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Most common causes of presbycusis are noise and age
In adults, the most common causes of hearing loss are
noise and age.
This was the message at the Pattaya City Expats Club
meeting on Sunday, October 20. The speaker Dr. Mukda Pattana-anek, PhD,
appearing on behalf of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya (BHP), began her talk by
noting that she previously had spoken to the Club about hearing loss, but
would concentrate her talk this time on age-related hearing loss known as
presbycusis. Dr. Mukda is an experienced Audiologist working with BHP.
PCEC’s speaker for October 20th was
Dr. Mukda Pattana-anek, PhD, appearing on behalf of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya
(BHP).
She is presently the Executive Manager with DMED
Hearing Center Co, Ltd., which has offices in various Thailand cities
including Pattaya.
She mentioned that deterioration in hearing due to aging can start quite
early - as early as 18 years of age - but it usually is not noticeable until
much later. Men are more affected than women. She displayed a diagram of the
ear and briefly described the functions of the Outer ear, Middle ear, Inner
ear, Eustachian tube, Ear drum, and the Cochlea in communicating sound to
the brain.
“Presbycusis” is the cumulative effect of aging on one’s hearing, she said.
The hearing loss is most marked at higher frequencies and both ears tend to
be affected. She explained that presbycusis should not be confused with
other causes of hearing loss besides noise, such as ear wax build up, an
infected ear drum (also known as “fluid on the ear”), and blockage of the
Eustachian tube. Also, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and
circulatory problems can aggravate presbycusis.
PCEC members and guests listen
to Dr Mukda’s interesting presentation detailing the problems people can
encounter with their hearing as they age, and the treatments and devices
available overcome them.
According to Dr. Mukda, over time, those with presbycusis
find the detection of high-pitched sounds becomes more difficult, and speech
perception is affected, particularly of sibilants (e.g. hissing-like sounds
in words and syllables starting with S and Z) and fricatives (e.g. “th”
sounds and some words and syllables that start with F or V). Symptoms of
presbycusis include: (a) hearing mumbles instead of distinct words; (b)
having difficulty picking up conversations, especially when there is
background noise; (c) finding certain sounds annoying; and (d) ringing in
one or both ears (Tinnitus).
If you experience any of these symptoms, she said that you should get a
hearing test to determine the extent of any hearing loss. Further, the test
will show whether a hearing aid may be of help in overcoming the loss. She
presented various audiologist diagrams and described how the chart shows the
extent of hearing loss in each ear. She then mentioned that with today’s
technology, hearing aids can be specifically programmed to overcome the type
of hearing loss experienced. There are various brands on the market with one
of the newest being the “Dream” hearing aid made by Widex, a leading
manufacturer.
Member Alba avails herself of
the annual flu shot, arranged for Pattaya City Expats by the courteous staff
of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Widex claims that their newest hearing aid, which is
wireless, provides a fuller sound with better detail. It says that the Dream
hearing aids enables people to hear speech better in the more difficult
environments such as noisy restaurants, social gatherings, cars, places of
worship and music events. There are four models in the Dream line, with the
most expensive having the most programs. She also noted that this and the
previous Widex “Clear” series also have accessories available including a
remote control and two devices designed to use blue tooth technology to
transmit sound direct to your hearing aid(s) from your mobile phone (M-Dex)
or from your television (TV-Dex).
But, in many cases, she pointed out, the type of hearing loss may not
require the more sophisticated type of hearing aid, which can be expensive.
She mentioned that Widex also makes a hearing aid called “Menu,” because it
can be loaded with one or more features from a menu of programs. Each is
designed for specific types of hearing loss. The Menu hearing aid is
significantly less expensive, as you pay only for the program(s) you need.
For more information, you can visit DMED’s website: www. dmedhearing.com.
After the presentation, Master of Ceremonies Richard Silverberg brought
everyone up to date on upcoming events and called on Tony Heron to conduct
the always informative Open Forum, where questions are asked and answered
about expat living in Thailand, Pattaya in particular. For more information
on the Clubs activities, visit their website at www.
pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
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Hilton guest wins South Korea trip in 3rd Dine ‘n’ Fly promotion
(L to R) Gerard Walker, Director of
Operations, Hilton Pattaya, Nonglak Singkal, 4th lucky winner of Dine ‘n’ Fly
with Hilton Pattaya promotion, Phatrarika Phatraprasit, Director of Business
Development and Matthew Wren, Director of Food and Beverage, Hilton Pattaya.
A lucky Hilton Pattaya guest won a round-trip vacation to
South Korea in the Beach Road resort’s fourth Dine ‘n’ Fly drawing of 2013.
