In May 2013, in conjunction with its partner organisations and local surgeons, SCIC created history by performing the Northern Territory’s first cochlear implant surgeries.

Four surgeries were conducted at Royal Darwin Hospital by Dr. Hemi Patel and Dr. Graeme Crossland, with Professor William Gibson providing advice and guidance based on his experience of over 2000 surgeries.

SCIC will be supporting these and future recipients through a partnership with Arafura Audiology and Alice Audiology, the Northern Territory’s premier audiology service. Staff from these two clinics have been trained to provide post surgery audiological and re/habilitation services for recipients.

In addition there will be regular visits from Sydney based clinicians.

This new initiative provides Territorians with a world class cochlear implant programme and affirms SCIC’s philosophy of ensuring its services are easily accessible to all those who need them.

In addition there will be the benefit of reducing the financial impact on the Territory’s public health costs by eliminating the need for Territorians to travel to Sydney for surgery and habilitation. It is hoped that the program will gain support from the Northern Territory government soon.

Another six surgeries are planned for October 2013 with the SCIC charity

Partnership brings SCIC Services to Darwin

Darwin, Northern Territory

SCIC Newsletter:Gladesville, Newcastle, Canberra, Gosford, Lismore, Port Macquarie, Penrith, Darwin November 2013

Make a difference.

Your Bequest to SCIC has the power to change lives…make it happen!

For more information on leaving a Bequest to SCIC contact the Development Office

T 1300 658 981 F (02) 9844 6811

E scicadmin@scic.org.au

www.scic.org.au

Newcastle 710 Hunter Street NEWCASTLE WEST NSW T 02 4926 8100Canberra 10 Rudd Street CANBERRA NSW T 02 6248 6492

Central Coast Ground Floor, 40 Mann Street GOSFORD NSW T 02 4324 2110Lismore Suite 10A Conway Plaza, 21 Conway Street LISMORE NSW T 02 6622 5593

Port Macquarie Shop 11, 146-150 Gordon Street PORT MACQUARIE NSW T 1300 658 981Penrith Suite 5A, 119-121 Lethbridge Street PENRITH NSW T 1300 658 981

Darwin Arafura Audiology Northgate Plaza, 101 Mitchell Street DARWIN NT T 08 8981 0031

SCIC PO Box 188 GLADESVILLE NSW 1675Bldg 39 Old Gladesville Hospital via Punt Road GLADESVILLE

T 02 9844 6800 F 02 9844 6811 E scicadmin@scic.nsw.gov.au www.scic.org.au

providing funding for five of the cochlear implant devices.

Congratulations to all involved for their hard work and perseverance in establishing such an important new service for the people of the Northern Territory.

SCIC Darwin:Arafura AudiologyNorthgate Plaza, 101 Mitchell StreetDARWIN NT 0800

Tim Palmer was born profoundly deaf and received a cochlear implant through SCIC back in 1996 when he was just two years old and a second when he we fourteen.

Having a hearing impairment hasn’t held Tim back.

Despite his youth, Tim has achieved outstanding things. He coaches younger soccer players, is a talented public speaker, writes for online publications about football (one of which is based in the US and is seen by around 33 million unique users a month), manages and writes his own blog, and last year his academic performance earned him an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) in the nineties.

Now eighteen-year-old Tim, has been awarded the 2013 Graeme Clark Scholarship for his impressive academic results and his long term goals to become a sporting coach and set up sporting camps for deaf youth.

“I credit my implants with opening up opportunities that might not have otherwise been there,” he says. “They also helped me progress through mainstream school.”

“This scholarship means a lot to me, because it’s recognition of my efforts from the people that created this amazing device that has changed my life, which is a great honour,” he says after receiving his first year’s instalment of $5000. “It will also help me so much financially next year when I start my course.”

The selection panel commented that “Tim was especially exceptional in the talents that have been brought to fruition through the use of the cochlear implant and in spite of his disability.”

SCIC congratulates Tim and wishes him well with his goals.

