing-impaired person's shoes, as everyone is unique and has different problems/situations. I think as long as you are sincere in helping these people, they'll know that it's coming from your heart :)

What Audiologists Really Do

I think this "What 'insert profession' Really Do" series has been quite a craze. Audiologists are not excluded. Just thought I would post it on my blog for the fun of it.

My opinion: It's true I suppose, if you're at managerial level or also doing administration stuff. I don't think I've experience that kind of pile up of papers, thanks to computers! We should all go green by now :) To future audiologists, do not be fooled by this image! Not all audiologists are like this! But if you're thinking of being a boss, you have been warned :P

A Different Kind of Ear Plugs.

There were so many interesting things that I came across since I landed in Melbourne. In fact, I was extremely excited to see that ear plugs can be easily bought at only $2 at a clearance store!



For 3 pairs! Cool, isn't it?

And then, on one fine Sunday, as me and my husband were looking around for stuff at the Queen Victoria Market, I saw this:




I was looking at it with another lady, and both of us looked at each other and laughed. We found it hilarious. I guess it can be pretty useful. But at $2.99, and converting it to ringgit, it'll be about RM10+, so I will definitely not rush into buying that.

Funny with the things that people come up with :)

Happy New Year! 2012 Hola!

I know it's really pathetic that I haven't been updating my blog much. HONESTLY, I WAS SUPER BUSY. Yeah, like the rest of the world isn't busy. As if I'm running a country or something. Anyway, enough monologue. Happy new year people! Hoping for another blessed and prosperous year, insyaAllah.

I have a good news to share! Reason why I was so busy and still am is because I was offered a sponsorship to further my education! I will be doing my Master in Clinical Audiology, in University of Melbourne. Woot, woot! :D I'm flying on the 1st of Feb: 010212 and will be arriving on 020212. Nice number, isn't it? :)

So I have resigned from my job. It was a great 2 and a half years journey. I don't think I could learn as much if I was elsewhere. Had the best mentors and colleagues. Period. They seriously were like a family to me. I had a farewell party and farewell cupcakes. Touching moments...


And since my resignation, I have been a lot more busier! I moved out from my own house to my parents' so that I could have quality family moments but turned out that I became the "house manager" - my mom own words - and been meeting up with good friends to catch up and say goodbyes. I have also started doing translations, just so that I have some back-up money while I'm in Melbourne. I'm a student, every dollar counts! (btw, the current conversion rate from RM to AUD is a nightmare!!!)

Oh, how could I forget to mention. My lovely husband is also following me, doing his MBA and CPA. He'll be enrolling into RMIT. It'll be like uni days all over again! Love on campus hehe.

I think just by reading this post, you would already know that I'm super-excited. It's a bit of a mixed feeling though: excited, scared, sad, tired (because the thought of having to start over after being quite stable earning own money and such); but it'll be an experience of a lifetime, I'm sure. Alhamdulillah, Allah has given me the opportunity, it would be a shame to mess it up.

So, hang on tight guys, will definitely write more once I'm there. Hopefully it'll make up for my previous absence ;) Do pray for me and wish me luck!

One of the times I wished I have a small otoscope in my handbag!

I was having my sahur (meal before the start of a fasting day) with my family at my parents’house during the recent Ramadhan. My husband came to the dining table, looking uncomfortable, and told me that he feels that something is inside his ear. He thinks it’s an insect and that it’s flying around at the ear canal. He asked me to look into his ears. I looked with my bare eyes and of course I couldn’t see anything. My sister, Najat, then offered me her torchlight which she took from her room. I used the big white light but still I couldn’t see anything, plus his ear hole is pretty small! I got pissed because I couldn’t help then I played around flashing a small red light (laser-like, also from the torchlight) inside his ear canal. A few seconds later, a small fruit fly flew out like a drunkard. I guess it must have been scared and lost, unable to find its way out until it saw the red light. So I managed to “laserized” it, haha.



If I had the otoscope, I could have seen it sooner! And it really is expected from an audiologist. Countless times my family members would occasionally complain about their ears to me but all I could say is, come to the clinic, then I’ll check you out because I don’t have the equipment at the moment. If I have the otoscope, at least I could rule out minor issues like blocked ears!

So, does anyone know where I can find a cheap, small otoscope that’s less than RM50? :D

A Conference on Autism for Professionals

Autism has always been complicated. Be it in terms of assessing, diagnosing, intervention, schooling - the possibilities on what's the best way to manage autism has been endless and debatable. Challenge your mind and clinical experience by participating in this in-depth conference - Unraveling the Paradox of Autism: A Conference for Professionals this November 2011 at Sunway Medical Centre.

Please click here to register. If you register before 30th September, you'll be entitled to early bird price! So hurry, it's a conference you wouldn't want to miss! :)

Wanna win an iPad, Galaxy Tab or D5000?

Just follow these simple steps: Go to Coopown website (click here), put in your e-mail to subscribe, then go to their facebook page and like Coopown Malaysia, then follow Coopown on twitter! As easy as A, B, C!

I joined. What about you? :)

Never Take Hearing for Granted!

A blogreader recently shared this with me:

"A man reached 80 years of age and he had an infection in his ears which made him almost deaf. The doctors informed him that an operation was necessary to cure this disease. He agreed to have the operation done as he couldn’t hear anything apart from the severe pain in the ears.

When the operation was completed successfully, his doctor gave him the bill which covered all the costs.

The old man looked at the bill and started to cry. Upon seeing this, the doctor felt pity on the old man and told him that if the cost was too high then they could make some other arrangements.

The old man said “I am not crying because of the money but I am crying bechttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifause God let me hear for 80 years and He never sent me a bill.”

Moral: There are so many blessings of God which we don’t realize its importance, until it is snatched away from us."

I end this post with a tearful video:



or if it is not showing on your screen, click here.

Syawal is about forgive and forget. Have a blessed and joyful Eid Mubarak. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri :)