June 16, 2012 Clippings

Never ever listen to iPod in full volume!

Listening to your iPod on full volume for just six minutes may cause irreversible hearing damage, say researchers.

Edith Cowan University School of Psychology and Social Science researcher Paul Chang's new project focuses on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL), and how it can mean a lifetime of hearing damage for young people.

Chang surveyed three groups from different age ranges to get an understanding of how often they are exposed to loud noises, and whether they understand the consequences.

Key findings from the research include:

--50.6 per cent of 12 to 17-year-olds listen to music with personal ear headphones.

--87.2 per cent of people aged 18-25 reported sometimes coming home from a concert with ringing ears

--68.3 per cent of teens reported that they do not wear any form of hearing protection.

"Young people are highly social, and hearing loss is something that can have significant impact on their ability to enjoy social situations," Chang said, according to a university statement.

"By experiencing what it's actually like to live with this injury, young people can discover how socially isolating it can be, as it's often just too hard to try and engage in social situations when it's impossible to follow a conversation," Chang said.

Source: www.timesofindia.com

16.06.2012

Satyamev Jayate: Medical bodies stand up for Aamir

While the IMA has castigated Aamir Khan’s Satyamev Jayate for asking him to apologise for misrepresenting doctors, two other medical institutions the Medico Friends Circle (MFC) and the Forum for Medical Ethics Society (FMES) have thrown their weight behind the actor.

Talking to a reputed daily, Dr Abhay Shukla, member of the MFC said, “We need to listen to the central message of the show and take steps to address the issues.” The MFC and FMES have written a joint letter to the IMA urging them to re-think their stance and try to see the core issue. Tagging Aamir’s show as a “wake up call” and advising IMA not to “silence the messenger”, the MFC and the FMES believe that people from the fraternity should focus on bettering the health care system and thus earn the good will back.

The letter drafted by the two bodies read, “Instead, the IMA should try to reverse the current widespread unregulated commercialisation of healthcare in the country, and contribute to the process of health system reforms for eliminating the distortions in medical practice. This would prove to be beneficial to patients and would also raise the dignity of the medical profession.” The MFC has been in operation for long in the country and have health professionals, social activists and scientists working towards upgrading the healthcare system in the country. The FMES has doctors and other health professionals on board to campaign for reforms in the medical system.

Aamir Khan had earlier said that he had no reason to apologise and was even ready to face legal action.

Source: http://health.india.com

16.06.2012

                                                                      

When one door is closed, don't you know that many more are open

Bob Marley