An excited Nonglak Singkal was awarded the two-day stay at the Conrad Hotel in
Seoul Oct. 22 by Hilton Operations Director Gerard Walker, Business Development
head Phatrarika Phatraprasit and Food and Beverage chief Matthew Wren. She said
South Korea was on her wish list for international travel and she was delighted
to get a stay at a luxurious hotel.
Guests who spend at least 3,000 baht the Hilton’s Edge, Flare, Shore, Drift or
Horizon restaurants and bars qualify for entries in the quarterly drawing.
Entries can also be had by ordering from room service or spending the same
amount at the Eforea spa.
Five prizes will be awarded this year, including a three-day, two-night stay at
resorts in Singapore, the Chinese cities of Beijing and Shanghai, and Seoul,
South Korea. The grand prize is a party for 50 at the rooftop Horizon bar worth
100,000 baht.
The next drawing will be in December.
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Father Ray Foundation wraps 10th
anniversary commemoration of founder’s death Nov. 30 at Central Festival
(L to R) Deputy Mayor Wutisak
Rermkitkarn, along with Father Ray Foundation President Rev. Michael Picharn
Jaiseri and fundraising chief Ajjima Chaowalitthumrong meet with relevant
agencies (not shown) to prepare for Pattaya’s 10-year commemoration of Father
Ray’s passing.
Warunya Thongrod
Pattaya will join in the months-long commemoration of the death of the
foundation of the Father Ray Foundation by organizing its own ceremony Nov. 30.
Rev. Raymond Brennan died Aug. 16, 2003 and his namesake foundation has been
marking the 10-year anniversary of his passing for the past two months. Those
commemorations will wrap with the finale at Central Festival Pattaya Beach.
Pattaya Deputy Mayor Wutisak Rermkitkarn met with Father Ray Foundation
President Rev. Michael Picharn Jaiseri and fundraising chief Ajjima
Chaowalitthumrong Oct. 22 to work out final details of the commemoration.
The event will consist of a video presentation to honor Brennan, a fashion show
hosted by former Miss Thailand World, Pattaya’s Cindy Burbridge Bishop, and
fashion-apparel auction to help fund the Special Children’s Development Center.
Activities will also include performances from children under the care of the
Father Ray Foundation, an auction of children drawings and recognition of
sponsors and benefactors. The event will conclude with a drawing for 111 prizes
including 10 gold necklaces and a Nissan March.
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Mahidol University joins Green Pattaya in Wongamat Beach Clean up
Paul Rogers (wearing hat) from the Rotary Club Eastern
Seaboard instructing visiting volunteers from Argentina, Leandro Jesús Bazán and
Anita Laurita (center).
Neo LothongKum, Founder Green Pattaya
On Saturday 12 October over 45 volunteers descended on the beach at
Wongamat Soi 18 next to the Rim Talay Seafood Restaurant, which was kindly
offering use of its tables and chairs for the day.
Among the volunteers were members from Rotary Clubs in Pattaya, lecturer in
Ecology at Mahidol University Wayne Phillips and his students from Mahidol
University, Toi and children from Human Help Network Foundation Thailand,
visitors from Argentina, members from The Human Power Foundation, local Thais,
Green Pattaya and City Hall.
This clean up was different from previous ones because Green Pattaya had sought
the assistance of Mahidol University Bangkok to come and help explain the
ecological needs of a beach.
Students from Mahidol University in
Bangkok trying to find what is inside 10 SQ M of beach. The result will be
presented to Green Pattaya and City Hall.
Lecturer Wayne Phillips and his team collected, from a mapped
section of shoreline, sand samples and refuse to examine under laboratory
conditions back in Bangkok. He gave some immediate observations from his
findings: he said the sand had turned black in certain areas because ecosystems
had formed inside plastic bags and died due to lack of oxygen, This decomposing
matter was turning the sand black.
Removing any plastic bags from the sand will help keep the beach its natural
golden colour.
While cleaning the beach Gary Rasmus, aka KOTO, showed the children the
importance of picking up even the smallest plastic due to the dangers it poses
to small children and ocean life.
Green Pattaya staff provided fruit and snacks for everybody and Kingdom Property
provided the drinks.
Paul Rogers (with hat) talking to
Lecturer Wayne Phillips from Mahidol University in Bangkok regarding their
survey of the beach.
Children from the Human Help Network
Foundation Thailand came to enjoy a day out on the beach and helped with the
cleanup.
A big pile of rubbish was collected and taken away by Pattaya
City Hall, although the beach probably needs one or more cleanups. All the
cleaners went to Cheetahs bar afterwards for some well deserved hash.
