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Visiting, Eminent, Hearing Care Professor hosts an open question and answer forum for the public on the ‘Ringing Ear’, Stress Related, Symptomatic Disorder at key universities nationally.
Professor Robert Sweetow will be visiting SA from the 19th -29th October 2010.
He was invited to present several papers at the Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeons and Audiology Professions’ Annual General Conference which will be held from the 24th to the 27th October at the Champagne Sports Resort in Drakensburg.
Professor Sweetow holds the Otolaryngology seat at the University of California, directs the Department of Audiology, has a special interest in and is a world renowned authority on tinnitus.
The tinnitus condition, characterised by a persistent ringing sound in the ears, is largely uncharted medical territory, due to the absence of objective testing standards and there is no known cure for the condition.
It is contended that the condition may have a relationship to stress levels, be a side effect to some medications, ear infections, foreign objects or wax in the ear, nose allergies that prevent fluid drain and hearing loss.
The condition which is not a disease but a symptom is often left undiagnosed although rehabilitative steps are available and under review.
The condition is often rated clinically on a simple scale from "slight" to "catastrophic" according to the practical difficulties it imposes, such as interference with sleep, quiet activities, and normal daily activities.
Worldwide trend data show that up to one in five 55 to 65 year olds report symptoms in general health surveys and up to 11.8% in more detailed tinnitus specific questionnaires.
Professor Sweetow has already made his counsel available to South Africans via the Media 24, Health 24 Hearing Care forum, http://www.health24.com/experts/Tinnitus_Expert/979-4656.asp, since the 30th August 2010.
For the first time in South Africa, an online medical forum will go live and move into real time and real space and into an institutional environment.
Professor Sweetow, the Department of Audiology and Speech Therapy (UCT, Wits and UKZN), with the support of Widex SA - will host a forum for members of the public who may have questions or who may feel anxious about disruptive sounds in their ears.
The opening forum will be held on 20th of October 2010 at Witwatersrand University.
The forum is sponsored by Widex SA, who also sponsors the interactive Hearing Care Centre on Health 24: Hearing Care and Tinnitus Expert.
Professor Sweetow will be available for live and telephonic interviews during his visit to South Africa.
Issued by: Widex South Africa, 21 September 2010
Contact details:
Mr. PK Nagin
Managing Director
Widex SA
Share Call: 0860 326 061
E-mail: pk.nagin@widex.co.za
Tel: 087 353 6985 ext. 1318
Website: www.widex.co.za
