Lions Hearing Clinic brand advocate, former Australian Test cricketer, Mr Justin Langer, has opened up about his battle with tinnitus and vertigo, explaining a recent flare-up left him hardly able to stand.
One of Australia’s greatest cricketers and one of our most successful coaches, the former opening batsman credits the clinic with discovering and treating his hearing issues including tinnitus, vertigo and vestibular migraines.
“It’s been a hectic year for me spending time in India and England,” Langer said. “I recently completed a company director course and when I got my exam results, I felt such relief that it was all done but the next morning I had a complete physical meltdown.
“I could hardly stand up and my tinnitus and vertigo were through the roof. I was in a bad way, and it was my body telling me if you don’t slow down, I will slow you down.”
Langer said he sought help and it all came down to stress. “Whenever I am run down, stressed or have any sort of illness it goes to the weak spot in my body, which is my left ear,” he added.
“With some good advice and treatment, I was good to go, and my message is that everything is treatable if you go get help. I happen to be in the public eye but no matter who you are, struggling with things like vertigo and tinnitus can be debilitating.”
Langer said he hoped his advocacy encouraged everyone to get their hearing checked and strive for early intervention when it came to hearing related issues like his own which recently flared up, leaving him in a bad way.
Lions Hearing Clinic expands to Sydney
Langer is backing the Lions Hearing Clinic expansion into NSW with four new clinics in Sydney.
Ear Science Institute Australia (Ear Science) operates 16 Lions Hearing Clinics in Western Australia and has now expanded to four clinics in Chatswood, Neutral Bay, Bondi and Sydney CBD.
The only clinic network in Australia owned and operated by an ear and hearing medical research institute, all proceeds from the clinic’s solutions go to Ear Science to fund world-renowned research into ear and hearing disorders.
Ear Science CEO Adjunct Associate Professor Sandra Bellekom said: “The expansion of Lions Hearing Clinic into NSW is about improving access to excellent hearing care and outcomes across Australia and ensuring that Australians receive the right advice and solutions for their hearing challenges.
“We have strong connections in research and with ENT surgeons in NSW and our research showed that there was demand for excellent evidence-based hearing care in NSW that was commission-free and of the highest standard.
“Once you have had a hearing assessment, we work with you on your hearing journey whether that’s referring for surgery, treatment or a hearing aid. Every new client is another chance for us to work towards hopefully finding a cure for hearing loss.”
A/Prof Bellekom said recognising the signs of hearing loss were vital and research showed that early intervention could significantly contribute to better hearing outcomes.
Lions Hearing Clinic said people should look out for these signs:
- Difficulty distinguishing what people are saying, despite being able to hear them
- Feeling fatigued after social interactions in a noisy environment
- Withdrawing from social situations
- Having trouble hearing what people are saying over the phone
- Asking people to repeat themselves.
Plea to public to get hearing checked
Langer urged people to take the first step and ask for help if they suspected any hearing problems.
“It is not a weakness to ask for help, that needs to be step one,” he said. “Hearing specialists with scientifically backed research and knowledge like Lions Hearing Clinic can point you in the right direction and get you the help you need to live a healthy and fulfilling life again.
“Too often it’s something we leave until more permanent damage is done so please get your hearing checked.”
A standard hearing test took 75 to 90 minutes and could be life-changing, A/Prof Bellekom said.
Services available at Lions Hearing Clinic include hearing assessments, tinnitus assessment and management, hearing aid fittings and ear wax micro-suction.
