Employment Outcomes For The Congenitally Deaf In Australia: Has Anything Changed?

Chapter 2 THE EXTENT AND CAUSES OF HEARING Impairment IN AUSTRALIA

Ane in half dozen Australians is affected by hearing loss...With an ageing population, [this] is expected to increase to one in four...by 2050.

Access Economics, Listen Hear! The economic impact and cost of hearing loss in Australia, (February 2006), p. 5.

The almost common causes of hearing loss are ageing and excessive exposure to loud sounds. The effects of historic period and noise exposure are additive so that racket exposure may crusade hearing loss in middle age that would not otherwise occur until onetime historic period.

Department of Health and Ageing, Submission 54, [p. ane].

Introduction

2.ane The increasing prevalence of hearing loss is due largely to an ageing population, although there are a range of factors and behaviours among other sectors of the population which will have a flow-on result on people's hearing in after life. These factors volition be canvassed in this chapter.

2.two This chapter will consider the causes of hearing loss, aspects of the severity and impacts of different levels of hearing loss, and the current and projected prevalence of hearing loss in Australia.

ii.3 The committee drew on show from hearing loss experts and from people with hearing loss themselves. In improver, Access Economics' report Heed Hear! was of great value to the committee in because the problems raised in this chapter.

Severity of hearing damage

2.four This section summarises some of the language and concepts effectually the severity of hearing loss. This will aid the reader to sympathise the evidence which follows about prevalence and causes of hearing loss.

2.five There are a range of facets to hearing loss, including:

decreased audibility, where people with hearing impairment do not hear some sounds at all, depending on the severity of hearing loss. Equally a issue, a person may be unable to understand speech, as some essential parts are inaudible;
decreased dynamic range. The dynamic range of an ear is the level of departure between the threshold of audible audio and the threshold of loudness discomfort. A person with a hearing impairment will have a smaller dynamic range than that of a person with normal hearing;
decreased frequency resolution. A person with hearing impairment may accept difficulty separating sounds of different frequencies. A person with normal hearing is able to carve up speech from background dissonance; yet a hearing impaired person is unable to differentiate between spoken communication and noise where the frequencies are close together. This can also affect the intelligibility of speech in some cases; and
decreased temporal resolution. Intense sounds tin can mask weaker sounds that immediately precede or follow them, and inability to perceive the weaker sounds adversely affects voice communication intelligibility. The ability to hear weak sounds during fluctuating background dissonance gradually decreases as hearing loss worsens.[1]

In combination, these deficits tin can crusade a reduction in intelligibility of speech for a hearing dumb person compared to a normal-hearing person in the same situation.

2.6 Hearing levels are determined by testing the range of sounds that tin be heard and how softly ane tin hear such sounds. The range of sounds is measured in hertz (Hz) or waves per second and the intensity or strength of sound is measured in terms of a calibration of decibels (dB).[2]

ii.vii Figure 2.ane is a visual representation which equates different decibel levels with common noises.

Figure 2.1: Approximate sound levels (dB) for common types of noise exposure

Effigy by Australian Hearing, provided in DOHA, Submission 54, p. 16.

ii.8 The severity of hearing loss is categorised as balmy, moderate, severe, or profound, depending on how loud a audio has to be earlier a person can hear information technology. The severity of hearing loss is categorised differently for different age groups.[3]

Tabular array two.1: Severity of hearing loss by decibel range and age

Severity of hearing loss	Decibel (dB) range (< xv years)	Decibel (dB) range (≥ 15 years)
Mild	0-30dB	≥25dB and <45dB
Moderate	31-60dB	≤ 45dB and <65dB
Severe	61-90dB	≥ 65dB
Profound	≥ 91dB

Source: Admission Economic science, Listen Hear! The economic touch and price of hearing loss in Australia, (February 2006), p. 5.

two.9 Hearing loss is measured using either subjective tests, such as audiometric testing, or objective tests, which measure a physiological response from the individual. Newborn hearing tests are objective tests which employ an auditory encephalon stalk response technique to an audio-visual stimulus.[4]

The extent of hearing damage in Australia

two.10 Access Economic science reported all-encompassing data on the prevalence of hearing loss among Australians. In 2005 around 3.55 million Australians had some hearing loss. Of these, some 99.seven per cent were anile 15 years or older.[five]

