Speaker thrown in fiery argument
A DRYSDALE woman will star in a TV campaign as research suggests almost half of adults in Victoria have hearing loss.
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Cochlear have launched a community awareness campaign to highlight the impact of hearing loss and how to treat the condition.
Geelong resident Andrea Lindsay is fronting the campaign, featuring in a social media video and TV advert that will appear over the coming weeks across Victoria.
The 78-year-old lived with hearing loss for 13 years and even carried a notebook so people could write down what they were saying.
“I was using top-of-the-range hearing aids, but they were not enough,” Dr Lindsay said. “It was only the patience and consideration of my colleagues that allowed me to finish my last work contract.
“Soon after I had had to ask people to write down their side of a conversation and the chance to do useful work was largely taken from me.”
She said her hearing deteriorated to the point she feared she would go deaf.
But after she moved to the Bellarine Peninsula and found a new audiologist in Geelong, her life changed when she was assessed for and received a cochlear implant.
Within weeks she was to hearing a few words, then whole conversations — and bird calls.
Two years later, as all hearing faded away in her other ear, she received a second implant, which made sounds even clearer.
“I’m living a full and happy life, mainly because I can hear people now,” she said. “It was like getting my life back. I could be useful again.”
Robert Briggs, head of otology and medical director of the cochlear implant clinic at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, said more people should have their hearing tested.
“If you or a family member struggle on the phone, regularly ask people to repeat themselves, or withdraw from social situations, then it might be time to talk to your GP or audiologist about ways to improve your hearing,” Professor Briggs said. A WOMAN was hit in the face by a speaker during a spat at a Geelong shopping mall.
Anthony Zagami was sentenced yesterday to a corrections order after admitting he threw the Bluetooth speaker at Corio Central shopping centre.
The Geelong Magistrates’ Court heard the incident on November 14 last year came after an argument between Zagami and two females known to him.
Prosecutor Senior Constable Victoria McPhee said the women were leaving the Woolworths supermarket about 12.30pm when he approached and abused them.
As a heated argument ensued, one of the women put her arms up before Zagami swiped them away.
The 24-year-old then threw a speaker, which hit the woman in her right cheek.
Sen-Constable McPhee told the court the victim was left crying and in pain while he walked from the scene.
The Corio man was questioned about the incident two days later.
Lawyer Shane Balkin said that his client — who has an intellectual disability — was aiming for a wall when he threw the speaker out of frustration.
“He lost his temper on this day,” Mr Balkin said. “Obviously it was somewhat dangerous to do that (throw the speaker).”
Zagami pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury and behaving in a riotous manner.
Magistrate Ann McGarvie warned him he needed to better control his emotions as she sentenced him to a fresh 12month corrections order.
“It’s important that when you have an argument with someone — and we all do — you don’t react badly,” Ms McGarvie said. “You walk away.”
He must undergo counselling for anger management, along with assessment and treatment for drug abuse.