At the Green Pattaya event it was decided not to print our usual flyer but
instead give the money to KOTO and his KOTO mobile; it broke down during the
last storm and so KOTO has been unable to complete his daily rounds feeding dogs
and taking care of homeless people. 3000 THB was handed over during the Green
Pattaya Cleanup on 12th October 2013 to repair the car.
Green Pattaya is an independent local campaigning organization that acts to
change attitudes and behavior, to protect and conserve the environment and
create more green areas.
If you want to get involved please contact
[email protected]
https://www.facebook .com/GreenPattaya
The next cleanup is scheduled for the second weekend in November at a place to
be announced.
Everybody together after the
cleaning; the children from the Human Help Network Foundation Thailand and Khun
Toy did a great work as always.
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Rucahue comes
to Pattaya
The Pattaya Mail Wine Tasting Team, from left, Peter
Malhotra, Som Corness, Daniel Soto, and K. Natthachai.
Dr. Iain Corness
Rucahue is another Chilean vineyard whose wines are now being imported by BNK
Pattaya Wine Gallery (K. Natthachai - tel 038 736 153) and a preview of these
wines was held at Areca Lodge.
In attendance was the export manager for the vineyard, Daniel Soto, a most
interesting man, a native of Chile, but one who had spent 27 years in Sydney,
Australia. He spoke on the history of wine making in Chile and how his
vineyard’s original vines came with the Spaniards who settled originally in
Chile. In this winery’s case this was Jose Esturillo Castano.
He confirmed that the most popular grape at present was the Pinot Noir, which
was grown in the Loncomilla Valley, with the majority from ‘old vines’ which to
this day remain disease-free.
The wines on offer that evening were predominantly reds (seven ‘Reserve’) and
three whites. Daniel Soto did indicate that while the non-reserve wines were
pleasant drinking, the ‘Reserve’ labels were better quality.
In tasting, I enjoyed the Pinot Noir Reserve, made with 100 percent Pinot Noir
grape, followed by Chardonnay Reserve, which is a limited production white.
The Rucahue wines are not available through supermarkets, but only through the
more wine savvy restaurants in Pattaya.
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The Russians are coming
The Russian reindeer dancers.
Derek Franklin
Many long term residents complain bitterly on popular internet forums of
how the Russians are taking over and ruining the image of Pattaya, and yet it
would be fair to ask if any of these complaining ex-pats have ever met anyone
from Russia. Have they ever taken the time to start up a conversation with a
Russian, eaten Russian food, listened to Russian music or know anything about
Russian culture? Well, now is your chance.
The Our World Cultural & Educational Center, based in the eastern Russian city
of Vladivostok, is hosting the second Russian Cultural Festival which will take
place at 6 o’clock on the evening of Sunday 3rd November at the Father Ray
Foundation on Sukhumvit Road.
Participants for all over Russia will be participating, including several groups
from northern Siberia, and the organizers would like to invite anyone who wishes
to attend to watch and learn, and you also do not have to be from Russia to be
involved. Performances will include ethnic traditional, contemporary and
ballroom dancing, as well as folk, pop, jazz and choral vocalists.
Local singers, dancers and artists, individuals and groups, are all invited to
participate, learn about a new culture and teach the visitors about local Thai
culture.
For more details, email Alexander at
[email protected]
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PILC looks forward to
Christmas Bazaar
It’s not long now before the Pattaya International Ladies
Club’s Christmas Bazaar, to be held on Sunday, November 17 at the Holiday Inn
Hotel Pattaya.
The Bazaar will, as usual, feature vendors from all over Thailand, many of whom
do not sell their wares in mainstream shops, thus giving buyers a chance to find
goods that are not available elsewhere.
Jennifer Volkmann from PILC has been in charge of organizing the tables this
year, and has been delighted with the response from both new and existing
vendors. “It is nice to know that sellers who have been with us previously want
to come back, as it shows we are doing something right!” She says, “And first
time vendors with different products mean that there will be something fresh for
shoppers who have been before to see.”
Around 70 stalls will be at the Bazaar, featuring clothes, jewelry, leather
goods, home wares, textiles, carpets, wine and food stuffs (jams and preserves),
and so on. As well as the commercial vendors, some of the charities supported by
PILC will also have tables. These include Ban Jing Jai Children’s Home, North
Star Library with second hand books, and many more. Weary shoppers can even get
a refreshing foot massage from the Fountain of Life Women’s Center ladies!
Entry fee is THB 150 for adults and free for children under 16. “Once we have
paid for the room, and any other expenses, all the profits will go towards our
charities,” says Helle Rantsen, President of PILC, “so we are hoping for a
really big turnout this year!”
Raffle tickets are available from PILC members. For full details of the event
times, please see the PILC website (www.pilc-pattaya. com/special-events.php).
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