Prevalence of hearing impairment in children

2.eleven Australian Hearing submitted that 'between nine and 12 children per x,000 live births will be born with a moderate or greater hearing loss in both ears'. In addition, three to four children per 10,000 live births will be born with moderate hearing loss, and a further 23 per 10,000 will larn a hearing loss that requires hearing aids past the age of 17.[6] This prove suggests that 39 children in 10,000 volition have some form of hearing loss past the historic period of 17.

ii.12 Access Economics reported that the estimated severity of hearing loss in the Australian kid population is currently 36.7 per cent balmy, 38.3 per cent moderate, 13.iii per cent severe and 11.vii per cent profound, every bit seen in Figure two.2 below.[7]

Figure 2.two: Hearing loss in Australian children past severity, 2005 (n=ten,268)

2.thirteen The Hear and Say Heart noted in their submission that, co-ordinate to the World Health Organisation, hearing loss is the most common disability in new born children worldwide.[8] The Victorian Deaf Society submitted that more children are having their hearing impairment diagnosed, but fewer children are being institute to have a severe-profound hearing loss. This is attributed to medical advances and more than sensitive testing.[nine]

two.xiv Many submitters noted that hearing harm in Indigenous children is specially high. This outcome is discussed in detail at chapter 8 of this written report.

Prevalence of hearing harm in adults

two.15 Access Economic science reported that amongst adults, the prevalence of hearing loss varies over age groups. Tabular array two.two is a summary of hearing loss amongst adults by historic period.

Table two.2: Hearing loss prevalence by age group

Historic period grouping	Hearing loss as a proportion of all people in each age group.
15 to 50 years	five %
51 to threescore years	29 %
61 to 70 years	58 %
71 years and older	74 %

Source: Access Economics, Listen Hear! The economical impact and price of hearing loss in Australia, (February 2006), p. 5.

2.16 The committee heard that hearing loss was more prevalent in men than women due to their higher exposure to workplace noise, though the gap reduces equally people get older.[10] Sixty per cent of adults with a hearing loss are male, and approximately one-half of these men are of working age (i.e. 15 to 64 years).[11] The economic and social impacts of this are explored in chapters three and four of this report.

2.17 Of the 3.55 meg Australian adults with hearing loss, 66 per cent had a mild loss, 23 per cent had a moderate loss and 11 per cent had a astringent or profound hearing loss.[12]

Prevalence projections

2.18 Access Economics estimated that the prevalence of hearing impairment in children is likely to increase from 10,268 in 2005 to 11,031 past 2050, an increment of 7.5 per cent. Unlike projections for the developed population, this estimate is 'fairly static' and is based on population growth.[thirteen]

2.19 Hearing loss prevalence in the adult population is expected to more than double by 2050 to one in 4. For all males in Australia, hearing loss is projected to increase from 21 per cent in 2005 to 31.5 per cent (nearly one in three) in 2015. The projected increase will exist largely driven by the ageing population. In the absence of a large scale prevention program, the severity of hearing loss is not expected to change. The growth in hearing loss for males is expected to increase from 21 per cent to 31.5 per cent and for females from fourteen per cent to 22 per cent.[fourteen]

Effigy 2.2: Projected growth in hearing loss by gender (worse ear)

2.20 New South Wales (NSW) Health commented that hearing loss projections back up the instance for early detection and intervention programs, every bit well every bit strategies to prevent noise induced hearing loss through hearing health promotion and education.[15]

Causes of hearing loss

2.21 Every bit discussed above, around one in half dozen Australians endure from some degree of hearing impairment.[16] Hearing loss tin can be either nowadays at birth (congenital) or occur later in life (acquired).[17]

ii.22 There are three types of hearing loss: conductive, sensorineural or mixed.[18] The diagram of the parts of an ear provided below at figure 2.iii will assist to empathize aspects of hearing loss.

