MenieresNSW.org.au
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MENIERE'S:

Meniere's Australia (& Meniere's Support Group of Victoria) www.menieres.org.au/ This important website is run by the Meniere's Resource and Information Centre, which is the office of both Meniere's Australia (the national organisation) and the Meniere's Support Group of Victoria. The website has information for those wishing to join a support group, for current members, and for anyone interested in Meniere's. Publications and other resources are available for purchase.

Meniere’s Email Chat Group: This is an informal “chatty” email discussion group where people with Meniere’s give support to each other, and exchange information. There is no fee. Most subscribers are members of Meniere’s support groups in Australia. To join the group, send a blank email to: menieres-subscribe@topica.com

Australian Psychological Society (APS) www.psychology.org.au/ It is generally acknowledged that Meniere's causes stress and anxiety. Some people with Meniere's may wish to consult a psychologist about these issues. To find a psychologist in your local area, you can use the search facility on the APS website – just click on the “Find a Psychologist” button on the home page.

Hearwell www.hearwell.co.nz/ Hearwell is the website of Hearing Association Wellington, NZ. The website has an Internet Forum, where you can put a question about Meniere’s, Tinnitus, Assistive Devices, Hearing Aids, or Hearing Protection. There are also information pages on Meniere’s and Tinnitus.

Meniere's Society (UK) www.menieres.co.uk/ This site contains useful information on Meniere's Disease, including an entire book on Vertigo and Dizziness, which can be downloaded for later reading or printing.

Meniere’s Org http://menieres.org US site. Support for those who have Meniere's. Includes Mailing List, Message Board, Chat Room. "Our primary goal is to provide a warm home on the web for you to lean a shoulder on, share your tips, experiences, and tears with other sufferers. Like we say, you're not alone, especially not here."

Health Insite www.healthinsite.gov.au/ The Meniere's Support Group helped to arrange for this Commonwealth Government health website to include an article on Meniere's Disease by Professor Bill Gibson. It is a very authoritative website for a wide range of health & medical matters.

Dr Alec N Salt - Washington University http://oto.wustl.edu/men/ A website managed by Dr Alec N Salt, Department Otolaryngology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, USA. Contains information on ear anatomy, and on causes, symptoms, & treatments (surgical and non-surgical) of Meniere's Disease. The site also has a list of frequently asked questions (FAQ), a list of research programs, and help with a low salt diet. Daniel Brown PhD, the research fellow sponsored by our Meniere's Research Fund, worked with Dr Salt for two years before returning to Australia.

Dr. Timothy C. Hain www.dizziness-and-balance.com/ Dr. Hain’s US site has excellent, comprehensive information and diagrams on all aspects of dizziness, including Meniere's Disease.

Vestibular Disorders Association (VEDA) www.vestibular.org/ US site. VEDA is a non-profit organization that exists to provide information and support to people suffering from inner-ear balance disorders. VEDA provides diagnosis and treatment information, connects people with vestibular disorders to health care specialists, and elevates public awareness about vestibular disorders to promote understanding, access to diagnosis and treatment, research, and help.

Meniett www.meniett.com/ US site about the Meniett device – the site also has other information on Meniere's. The Meniett ® may be prescribed by an Australian ENT specialist to relieve vertigo in Meniere's, by the application of carefully calibrated pressure pulses to the ear. It requires the approval of your ENT specialist and the insertion of a grommet, or ventilation tube, in the eardrum of the affected ear.

Enttex P100 www.enttex.com/ The portable, low-cost, Enttex P100 ® applies small positive pressure pulses to the ear. The device can be purchased through the Enttex website but you should first discuss this with your ENT specialist, who needs to insert a grommet in your eardrum.

Dr Zoran Becvarovski www.ent.com.au/ Dr. Becvarovski, who has an ENT practice in the south of Sydney, has been trialling a mechanical method for relieving Meniere's. This is the method of mastoid oscillation, which involves applying a vibration externally behind the affected ear. The theory is that the vibration dislodges small pieces of debris blocking drainage of endolymphatic ducts.