SCIC Congratulates Tim Palmer – winner of the 2013 Graeme Clark Scholarship

Michael is happy to have SCIC closer to homeTOP Ender Michael Farris can hear properly for the first time in 15 years now that SCIC has come to town.

Palmerston resident Michael Farris was one of the few people with hearing problems to have a cochlear implant fitted in the Territory when surgery was carried out for the first time at Royal Darwin Hospital.

“It’s a bit unbelievable really, I didn’t think it (hearing) would happen again but it has,” Mr Farris said. “It will make things so different, I will be able to hear the TV and have conversations, and hopefully use a mobile phone.”

The 70-year-old said suffering hearing loss meant a lot of stress and frustration. His wife Barbara said she had to previously act as a translator between friends, family and her husband.

Mr Farris said there was one downside for his partner now that he could hear again. “She won’t be able to talk back to me because I can hear her,” he joked.

Hearing problems in the Territory were double the national average with two in 1000 people suffering loss.

Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC) has donated five cochlear implants, worth $25,000 each, meaning Territorians won’t have to travel interstate for surgery.

SCIC’s chief executive Robert McLeod said there was a greater need in the NT. “There is a need for a permanent service for the Territory and the need hasn’t been addressed,” he said. “We want to speak with NT Health to provide more as to date over 30 Territorians have received a cochlear implant but there are already more than 10 on a waiting list.

Photo: Elise Derwin. Courtesy of NT News 19 June 13: Clayton Bennett

Introducing Dr Isabelle Boisvert - SCIC’s most recent PhD graduate.

Isabelle is part of the SCIC Research team at the Australian Hearing Hub, Macquarie University.

SCIC’s most recent PhD graduate

Courtesy of Cochlear Ltd

Last month SCIC Penrith hosted its first Musical Morning for children with cochlear implants.

These sessions are based on the very successful model developed by audiologist Jane Brew and Senior Habilitationist Andrea Gibbons at Gladesville last year.

The aim is to practically apply the current recommendations concerning how to get the most out of listening to music through a cochlear implant. Music for this age group is a natural and fun tool for boosting listening, speech and language skills. Basic music skills such as following along with different rhythms and moving differently to varied styles of music were explored – as well as plenty of sing-alongs and dancing!

“They were an energetic bunch and it was great to have other staff members, Catherine, Cecile and Sarah helping me” commented Andrea who facilitated the session.

Andrea and the SCIC Penrith staff have a further three Musical Mornings planned before the end of the year. Contact Catherine at SCIC Penrith on 1300 658 981 or penrithadmin@scic.org.au for more details.

Music at Penrith

The following statistics give you an insight into the demand for our services;

• 353 surgeries – almost one for every day of the year!!!!

• A record 203 new adult recipients• 50 new paediatric recipients• 75 children and adults received their

second implant

• Nearly 10,000 appointmentsFurther proof of the increasing demand on our services is evidenced by the rapid growth in our new Darwin service and the Penrith Centre opened in March this year. Professor Gibson will be supervising another 6 implant surgeries in Darwin in October and under the masterful management of Sarah Love, Penrith has had to employ additional audiological and administrative services to meet the demand.

This increasing demand manifests itself in many ways, not the least is the ongoing need to expand our existing sites and look for new opportunities to establish an SCIC Centre. We are

currently in the process of doubling the size of our Newcastle Centre to accommodate the staff of 8, increased from 1 part time employee in 2004 and will need to re-locate the Lady Mary Fairfax SCIC Canberra Centre in early 2014.

Funding for this expansion is not cheap and SCIC receives no government support for these infrastructure costs. We are entirely dependent on your ongoing support and generosity.

Please visit our web site and make a donation at www.scic.org.au

And finally… spring is certainly in the air at SCIC. We currently have 4 staff away on maternity leave and we are delighted to welcome 4 new members into the extended SCIC family. When you next see Nidhi, Melinda, Natalie and Nellie (which may not be for some time yet!) please congratulate them.