Figure 2.3: The hearing system

Source: Access Economic science. Listen Hear! The economical impact and cost of hearing loss in Australia, (February 2006), p. xv.

ii.23 Conductive hearing loss occurs every bit a issue of blockage or damage to the outer and/or middle ear, and can be either transient or permanent. The most common crusade of hearing loss in children is eustachian tube dysfunction, which may touch on up to 30 per cent of children during the winter months. This may atomic number 82 to fluid in the centre ear, or otitis media, in which a bacterial or viral agent infects the middle ear or ear drum. Otitis media may result in perforations of the ear drum, and may over the long term cause scarring of the ear pulsate.[19]

2.24 Sensorineural loss is caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the cochlea (sensory) or the auditory nerve (neural). Damage can arise from excessive noise exposures, chemical damage such as smoking, environmental agents or medications and from the ageing procedure. Hearing loss can too result from damage to the auditory nerve. Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent by nature.[20]

Hearing loss in children

2.25 Most children born with a hearing loss have a sensorineural hearing loss.[21] The Brotherhood for Deafened Children noted that approximately 60 per cent of congenital deafness is due to genetics, with the remaining 40 per cent due to ecology factors or complications during pregnancy or nativity. Approximately 95 per cent of children with hearing loss are born to parents with normal hearing.[22]

2.26 Aussie Deafened Kids reported that conductive hearing loss in children is due mainly to:

otitis media – a heart ear infection which is usually treatable and temporary. Otitis media is particularly prevalent in Ancient and Torres Strait Islander populations where the illness is likely to go chronic and respond poorly to treatment, every bit discussed in more particular in chapter eight;
cholesteatoma – a slow growing, not‐cancerous growth behind the ear drum which can result in serious damage to the center and inner ear. It is normally the result of severe and repeated center ear infections;
microtia and aural atresia – a congenital deformity of the outer ear and the absence of an ear canal. Microtia and audible atresia has a reported incidence of approximately one in every vi,000 births worldwide. In most cases, microtia is also associated with audible atresia or stenosis and these children will accept a conductive hearing loss.[23]

Ageing

2.27 As part of the ageing process there is a gradual loss of 'outer hair jail cell' function in the cochlea or inner ear. This diminishes the ability to distinguish similar speech sounds, or sounds heard simultaneously, such every bit speech in a noisy setting.[24] Therefore, as the committee heard many times during this inquiry, as the Australian population ages in that location will exist increasing numbers of people with hearing loss.

Dissonance induced hearing loss (NIHL)

2.28 Noise induced hearing loss is associated with 37 per cent of all hearing loss.[25] Workplace dissonance and recreational noise are the most mutual source of racket injury and, according to the Australian Social club of Otolaryngology Head and Cervix Surgeons (ASOHNS), the most common form of preventable hearing loss in the western world.[26] The ASOHNS argued that it is a very important consideration in terms of maintaining the community's hearing, as its affect is felt across all ages in the community.

Occupational noise induced hearing loss (ONIHL)

2.29 An estimated 1 one thousand thousand employees in Australia may be exposed to dangerous levels of noise at work. Audio and pressure level was the stated cause for over 96 per cent of workers' compensation claims for hearing loss in 2001-02. Adventure of hearing harm in the workplace may besides arise through exposure to occupational ototoxins (these include solvents, fuels, metals, fertilisers, herbicides and pharmaceuticals, every bit discussed further in chapter six). Damage is more likely if a person is exposed to a combination of substances and noise.[27]

2.30 The Department of Health and Ageing (DOHA) submitted that the principle characteristics of ONIHL are that:

the hearing loss is commonly on both sides as almost noise exposures are symmetric;
symptoms may include gradual loss of hearing, hearing sensitivity and tinnitus (the experience of noise or ringing in the ears where no external physical noise is nowadays);
noise exposure alone does non normally produce a loss greater than 75dB at high frequencies and 40 dB at low frequencies, however hearing impairment may be worse where age-related losses are superimposed; and
the charge per unit of hearing loss due to chronic noise exposure is greatest during the beginning 10–15 years of exposure.[28]

2.31 Prophylactic Piece of work Commonwealth of australia provided bear witness to the committee that each yr there are an boilerplate of 3,400 successful workers' compensation claims for ONIHL in Australia. The nature of hearing loss is that it has a long latency, and in that location is oftentimes difficulty determining whether a loss is work related. Therefore Safe Work Australia believes that these figures are probably understated.[29]

