Tuesday, 31 October 2023 21:19
NEW REPORT: FIXING THE SKILLS SHORTAGE
Aussies name their best SOLUTIONS
SASWATI MUKHERJEE
SASWATI MUKHERJEE
IF numbers are an indication, 54% Australians think that cheaper or free TAFE or University courses are the most effective way to solve the country’s skills shortage.
Monday, 30 October 2023 06:38
HAWKESBURY-NEPEAN FLOOD UPGRADES
Evacuation routes funded over 10 years
THE NSW Government is investing $200 million over the next two years to develop and deliver major evacuation routes in the flood-prone Hawkesbury-Nepean.
Sunday, 29 October 2023 11:11
GOVT LAUNCHES THE BUSINESS BUREAU
Support to cut through RED TAPE
ELIZABETH FRIAS
A BUREAU established by the NSW government to support the more than 840,000 businesses cut through red tape in the wake of current economic challenges has been met with enthusiasm by the sector.
Thursday, 26 October 2023 10:18
WESTERN SYDNEY GOES TO PARLIAMENT
WEXPO delivers community forum findings
BLACKTOWN MP Stephen Bali welcomed the 80 WEXPO delegation to NSW Parliament House on October 11where three keynote speakers presented findings from WEXPO to parliamentarians.
BLACKTOWN MP Stephen Bali welcomed the 80 WEXPO delegation to NSW Parliament House on October 11where three keynote speakers presented findings from WEXPO to parliamentarians.
Sunday, 22 October 2023 08:46
AUTISM-SPECIFIC SOCCER CLINIC IN WEST
Wanderers in unique needs partnership
Program A COLLBORATION between the Western Sydney Wanderers football club and Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) has led to the creation of a specially designed soccer clinic for children in Sydney’s western suburbs, who are on the autism spectrum.
Program A COLLBORATION between the Western Sydney Wanderers football club and Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) has led to the creation of a specially designed soccer clinic for children in Sydney’s western suburbs, who are on the autism spectrum.
Sunday, 22 October 2023 08:39
FRESH START FOR ST MARYS ICON
Community support groups benefit
THE new and improved St Marys Community Centre has been unveiled and is ready for the community to enjoy following the completion of extensive upgrades.
THE new and improved St Marys Community Centre has been unveiled and is ready for the community to enjoy following the completion of extensive upgrades.
Sunday, 22 October 2023 08:21
AI - THE GOOD AND THE BAD
The jobs most at risk from value shift
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
AI is taking the business world by storm worldwide, producing both good and bad news for workers in Western Sydney.
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
AI is taking the business world by storm worldwide, producing both good and bad news for workers in Western Sydney.
Sunday, 22 October 2023 06:43
MADE IN THE WEST RETURNS
Film festival showcases local talent
MADE in the West Film Festival returns this November for its 12th annual festival highlighting the outstanding talent in the Western Sydney film scene and cutting-edge films being made by independent and student filmmakers in the region.
Wednesday, 11 October 2023 15:27
ONE OF THE FINEST IN OUR REGION
Popular tourist spot receives rave reviews
ELIZABETH FRIAS
SOARING interest rates and rising cost of living are ongoing hurdles for Vintage Secret Garden Restaurant owner Kavita Saini.
Friday, 06 October 2023 07:22
LINK BETWEEN DIABETES AND HEARING LOSS
Western Sydney most at risk
HEARING loss and diabetes are two of Australia’s most common health concerns and research shows that people living with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer hearing loss as those without the condition.
HEARING loss and diabetes are two of Australia’s most common health concerns and research shows that people living with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer hearing loss as those without the condition.
Diabetes is a condition that affects the body's ability to produce or use insulin, a hormone which helps balance the levels of sugar in your blood.
Western Sydney is facing a growing health concern due to the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes which is at 13 per cent in adults - higher than the state average.
Western Sydney Diabetes is a collaborative initiative led by Western Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WentWest), Diabetes Australia and Department of Planning and Environment to address the Western Sydney diabetes hotspot.
Over time, diabetes can damage blood vessels in the heart, kidneys, nerves and can cause hearing loss and permanent vision loss in the eyes.
Donalee Rose, Community Hearing Advisor from Hearing Australia in Westpoint Blacktown, said it is important people living with diabetes understand the risks and long-term implications of hearing loss.
Ms Rose, who provides hearing care, education and information for the Blacktown Local Government Area, said most people are not aware of the significant impact of diabetes on hearing.
“The structure of the inner ear is highly vascularised,” she said. “Therefore, hearing loss can result from changes to the small blood vessels of the inner ear.
“There is evidence that diabetes may lead to the sensorineural hearing loss by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear.”
She said the physical and psychological effects of hearing loss can be debilitating.
“It is also critical that hearing loss is not left unmanaged due to the risk of comorbidities,” Ms Rose said.
Interventions are aimed at reducing the effects of the damage and restoring function. It is very important the brain continues to be stimulated by hearing and understanding words.
Hearing Australia has provided hearing care for 76 years helping Australians re-discover the joy of sound and is the largest provider of government-funded hearing services in Australia.
As a Community Hearing Advisor, Ms Rose liaises with GPs, pharmacists, community groups and sporting organisations to raise awareness of diabetes in the community via free hearing screenings to identify hearing loss and facilitate clinical appointments with audiologists.
Bill Needham of Prospect has had type 2 diabetes for 11 years and met Ms Rose at Myrtle Street Pharmacy, Blacktown for a Pharmacy Hearing Screening and discovered there could be a link between his diabetes and his hearing loss.
“It’s a conversation worth having with your GP,” Ms Rose said.
“People might come in to get their diabetes medication and the GP will take that extra step and send them to me as the patient may not realise their diabetes could be linked to their hearing loss.”
Ms Rose facilitated an appointment with an audiologist who fitted Bill, 76, with hearing devices.
He said it has been a positive, life changing experience and encourages everyone to have an annual hearing screening, especially people who have diabetes which allows for early diagnosis and effective hearing care management.
Diabetes can be prevented by:
• Early detection and follow-up;
• Managing blood sugar levels;
• Quitting smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels; and
• Maintaining a healthy weight.
Western Sydney Local Health District provides several initiatives including community education programs, screening services and support groups for people with diabetes.
Residents can visit Ms Rose at the Blacktown Hearing Australia Centre, Level 2, Westpoint Shopping Centre, 17 Patrick Street, Blacktown between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday, September 26.
Western Sydney Diabetes staff specialists have put together a video discussing the importance of hearing checks: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/770971497/af04736acb
Visit www.westernsydneydiabetes.com.au/ for more information.