Robert McLeod Chief Executive Officer

North Coast recipient Michelle Higgins organised a High Tea with the assistance of members of the Rollands Plains Community Group.

During the afternoon Michelle spoke of her experiences since receiving a cochlear implant in 2009 and of her passion to do something that could help other deaf people enjoy the pleasure of hearing all the subtle sounds most of us take for granted.

The day was a great success catering to a full house. Over $1,000 was raised and will be shared between SCIC - Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre and the Rollands Plains Community.

Courtesy of The Rollands Plains Review: October 2013

From the chief executive’s desk…What a year…the 2013 financial year has proved to be another busy and successful one at SCIC.

Children from different cultural backgrounds joined in the fun

Andrea and Cecile perform for the children

Part of the fun was making the musical instruments

High Tea raises hearing awareness

SCIC was well represented at the 22nd Deaflympics held in Sofia, Bulgaria. The recipients in the team included Sam Cartledge and Jordan Woolmer – Basketball, John Lui - Tennis, Teneale Houghton – swimming, Melinda Vernon and Amy-Lee Mills – athletics.

Amy was the most successful competitor winning gold in the javelin with a personal best. “It’s given me more ammunition to continue and hopefully crack the 50 [metres],” she said. “It was an awesome experience and good to bring a gold medal home.”

Like all other competitors at the Deaflympics, Amy is deaf and uses a cochlear implant. Being deaf does not

stop her competing at an elite level as she not only competes alongside the hearing impaired, she also performs well in open competition. “You’ve got to go for it and dedicate yourself, if you don’t put time into it, you don’t get the results.” she said. All the hard work was worth it. “New people, new friendships, new experiences, new places, and the satisfaction of beating your personal best is great,” she said. “And people like SCIC are there to support you along the journey.”

Melinda was the next best performer bringing home silver in the 10,000 and bronze in the 5,000 despite harsh conditions - running at 5pm on a boiling track in 37 degree heat.

Amy brings home goldAmy was one of the first recipients to be switched-on when SCIC Newcastle opened at The Junction in 2006. She had been implanted by Professor Bill Gibson in August and has seen audiologist Carmel Ramsay regularly since then for mapping.

Amy has not let her deafness get in the way of her athletic ambition, competing in the 2009 Deaf Olympics in Taiwan in discus, shot-put and javelin. As a further aid to her hearing, in 2010 Amy received a second cochlear implant by Dr Rob Eisenberg at John Hunter Hospital.

She intends to resume limited training time in the javelin and discus between working full time and her role as a Teacher’s Aide of a deaf boy in Year 8 four days a week during school term commitments. Her ultimate dream is of throwing further than 50 metres and becoming competitive on the open national scene.

SCIC will be there to support Amy with her dream through our Newcastle centre and wish her well in what should be a great sporting career.

Teigan was SCIC’s 69th recipient in 1992Congratulation also go to Teigan van Roosmalen for her 4 bronze medals won at the recent IPC World Swimming Championships in Montreal, Canada.

Teigan became SCIC’s 69th recipient when she received her first implant when she was 20 months old in 1992. She had a second implant in 2005.

Congratulations to the SCIC recipients who participated at the 2013 Deaflympics

Thanks to our recipients for raising money for SCIC.

This was Diane Thompson’s second run in the city2surf raising money for SCIC and the first time she was joined by her daughter Grace and son David. It was a fun day for the family with them all proudly recording personal best times. You can read her story at www.scic.org.au/thomson3runners-2013-ciyt2surf/

Another recipient participating for SCIC was Ben Taylor. Ben did the run in 68 minutes – not what he was aiming for but in his words…”I’ll be back”.

Fantastic effort!

As part of Hearing Awareness Week, an online clinical training module aimed at improved health services to rural and remote Australia was launched at the Australian Hearing Hub by Senator Rachel Siewert – Greens Senator for Western Australia.

Developed by the HEARing Cooperative Research Centre (HEARing CRC), the module is specifically aimed at improving access to specialised cochlear implant fitting procedures for patients, families and professionals living in regional, rural and remote settings.