2.32 Analysis of workers' compensation claims for hearing loss indicate that 3 occupational groups (labourers and related workers; tradespersons and related workers; and intermediate production and ship workers) account for 88 per cent of claims. The three highest industry sectors afflicted by occupational hearing loss are the manufacturing, construction, transport and storage industries. The highest incidence rates were in mining; construction; and electricity, gas and water supply.[xxx]

2.33 Dr Fleur Champion de Crespigny of Condom Piece of work Australia outlined for the committee some of the highlights of the National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance (NHEWS) Survey, 2008:

The primary findings of the research are [that between] 28 and 32 per cent of Australian workers are likely to work in an surround where they are exposed to non-trivial loud dissonance. Workers' sex, age, nighttime piece of work, industry and occupation all affected the likelihood of a worker reporting exposure to loud noise. Of these, male person workers, young workers and night workers all had increased risk of exposure to loud noise. [Excluding the mining industry], [m]anufacturing and construction workers had the greatest hazard of being exposed to loud dissonance...Technicians and trades workers, machinery operators and drivers and labourers were the occupations with the greatest odds of reporting exposure to loud racket.[31]

Farmers and hearing loss

2.34 The agricultural sector too reports high levels of hearing loss amid farmers. 65 per cent of Australian farmers take a measurable hearing loss, compared to 22-27 per cent of the general population. Hearing loss is also high among immature farmers compared to the general population.[32] A 2002 study found that of the farmers surveyed, the average hearing loss commenced before and remained much greater than that expected for an otologically normal population.[33]

two.35 The loss of hearing in the farming sector is due to noisy activities such as using a chainsaw, operating noisy workshop equipment, operating firearms or driving tractors which exercise not accept a cabin over a sustained period. While teaching programs have been conducted to meliorate hearing protection for subcontract workers, the 2009 Rural Dissonance Injury Plan cess establish that:

only around i third of farmers reported adoption of college social club dissonance reduction strategies, such every bit upgrading to quieter equipment and dissipating workshop noise;
farmers anile 35-44 years had significantly worse hearing in their left ears (the ear closest to the tractor engine when the farmer is turned around watching behind him); and
younger farmers who ever used hearing protection had significantly meliorate hearing than those who did not.[34]

two.36 Data nerveless predominantly from the Rural Noise Injury Program (1994–2008), which includes over eight,000 hearing assessments of mostly NSW farmers, indicate that there has been an comeback in the hearing of farmers, with the proportion of farmers with 'normal hearing' increasing over the period. For younger farmers fifteen-24 years, those with normal hearing increased from 57.three per cent in 1994-2001 to 77.0 per cent for the 2002–2008 period.[35]

The difficulties of relying on workers' compensation information to determine the prevalence of ONIHL

2.37 Most discussion of the prevalence of ONIHL in Australia relies on workers' compensation data. Even so, there are a number of factors which may point that workers' bounty data do not provide a reliable measure out of ONIHL.

ii.38 For a worker to access compensation for ONIHL, the hearing loss must reach a minimum threshold. The minimum threshold differs across jurisdictions, but the Heads of Workers' Bounty Regime recommended a threshold of ten per cent hearing loss in 1997.[36] Access Economics commented that a fall in workers' bounty claims arising from ONIHL in recent years is nearly likely due to the introduction of minimum thresholds. Dr Warwick Williams commented that thresholds in issue hide the existent incidence of hearing loss in the community.[37]

2.39 The Australian Condom and Bounty Council (ASCC) reported in 2006 on work-related hearing loss in Australia and stated that compensation statistics practice not fully reflect the truthful incidence and cost of industrial deafness:

Whilst it is a positive sign, an improvement (reduction) in the number of claims existence fabricated does not necessarily correlate with an improvement in the prevention of NIHL. Merely they provide good indicators and useful trends for farther examination.[38]