CONTROLLING SALT INTAKE:

Salt Matters www.saltmatters.org/ Dr. Trevor Beard’s website gives lots of information on how to achieve good salt control, which is recognised by medical authorities as being an important part of managing Meniere's. Good salt control helps to reduce the number and intensity of vertigo attacks. Dr. Beard's website has information on how to order his book “Salt Matters – the killer condiment”

Saltmatters Email Discussion Group: This is a discussion list (started by Dr. Trevor Beard) for people who wish to control their salt intake. There is no fee and no advertising. This list has been a great success and is highly informative. To join the group, send a blank email to: saltmatters-subscribe@ozdocit.org

The SMANZ Low Salt "Prescription" www.smanz.info/ The Salt Matters – Australia & New Zealand group (SMANZ) has put on the web a free, helpful, 30-page document on how to follow a low-salt diet. The document is in PDF format and can be downloaded to your computer and printed with your desktop printer.

Low sodium diet: Products in Australia www.findlowsaltfood.info/ This is an excellent site for the low salt food shopper as it has photos of low salt and reduced salt products, which is a help when searching for them in the supermarket. Lots of good tips for keeping dietary salt levels down.

Maleny Cuisine www.malenycuisine.com.au/ Maleny Cuisine sauces, salad dressings, and chutneys are 'No Added Salt' (and very low sodium) - they are also gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, low-fat and free of artificial preservatives. Their website has a very simple form that enables you to find your nearest stockist.

Australian Online Groceries www.onlyoz.com.au/ Support Australian companies. Click on >Low Salt for a list of low salt groceries that you can order online.

HEARING LOSS:

Office of Hearing Services www.health.gov.au/ Eligible people can obtain free hearing services (including hearing aids) by applying to the Office of Hearing Services for a Hearing Services Voucher. To find the right webpage on the main site, start on the home page (see link above) then click on "For Consumers", then on "Services", then on "Hearing Services"

The Audiological Society of Australia Inc. (ASA) www.audiology.asn.au/ Audiologists specialise in the assessment, prevention and (non-medical) management of hearing impairment and associated disorders of communication. Audiologists are University Graduates who have extensive specialist training at post-graduate level. The ASA website has a directory of Audiologists working in either the Public Health system or in private practice. Hearing assessments and hearing aid prescriptions & fitting for Meniere's clients are best carried out by qualified Audiologists.

Healthy Hearing & Balance Care www.healthyhearing.com.au/ Audiologist Celene McNeill has extensive experience with Meniere’s clients and she has researched “self-programmable” hearing aids for fluctuating hearing loss. Her website contains information on Meniere’s, hearing loss, tinnitus and hearing protection.

Better Hearing Australia (BHA) www.betterhearingaustralia.org.au/ Better Hearing Australia is a non-profit, self-help organisation that provides an Australia-wide community support service of rehabilitation and help for Australia's hearing impaired. There are branches in all states of Australia.

Self Help for Hard of Hearing People www.shhhaust.org/ This website is for members of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) and for the wider community of those have an interest in hearing impairment. It tells you what SHHH is about, and has lots of news and information on hearing impairment issues. There are many links to other relevant websites and much more besides.

Deaf Society of NSW www.deafsocietynsw.org.au/ The Deaf Society of NSW provides a range of services to Deaf people who use Auslan (Australian Sign Language).

Deafness Council www.deafnesscouncilofnsw.org.au/ This is a state level voluntary body, working with specialist voluntary organizations involved in helping those with disorders of the ear and balance organs.

Deafness Forum www.deafnessforum.org.au/ Deafness Forum is the peak body for deafness in Australia and represents all interests and viewpoints of the Deaf and hearing impaired communities of Australia.

International Federation of Hard of Hearing People www.ifhoh.org/ Authoritative information for the hearing impaired. Their website includes a number of interesting articles (click on “Index to Papers” on their home page).

ASSISTIVE DEVICES:

Word of Mouth Technology www.wom.com.au/ Word of Mouth has a wide range of assistive devices for those who are deaf, or who have a hearing impairment. You can place an order via their website, or by phone, fax, or TTY.

PrintAcall www.printacall.com.au/ Printacall supplies a wide range of assistive devices and hearing loop systems for those who are deaf, or who have a hearing impairment. They have outlets in most states of Australia. See their website for details.

TINNITUS:

Australian Tinnitus Association www.tinnitus.asn.au/ ATA is a support group for those concerned about the symptom of tinnitus (ringing in the ears). The website has information about prevention of tinnitus and treatment options.