The module is the end result of a three-year long translational research project, involving HEARing CRC Members. Emma van Wanrooy audiologist at SCIC - Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre, collaborated with staff from the University of Queensland, Hear and Say and the RIDBC on the project.

Technologies such as video conferencing and remote computer access software allowed clinicians to remotely adjust recipients cochlear implants to match the needs of the individual – a process known as mapping. Emma was able to

SCIC’s role in Remote Mapping Module Homework helpsJi Lian Li is doing really well with her implant. So much so that at her three month post switch-on appointment she easily managed a conversation with her daughter using the implant alone when her hearing aid battery went flat!

Ji Lian is testament to what can be achieved when hard work is put into doing the listening practice.

Anne-Marie Crowe, Ji Lian’s audiologist at SCIC Canberra, is happy to give credit to Ji Lian’s daughter Ida for her contribution. Ida put together some “auditory training” sheets in Cantonese to help her mum during the “acute” stage after switch-on. This sort of “homework” is essential in training the brain to understand the electronic signal of the cochlear implant.

As practice sheets are generally in English, Ida made up her own in Cantonese version to ensure her mum was able to do her daily listening homework. Ida very kindly modified these sheets to include Mandarin for other Chinese clients and donated them for use by SCIC.

Many thanks to Ida for her helpful contribution. We are sure that they will be very much appreciated not only by SCIC staff but by our Cantonese and Mandarin speaking clients at our other centres.

They help provide:

• 7 convenient centres • Regular Outreach • Services to the Northern Territory

and beyond• Loaner speech processors • After-hours services • State of the art IT support • Information days • Professional Development • World leading SCIC Research

Make a commitment to a monthly donation (regardless of the amount) and help SCIC maintain these crucial free services.

To arrange your regular donation please use the form on the back page of this Newsletter and return to in the envelope provided.

Above: One of the auditory training sheets adapted by for Ji Lian Li

Below: Mrs Ji Lian Li and her daughter Ida

Regular Donations make a difference!

Emma demonstrating remote mapping with

recipient Harvey Roberts

demonstrate how the module works with SCIC recipient Harvey Roberts.

Traditionally, mapping has only been possible as a face-to-face service using specialised clinic facilities only available in major metropolitan and regional centres.

Research showed that the end results of remote mapping sessions were directly comparable to normal clinic sessions and helped clarify the likely benefits children, adults and families in regional, rural and remote settings; significant reduction in clinician and client travel costs and shorter service delivery waiting times.

A/Prof Bob Cowan, CEO of the HEARing CRC said the online training module and associated guidelines launched today as part of HEARnet will play an important role in encouraging the uptake and use of teleaudiology services by the wider Australian hearing health community.

Left: Senator Rachel Siewert together with SCIC’s Emma van Wanrooy,

recipient Harvey Roberts and other research team members

Good Bye and Thank You

Australasian Newborn Hearing Screening ConferenceMaree McTaggart – Audiologist at SCIC Newcastle, attended 7th Australasian Newborn Hearing Screening Conference in Auckland, New Zealand presenting on ‘Bilateral cochlear implantation in children identified in newborn hearing screening: why the rush?’

Her research found there was no significant difference between outcomes from her target group of children identified as cochlear implant candidates through newborn hearing screening in the first two years following cochlear implantation. The research also demonstrated good outcomes can be attained if the child is implanted either bilaterally or unilaterally within the first 12 months of life.

For over ten years a wonderful group of supports from the Hunter region have been actively fundraising to ensure that local cochlear implant recipients have access to the services they need.

Initiated and coordinated by Max and Isabel Lindsay, the Newcastle Hunter Support Group for the Hearing Impaired was established in the early days when Hunter based recipients where looked after through a regular Outreach service from Gladesville.

With the rapid increase in numbers, Max and Isabel lobbied strongly to have a permanent centre established for the region. Their dream became a reality

when SCIC opened at The Junction in 2006. Within two years, a larger site was needed and SCIC moved to its present location in Hunter Street.