2.40 Factors contributing to this understatement include:

not all employees brand claims, or are eligible to make claims, due to differing criteria;
there is a need to establish that the illness is work-related;
the industrial deafness threshold is not the same across all jurisdictions;
industries in which employees are known to exist at high run a risk of ONIHL are non all identified past the assay of compensation claims (e.g. the music amusement manufacture);
the analysis focuses on industries with the largest number of claims. At that place may be smaller industries with not many claims, but a very loftier rate of claims per employee;
employees motility between jobs, and so the resulting hearing status may be due to a combination of activities; and
employees may feel nether pressure not to claim (eastward.g. if they think it may touch on their security of employment).[39]

two.41 In the agricultural sector the reasons for the underestimate include:

but around 54 per cent of the estimated 375,000 strong agricultural workforce are actually 'employees'. Most farms are small family unit owned businesses with no employees;
'employees' within agriculture are a relatively young demographic. Noise injury is often not apparent for a number of years and task motion of immature workers tin can exist high so young workers are less likely to exist able to found a claim; and
hearing screening services in rural areas are often lacking, and small family unit-owned farm businesses tin can not provide hearing screening services themselves. This ways baseline and periodic hearing assessment to establish noise injury is difficult.[xl]

2.42 While legislation in all Australian jurisdictions seeks to protect employees from exposure to dangerous levels of noise, the show indicates that problems remain in the implementation and credence of hearing protection.[41] The findings of the NHEWS Survey, 2008 with regard to training and provision of safety equipment in noisy workplaces, revealed some areas of concern, as Dr Champion de Crespigny explained:

Grooming on how to forbid hearing damage appears to be underprovided in Australian workplaces. Only 41 per cent of exposed workers reported receiving any training in how to forestall hearing damage. In that location likewise appears to be a reliance on the provision of personal protective equipment for reducing exposure to loud noise. The provision of control measures in workplaces was affected by manufacture, occupation and workplace size. But, with a few exceptions, in full general, industries and occupations with high odds of exposure to loud noise likewise seemed to have high odds of providing control measures...On the other hand, smaller workplaces—workplaces of a range of sizes but with fewer than 200 workers—were less likely to provide comprehensive noise command measures.[42]

2.43 Rubber Work Australia told the commission nearly the Getting Heard written report, which has been funded by DOHA, and which is due to be launched during Hearing Week in August 2010. Mr Wayne Creaser of Safe Work Australia explained that the Getting Heard projection:

...is intended to expect at what impacts on the constructive prevention of hazardous occupational noise and what the attitudinal and institutional barriers are to effective control measures beingness put in place.[43]

2.44 Access Economics reported that there is no nationally coordinated ONIHL prevention campaign.[44] This issue is examined in particular in affiliate seven of this written report.

ii.45 ASOHNS argued the need for reform of dissonance regulations to implement an evidence-based standard that tin can be shown to be effective in preventing or minimising ONIHL. ASOHNS added that electric current regulations practice not provide for overarching guidance, supervision, education or the provision of data for employees and employers. The ASOHNS recommended that government should implement policy regarding occupational noise induced hearing loss that provides:

bear witness-based guidance and education to employers and employees with regard to ONIHL; and
a nationally agreed benchmark method for assessing occupational hearing loss.[45]

ii.46 In relation to the comments by ASOHNS concerning enquiry, the commission notes that DOHA was unable to source information linking a reduction in the incidence of piece of work related noise induced hearing loss to prevention activities.[46]

Acoustic stupor and audio-visual trauma

2.47 Ii further sources of preventable hearing loss, unremarkably associated with the workplace, are acoustic shock and audio-visual trauma.

2.48 Audio-visual shock describes the physiological and psychological symptoms that tin be experienced following an unexpected flare-up of loud noise through a telephone headset or handset, and which most often occurs in call centres.[47]

2.49 Audio-visual trauma refers to the physiological and psychological symptoms that tin be experienced following exposure to very loud noises for a curt period of time such as a bomb explosion, localised alarm systems, or arms burn down. Some incidents of both acoustic daze and acoustic trauma may effect in temporary hearing loss, however enquiry is not currently bachelor to determine the contribution to permanent hearing loss.[48]

2.50 Of further interest for enquiry into the long-term effects of acoustic stupor is the occurrence of tinnitus and a possible relationship with the onset of Meniere's disease.[49]

Recreational hearing loss (RHL)

2.51 Hearing loss due to recreational activities was seen as a real and increasing issue. Concerns were voiced about the lack of regulatory controls on noise exposures for audiences at music and vehicle racing events, patrons in restaurants and bars and for the use of personal music players. Witnesses also commented on increased use of personal music players such equally iPods. Personal music players are a growing source of business concern for hearing health, with Apple tree indicating that there are 28 million iPods in use worldwide.[l]

