If we don’t take action now, over 900 million people across the globe could be affected by hearing loss by 2050 (World Health Organisation, 2018) …

…which is why, despite the ‘inclement weather’, a team from the UCL Ear Institute spent yesterday in Kings Cross Station, raising awareness on how to protect your hearing, treat hearing loss and support hearing research. To find out more about how we got on (and what exactly Nick Lesica is doing in the above photo), watch this space!

In the meantime, why not try out this quick hearing check from Action on Hearing Loss or take a look at the World Health Organisation’s tips on how to prevent and reduce the impact of hearing loss?

• Action on Hearing Loss Hearing Check
• WHO tips

I am finally back in England after the most amazing and inspiring trip I have ever had. Nepal is beyond anything I could have imagined. During my preparations, I read as much as I could but my expectations were truly exceeded. I think it was quoted in Lonely Planet that while most people will go to Nepal the first time for the mountains, they will go back for its people. Judging by all the people I met, this is very true! Warm, friendly, helpful and caring. While Nepal is one of the poorest countries, we have so much to learn from its people and lifestyle, and so much to be truly grateful for.

The team at the Green Pastures Complex are a small group who are truly inspirational. Their love for what they are all doing is evident in the running of the hospital and the satisfaction of the patients. Despite fuel and electricity shortages and the far-reaching consequences of the Earthquake last April, they are all still managing to deliver a first-class service in Ear and Hearing care. The hospital is built on INF land and has an attached farm and spinal injuries rehab unit as well as the historical Leprosy Hospital. It is a remarkable place providing much needed care to the people of Pokhara and beyond!

The Audiology team comprises Sandra, Pratiksha and Sujit. They assess and manage both children and adults, fitting hearing aids and are committed to constantly developing the service they offer. It was such a privilege spending time with them and sharing our knowledge and experiences with each other!
My bag of goodies (thanks to you all! And GN Otometrics, Sivantos, Phonak and Oticon!) arrived a day after I did…But what a delight! Pratiksha and Sandra claimed it was better than Christmas!

The time went by so fast and I am looking forward to continuing the relationship we have started via technology and future visits! I want to thank everyone on both my behalf and those I met at the Hospital in Pokhara for your support, generosity and encouragement. It was a successful trip only made possible by you all and I thank you with all my heart.

Ear Aid Nepal

Recently, teams at the EI have been working on an Audiology taster course as the final part of UCL’s Graduate Support Scheme Project. The taster course is designed to showcase the vast range of research that goes on here as well as provide a first step for anyone considering studying Audiology at any level. Best of all it’s completely free and will be entirely online, so anyone who signs up can access it from anywhere in the world!

We’ve produced several unique videos for the course that aim to break down the science in an engaging way. It’s also provided an opportunity to work with and learn from BBC/Discovery channel director Nathan Williams. We’ve had great fun observing the noise levels of central London (VERY loud), finding out what fruit flies can tell us about our own hearing, and reproducing the effects of impedance barriers using nothing but a few coiled springs (and good use of the EI Atrium).

The taster course will contain quizzes and interactive sections and anyone will be able to sign up. We’re really excited to be able to bring this to you, so stay tuned for further announcements.