Throughout this time the NHSG has been assiduous in raising thousands of dollars to be used to purchase equipment for the centre to assist with the delivery of services for recipients.

Max and Isabel have decided to take things a little easier now so the NHSG has been wound up and at a recent reception in Kurri Kurri, a final donation of $10,000 was presented to SCIC Newcastle staff for the purchase of an audiometer and tympanometer.

Max & Isabel with their commemorative plate

Location 2014 Outreach Dates Venue

South Coast Monday 24 Feb- Wednesday 26 Feb 2014 Kiama Downs Neighbourhood Cnt

South Coast Monday 16 June- Wednesday 18 June 2014 Kiama Downs Neighbourhood Cnt

South Coast Monday 27 October- Wednesday 29 October 2014 Kiama Downs Neighbourhood Cnt

Dubbo Tuesday 13 May-Friday 16 May 2014 Australian Hearing

Dubbo Tuesday 9 June- Friday 13 June Dubbo Community Centre- 80 Gipps St

Dubbo Monday 17 November- Thursday 20 November 2014 Australian Hearing & Dubbo Community Centre

Orange Monday 26 May- Thursday 29 May 2014 Orange Commmunity Cnt- 79-81 Kite St

Orange Monday 23 June- Wednesday 25 June 2014 Australian Hearing

Orange Monday 24 November- Thursday 27 November 2014 Orange Commmunity Cnt- 79-81 Kite St

Griffith Thursday 22 May-Friday 23 may 2014 Griffith School

Griffith Thursday 23 October- Friday 24 October 2014 Griffith School

Port Macquarie Approx. 3 x days/month TBC

Salamander Bay 4 x days Mar /April/Sept/Oct TBC

Scone 5 x days Mar/June/July/Sept/Oct TBC

Tamworth-Moree 4 x Outreach Feb/May /Aug/Nov TBC

Taree 1 day/month TBC

Wagga Wagga Mon, 17 March – Wed, 19 March AH Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga Mon, 6 June – Wed, 18 June AH Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga Mon, 19 Aug – Wed, 20 Aug AH Wagga Wagga

Wagga Wagga Mon, 17 Nov – Wed, 19 Nov AH Wagga Wagga

SCIC staff, Rob McLeod, Polly Ballantyne and Carmel Ramsay joined Max & Isobel for the farewell reception

Important informationFrom the troubleshooting gals: Lyn & Sue

SCIC Research UpdateEye Tracking using EEG (Electroencephalography)

SCIC has been involved in the development of this project from its beginning.

The project is designed to try and measure the cognitive effort one has to invest when doing speech perception tests, such as those we do with cochlear implant recipients.

We are still only testing people with normal hearing, but eventually, we hope that this research will help CI clinics to better assess benefits of implantation in recipients.

Single Sided Deafness

Leanne Babic’s presentation on Single Sided Deafness with recipient Beatrix Varga created much interest as the October Professional Seminar.

Looking after your processor during the warmer weather

Use your Dry and Store Unit

As the humid weather approaches, please take some time to make sure you have fresh drying crystals to put into your dry kit. You can use the re-useable metal can desiccant, disposable CEDIS crystals or DryBriks. The crystals are necessary to absorb the moisture - the small fan and heater in the drying unit helps circulate the air and moves the moisture off into the packet of crystals. Paying attention to this will help to keep your processor working well.

Spare Parts

Make sure that you always keep a few spare parts to troubleshoot any problems with your processor- at least a coil, cable and spare battery unit. If you have an older model processor as a spare, try it every now and again for a few hours to make sure it is still working, and bring it to appointments so the map can be updated.

Keeping your processor on your ear

Remember good retention can prevent loss or damage to your processor. For babies and very young children consider using double sided tape, Hearing Henry headbands, litewear options or oliver clips. Older children and adults can use snugfits or mic locks. Please ask your audiologist.