2.52 Self Help for Difficult of Hearing people Australia (SHHH) argued that recreational hearing damage is now at 'epidemic' levels through the use of personal music players and commented 'We don't capeesh it yet, but researchers know that young people are losing their hearing at a charge per unit never before experienced'.[51] Mr Daniel Lalor went further, stating that personal music players 'will be the cigarettes and asbestos of Generation Y'.[52]

2.53 The Academy of Melbourne Audiology and Speech Sciences commented:

It is clear that recreational racket exposure reaches levels that are known to be dangerous. It is not well-established how much this recreational exposure is contributing to significant hearing loss in later life and the burden of disease and economic costs. Other recreational activities such as shooting, motor sport and the employ of power tools may likewise exist contributing to the levels of hearing loss in the community.[53]

2.54 At that place were differing views concerning recreational exposure to noise on hearing loss. Access Economics stated that there is no epidemiological data that systematically examines RHL. While studies have shown short term or pocket-sized hearing impairment resulting from personal music players and music exposure generally, there are no studies available that document exposure outcomes that issue in permanent measurable and meaning hearing loss. Access Economic science went on to country that researchers have not reached consensus on the contribution of RHL makes to the overall prevalence of hearing loss.[54]

two.55 Dr Warwick Williams has institute that recreational noise tin be loud plenty to crusade damage if the length of noise exposure is long enough. Dr Williams argued that dangerous recreational noise exposure occurs at a detail stage of life (i.e. amongst young people), and there is no bear witness that people are exposed for long plenty periods to do damage.[55]

2.56 The Deaf Gild of Victoria commented that past research had non been able to draw a conclusive link betwixt personal music players and hearing loss, but noted a recent (2009) study which suggested there was a link.[56] The Society besides commented that, in its feel, more adolescents and young people are exhibiting signs of hearing damage:

...already increasing numbers of adolescents and young adults are showing symptoms related to the early stages of noise-related deafness, such as distortion, tinnitus, hyperacusis, and threshold shifts...This evolution has also been evidenced in contempo hearing screenings undertaken by Vicdeaf.[57]

two.57 Other witnesses provided similar testify arising from their straight contact with young people. Mr John Gimpel of the Hearing Manufacture Association commented that the experience of people undertaking hearing testing indicated that:

...the prevalence of high-finish loss in people in their late 20s is really starting to come up through, and these people have had absolutely no exposure to any racket in the workplace—all they take ever had is the doof-doof in their ears.[58]

2.58 Mrs Noeleen Bieske of the Deafness Foundation commented:

The seal of the iPod is and so tight in the ear that it is just giving that full smash going into the hearing mechanism. These young people are not aware. I take calls from people saying, 'I've got this shocking ringing in my ears.' When I say, 'What accept you been doing?' they say, 'I've been wearing my iPod for a minimum of three to four hours a day, I play in a band, I don't clothing musician plugs and I besides work in a bar in a pub.' These kids are 30 maybe or in their tardily 20s and they are saying, 'Now I can't hear properly. What am I going to exercise?'.[59]

ii.59 Other witnesses pointed to developments overseas. In 2008, the European Union Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks on Personal Music Players and Hearing published a report which warned that listening to personal music players at a loftier book over a sustained period can pb to permanent hearing damage. Information technology was reported that v to 10 per cent of listeners run a risk permanent hearing loss. These are people typically listening to music for over one hour a solar day at high volume control settings. Information technology estimated that upward to 10 meg people in the European Union may be at risk.

2.60 In September 2009, the European Commission sought to constitute new technical condom standards that would ready default settings of players at a condom level and allow consumers to override these only afterward receiving clear warnings so they know the risks they are taking. Dr Burgess indicated that the Product Safety Section of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been alerted to these developments, and that they accept established a project to look at these problems.[lx]

2.61 In France the noise level of personal music players has been limited to 95dB.[61] In Switzerland, limits on audition exposure at venues with amplified music accept been set with a 93 dB(A) limit for events for under 16 year olds and a 100 dB(A) limit for other events plus a requirement to inform and supply free hearing protectors when over 93 dB(A).[62]

Causes and prevalence of deafblindness

2.62 The committee heard evidence almost the detail challenges faced by Australians who are deaf and blind (deafblind). The Australian DeafBlind Quango stated that there are some 300,000 people in Australia who are deafblind (if people with a mild hearing loss are included). Of these 7,000 to 9,000 are under 65 and 281,000 (or 93.7 per cent) are 65 years of historic period and over.[63] The Senses Foundation provided evidence that in Western Australia (WA) 63 per cent of deafblind people were male person.

