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 :)

Say NO to Ear Candling

OMG. I was doing some MASH work while watching “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”. In this particular episode, Khloe came by to Jenner’s house and commented that she knows that Bruce, her stepdad is concerned with his hearing. So she bought him something. A “Harmony Cone”. Guess what that is? It’s a freaking ear candle! Khloe performed ear candling on Bruce on international television! And the whole family totally believed it and was like asking her to do his other ear! A definite no-no for an audiologist!!! Sigh. I am seriously AGAINST ear candling. It’s hazardous and actually caused deaths! In fact, I wrote a really good article about it, just waiting for it to be published in the local newspaper. If it’s not, watch out for this space!




Continuing with the Kardashians, so Bruce was obviously not hearing things and as a consequent not doing his responsibilities right. So he decided to see the Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT) Specialist, Dr. Sugarman. Bruce did a hearing test in a small sound booth and what looked like an ancient audiometer! (Sorry, but seriously I am feeling very much proud that my centre has a better audiology clinic and audiometer, hehe). I think he’s losing his high frequencies but the doctor was kindly saying that his hearing is normal for his age. I just wonder, what norms is he using?? Dr. Sugarman was also counselling him saying that maybe Kris (his wife) can try talking to him in a gentler, clearer manner rather than nagging him or screaming at him (that’s what I concluded). That made Bruce think he has selective hearing, which he then told Kris later when he got back home. Big mistake. You don’t tell your wife you’re tuning out on her! That’s the stupidest thing to say to a wife. I hope my husband won’t do that, ever! But then they talked things over, and things were good again.

Lesson to be learnt today: GOOD COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL! (especially in marriage :P) And if you’re not hearing well, do a hearing test, NOT EAR CANDLING!