Keeping your processor safe

If you plan to take your processor off at times during the day to go swimming or some other activity, carry a small container (with your name and contact number) to put it in. Quite often, processors are put into someone’s pocket and then easily lost with no

identification. Dogs also like to chew processors, so make sure your processor is put somewhere safe at all times where it cannot be damaged. A client once put their hearing aid down on an outside table and it was picked up by a Kookaburra, who must have thought it looked like a big grub!! Remember your processor is very expensive and costs over $8000.00 to replace.

Travelling overseas

Always make sure you take spare parts and an older ‘backup’ processor if you have one. You can also take a USB stick with your latest maps on it in case you need to obtain a loaner processor from an overseas clinic. You can locate your nearest clinic from the websites, visit www.cochlear.com or www.medel.com.

For adults it is essential to insure your processor for overseas trips. There are two options for insuring processors

• Include it in your current ‘house and contents’ insurance policy

• Or acquire a ‘stand–alone’ policy. MGA Insurance Brokers is a company that insures processors.

Aqua Accessory for the Cochlear Nucleus 5 processor

You might want to try Cochlear’s AQUA ACESSORY which you can use to swim with your processor on. You will need to use the rechargeable battery, as the disposable ZincAir batteries need air to keep working and will not work for long inside the plastic aqua accessory. You will also need to secure it to your clothing so it doesn’t float away!! You can use the aqua accessory when you are gardening or participating in active sports as this keeps the perspiration out of your processor. The Aqua Accessory can be purchased from Cochlear’s online store at www.cochlear.com/au/online-store.

SCIC is moving towards a paper-free environment and a more effective means of communicating with our extended family.Please provide us with an email or mobile number that we can use to keep you informed about appointments, recalls, devise information, presentations and general SCIC information.Read our e-newsletter for regular updates.

Like us and become part of the online family while raising awareness for SCIC

Visit the new SCIC web site:www.scic.org.auShare your cochlear implant story with us at www.scic.org.au/?page_id=126

OPTION 1 Here is my/our MONTHLY gift of:

$15 $25 $50 $100

Other $ (minimum $10)(An authorisation form for regular giving will be sent to you)

OPTION 2 Here is my/our SINGLE gift of:

$25 $50 $100 $250

Other $

My/our payment details are:

Enclosed is a cheque/money order for $ made payable to SCIC

I /we wish to pay by Direct Debit

Account name:

BSB: Account No:

Please debit my/our Amex MasterCard Visa card,

Name on Card: Signature:

Number: / / / Expiry Date: /

CCV No: (last 3/4 digits of security number front or back of card)

Please send receipt to:

Mr Mrs Ms Miss Dr

Address:

Phone: Email:

Donations can be made online at www.scic.org.au

Return to: SCIC Fundraising Reply Paid 85829 Gladesville NSW 1675 P: 02 9844 6800 F: 02 9844 6811 E: scicadmin@scic.org.au www.scic.org.au

Please send more information about SCIC

I/we would prefer not to be acknowledged publicly for my/our support

Please send information on remembering SCIC in my/our Will

DEC 2013A bona fide gift to SCIC is allowable for the purpose of claiming a deduction under item 1 of the Table item Section 30-15 of the Australian Income Tax Act 1997

Donations can be made online at www.scic.org.au

SCIC now has Medibands specifically worded for cochlear implant users.Made of food grade silicone, they are easily sterilised and are 100% hypo-allergenic (non-toxic). They have soft, rounded and pliable edges that are less likely to catch on foreign objects and are designed to safely break and snap if enough force is applied.

Wrist bands details are:

• Wording: Cochlear implant. No MRI, Diathermy, ECT.

• Colours: red, orange, yellow, green, black, light blue, pink, purple

• Sizes: small (150mm), medium (180mm) and large (202mm)

• Extra large can be ordered

• Cost: $10.00 each

• Available from SCIC centres,

• ordered online at www.scic.org.au/scic-medibands-now-available/• Contact SCIC at 1300 658 981 or scicadmin@scic.org.au

All bands $10 small, Medium, large, extra large