2.63 The causes of built deafblindness include infections such every bit Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS), chromosomal abnormalities, genetic disorders and premature nativity.

2.64 Senses Foundation indicated that the incidence of deafblindness arising from CRS is relatively rare due to the introduction of widespread vaccination confronting rubella. In Australia there were no reported cases of CRS between 1997 and 2002. However, Senses noted that concerns have been expressed near the maintenance of the level of immunisation required to stop the spread of rubella. In particular, the lower immunisation levels in Ethnic communities may non provide adequate immunity.[64]

2.65 There are a number of chromosomal conditions and syndromes which may pb to deafblindness. The incidence of two, Conductor'due south syndrome and CHARGE syndrome, accept increased in recent years. Conductor's syndrome is the well-nigh mutual affliction associated with hearing loss and centre disorders.

2.66 Deafblindness is also associated with prematurity and Foetal Booze Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The evidence indicates that in that location appears to be a strong relationship between poverty and the incidence of FASD.

ii.67 Acquired deafblindness may exist from illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis and brain tumours, and trauma such every bit head injures and ageing.

2.68 The Australian DeafBlind Council stated that there is a lack of 'accordingly qualified interpreters' to assist deafblind people to access health services and community support, and that this causes distress for those most afflicted.[65]

Committee comment

2.69 The evidence provided to the committee clearly indicates that hearing impairment is a major event in Commonwealth of australia, with one in 6 Australians suffering from some degree of hearing loss. While much of the expected increase in hearing impairment over the coming decades is due to the ageing of the population, a significant proportion of hearing loss is due to racket damage which is preventable.

ii.70 Governments accept recognised the dangers that workplaces can pose to hearing, and accept legislated to enforce safety measures, and implemented prevention strategies. Nevertheless, analysis of workers' compensation data indicate that working in many industry sectors still poses a chance to hearing health. Evidence was received that the workers' compensation data may non be revealing the full extent of ONIHL.

2.71 Bear witness also indicates that recreational activities may be an increasing cause of hearing impairment. Whilst the scientific proof is still ambiguous, the committee believes that there may exist some connection betwixt hearing loss and the extensive apply of personal music players. The committee notes the show of hearing services which have observed emerging patterns of the detrimental impacts of recreational dissonance among young people.

2.72 The committee also notes that overseas there accept been moves to limit noise levels on personal music players as well equally limiting audition exposure at music venues. The committee considers that the problem of recreational hearing loss should be targeted in ii means: awareness campaigns directed a immature people (see chapter 7 for recommendations); and introducing limits to exposure to recreational noise.

two.73 The commission heard that the ACCC is already investigating the hereafter application of noise limitations for personal music players sold in Australia.

2.74 Whilst their back up needs are often acute, the particular issues facing deafblind people in Commonwealth of australia broadly reflect the issues facing all people with a hearing damage, namely: admission to services and support; forecast increased prevalance; and the demand for greater understanding most causes of deafblindness. The committee offers its encouragement to the Australian Deafblind Council in their efforts to stand for and abet for deafblind people. The commission has fabricated recommendations at capacity five and six which, if implemented, will benefit deafblind people.

Recommendation 1

2.75 The commission recommends that the Department of Health and Ageing piece of work with the appropriate agencies and government to devise recreational racket safe regulations for entertainment venues. Specifically, where music is expected to be louder than a recommended safety level, that the venues be required to:

(a) mail prominent notices warning patrons that the dissonance level at that venue may exist loud plenty to cause hearing damage; and

(b) make ear plugs freely available to all patrons.

Navigation: Previous Page | Contents | Side by side Page

Source: https://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/senate/community_affairs/completed_inquiries/2008-10/hearing_health/report/c02

Posted by: wellsimeting82.blogspot.com