Let’s talk about something that might sound scary – cholesterol. But fear not, because knowledge is power, and understanding cholesterol is the first step to keeping your heart healthy and happy.

Imagine your arteries are like highways for blood to travel throughout your body, delivering oxygen and nutrients. Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in your blood, also travels along this highway. It often gets a bad rap, but it’s not all villainous. Your body actually needs cholesterol for healthy cells and even making vitamin D!

Here’s the twist: there are two main types of cholesterol – the good kind (High-Density Lipoprotein, or HDL) and the bad kind (Low-Density Lipoprotein, or LDL).

Imagine HDL as the recycling truck, picking up excess cholesterol and taking it back to the liver for disposal. LDL, on the other hand, is like a lazy delivery guy, dropping off cholesterol everywhere on the highway, which can lead to build-up and clogged arteries. This build-up, called plaque, narrows your arteries and makes it harder for blood to flow freely. Sometimes, those deposits can break suddenly and form a clot that causes a heart attack or stroke.

So, how do you know if your LDL is causing a traffic jam in your arteries? Unfortunately, high cholesterol often has no symptoms. That’s why regular check-ups and blood tests are crucial. We need to find it before it causes trouble. Cholesterol doesn’t have a conscience! It doesn’t care if you’re a fitness fanatic or a champion couch potato. It can be influenced by genetics, but there are changes we can make in our lifestyle to keep the LDL at bay.

So, how do we avoid becoming a cholesterol casualty?

• Diet: Ditch the greasy burgers and fries (sorry, gotta be honest!). Opt for a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats like those found in fish and avocado.
• Exercise: Exercise helps your body use cholesterol more efficiently. Think brisk walks, dancing to your favourite tunes, or even chasing the kids (if you have the energy!)
• Weight Management: If you’re carrying a few extra pounds, losing even a small amount can significantly improve your cholesterol levels.
• Know your numbers: Get your cholesterol checked regularly, especially if you have a family history of high cholesterol or other risk factors.

Taking these steps can help you keep your cholesterol under control and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems.

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask questions! Cholesterol doesn’t have to be a mystery. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. Together, we can create a plan to keep your heart healthy and your “highway” free and clear.

World Hearing Day, 3rd of March, is a reminder of the importance of taking care of our hearing. Millions of people worldwide experience hearing loss, impacting their daily lives. In this blog post, we meet Ray, a patient of Michelle Esparon, our in-house audiologist. Ray shares his personal journey with hearing loss and how getting hearing aids has made a positive difference for him.

Ray, before you started using hearing aids, what challenges did you face in your daily life due to hearing loss?

I was not actually fully aware I had a problem, my wife had sometimes said I wasn’t hearing things or the music was too loud. I saw my GP when I felt my left ear was blocked, and was referred to a specialist who found nothing. He suggested a hearing test. I’d never had one. Luckily for me, Michelle Esparon was at the practice and available.

What made you decide to seek help from an audiologist, and what were your initial expectations?

So I was just there, no expectations, mainly thinking I didn’t have any hearing loss.

Can you describe the process of getting fitted for hearing aids by Michelle? Was it smooth and informative?

Michelle explained the process, how she’d test me, a very clear outline of what she was about to do. It went very smoothly with Michelle explaining clearly all the steps. She discovered I did have hearing loss at the higher levels, and put in place the process for me to get aids. When they arrived Michelle took me through how to use them, how to connect via Bluetooth to my phone.

How have hearing aids impacted your daily life?

I noticed several things over the next few days. I could easily hear the higher tones while playing music for instance. However the big surprise was when I went down to collect our mail. I wondered what I was hearing, it was the rustling of leaves in a gentle wind, a wonderful sound.

What advice would you give to someone who is experiencing hearing loss but hesitant to seek help or consider hearing aids?

My advice to anyone reluctant to take the step and get assessed is simple, you will be doing yourself, your family, your friends, a very big favour. You will discover sounds that will enthrall you, you will not feel left out of conversations, you will manage the sound levels via your phone to enable you to cope with any situation. I wear mine from the moment I get up in the morning until I’m preparing for bed at night, have not missed a day over three years since getting the aids.

World Hearing Day is all about raising awareness and advocating for better hearing health. In your opinion, what are some important points people should understand about hearing loss and its impact?

If you have hearing loss, you are losing part of yourself, your being, possibly the ability to live and enjoy a full life. There is no shame whatsoever in wearing hearing aids, the ones I wear are relatively hard to see. Yes, there might be some discomfort at first when you try them, but that passes. The main, very minor issue, is my ears sometimes get a bit itchy, simple as that. Perseverance will pay off.

Can you share a funny anecdote about an experience you’ve had since using hearing aids?

I’ve found in noisy restaurants or cafes I can lower the volume to exclude the sound of banging cutlery and plates. Something I don’t do, I promise (fingers crossed), is turn the volume down so I can’t hear my wife talking to me. I don’t need to resort to that, I just tune myself out as usual, not the hearing aids.

Ray’s story is an inspiring example of how overcoming hearing loss can improve your quality of life. If you suspect you or someone you know might be experiencing hearing loss, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment for a hearing evaluation. Early detection and intervention are key to managing hearing loss and living a full and connected life. Contact Atticus Audiology today to learn more about our comprehensive hearing services and take the first step towards better hearing.

Close your eyes for a moment. What do you hear?

Now, imagine the world without the familiar lilt of a loved one’s voice, or the vibrant energy of your favourite song, or the myriad sounds of nature.

For an alarming number of Australians, this isn’t just an imagined scenario, but a lived reality. Hearing loss, once considered an inevitable consequence of ageing, is now affecting more people at younger ages, and at a concerning rate.

In Australia alone, over 4 million individuals navigate life with hearing loss, and this number is expected to skyrocket to nearly 9 million by 2050.

This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a human story. It’s the young musician straining to hear the perfect pitch, the parent missing their child’s laughter, or the grandparent struggling to follow the conversation. It’s the isolation, the frustration and the fear that comes with a world growing quieter.

Rising exposure to recreational noise, untreated ear infections and a lack of awareness about preventative measures are all contributing to the surge in cases.

The impact of hearing loss goes far beyond missed conversations or muffled music. It affects our social connections, mental wellbeing and even physical health.

Atticus Audiologist, Michelle Esparon, notes, “Untreated hearing loss is linked to increased risk of dementia, depression and falls. It’s a domino effect that begins with subtle hearing loss.”

The good news is that 60% of hearing loss in children is preventable through public health initiatives. For those already experiencing hearing loss, there are a wealth of resources and support available.

Hearing aids, assistive listening devices and rehabilitation programs can significantly improve quality of life. Organisations like Hear For You and the National Acoustic Laboratories offer support, information and advocacy.

Remember, hearing loss is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. It’s a treatable condition, and early intervention is key.