Links

Australian Sites

Tinnitus Association of Victoria Inc.

Great information on coming to terms with the experience of tinnitus.

Australian Tinnitus Association (NSW)

Allows you to listen to the sounds of tinnitus and also has a great kids’ section and education kit.

Tinnitus South Australia

Has a range of resources on tinnitus, hearing loss and vertigo. These are available to borrow. There’s an on line tinnitus survey with results that refer you to relevant information sheets.

Deafness Resources Australia (DRA)

The site featuring their full range of deafness-related products (books, videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs, technology and promotional items) with current prices.

The Deafness Forum of Australia

All the papers from the 2006 National Deafness Sector Summit are available on this web site. Lynn Polson from MA presented a paper on “The Personal Cost of Living with Meniere's”.

Better Health Channel

A Victorian Government service. It has information on a range of health issues including Meniere's, plus a Services directory. This directory can put you in touch with local health service providers throughout metropolitan and regional Victoria. Also features health news and a health events calendar. Includes some information in eight community languages.

Word of Mouth Technology

A specialist provider of equipment and services to deaf and hearing impaired people. They serve as consultants and suppliers to industries wanting to provide access for deaf and hearing impaired people. They offer a range of assistive listening devices for all sorts of situations – TV, meetings, alarms, telephone, etc.

Dr Trevor Beard's site

Promotes the ‘Salt Skip Program’— an effective strategy for improving diet, health and well-being by reducing salt intake. It includes sections on food labelling (Australia, Europe, Canada and US). You can also download and print the current issue of ‘Salt Skip News’, which includes news of the latest low salt products. The Program's book ‘Salt Matters’ is available via our online catalogue.

Join the ‘Salt Matters’ discussion group

For consumers and professionals. Click on the above link to join up and find lots of helpful information regarding a low sodium lifestyle. There are lots of people with all sorts of salt related illnesses or just living the recommended diet for all Australians - a low sodium lifestyle - and they will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.

Saltmatters -- Low salt diet issues

An excellent site for the low salt food shopper with photos of low salt and reduced-salt products available in Australia - a help when searching for them in the supermarket. Includes lots of good tips for keeping dietary salt levels down (an important management tool for Meniere's).

Only Oz

This online grocery store offers a range of Australian-made low salt products. It delivers throughout Australia. Just type "low salt" in the "what are you shopping for" search bar on the website to find low salt products.

The Australian Division of World Action on Salt and Health

This site offers comprehensive information on the issues surrounding over-consumption of salt. AWASH aims to bring about a gradual population-wide reduction in salt consumption that will reduce cardiovascular diseases and other salt-related health problems.

The Dizziness and Balance Disorders Centre

Specialises in 'Vestibular Rehabilitation' - that is exercise-based treatment of the vertigo and imbalance associated with various diseases including Meniere's. Rehabilitation services include management of falls, fear of falling and other exercise based programmes. Currently there are centres in Adelaide and Sydney.

Work Welfare Wills

A quick, easy, plain English legal guide for people who are facing lifestyle changes due to their health. It is particularly valuable for people whose ability to work is or will be affected. It provides information about alternative income streams such as disability benefits, income protection through superannuation and other sickness related benefits. The guide also has information and advice about planning future financial, medical and lifestyle decisions.

Meniere's Research Fund Inc.

The Meniere’s Research Fund Inc. works to raise money to fund research into Meniere’s disease that will find a cure and raise public awareness of Meniere’s disease.

Meniere's Email Chat Group

This is an informal "chatty" email discussion group where people with Meniere's and other vestibular disorders give support to each other and exchange information. There is no fee. Most subscribers are members of Meniere's Australia. To start the subscribing process, click on the above link and fill out the web form.

The SMANZ Low Salt "Prescription"

The Salt Matters Australia & New ealand 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.

Deafness Council

This is a state level voluntary body, working with specialist voluntary organisations involved in helping those with disorders of the ear and balance organs.

Deaf Society of NSW

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

VicDeaf

Vicdeaf is the main provider of specialised services to deaf and hard of hearing rnpeople in Victoria.rn

Self Help for Hard of Hearing People

This website is for members of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH) and for the wider community who have an interest in hearing impairment. It tells you what SHHH is about, and has lots of news and information on hearing impairment issues.

Office of Hearing Services

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 link above then click on "For Consumers", then on "Services" then on "Hearing Services".

PrintAcall

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.

Australian Psychological Society (APS)

It is generally acknowledged that Meniere's and other vestibular conditions can cause stress and anxiety. You 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.

International Sites

Meniere's Disease Information Center (US)

In my opinion one of the best sites that I have come across. Information for people with Meniere's disease, provided by people who have Meniere's themselves. Features a great number of links within articles on all aspects of Meniere's disease. They do a worldwide media watch and also have a section that teaches you to search for specific information on 'medline'.

Vestibular Disorders Association (US)

VEDA is a non-profit organisation that provides information to the public and health professionals about inner-ear balance disorders such as Meniere's disease, BPPV, and labyrinthitis. Symptoms of vestibular impairment may include dizziness, imbalance, vertigo, nausea, and fuzzy vision and may be accompanied by hearing problems, fatigue and changes in cognitive functioning. VEDA offers education and support through its books, videos, resource lists, short publications and membership services.

The Meniere's Society United Kingdom

The book Vertigo and Dizziness published in 1994, as one of the texts in the Experience of Illness series, is no longer in print. Dr Yardley and her publishers have kindly consented to make the book available on this web site (in the form of a PDF file, which you can download and print). There are chapters that include detailed discussion of the psychological links between dizziness and anxiety; the nature and causes of vertigo; what kinds of perceptual and physical problems can occur due to brain or inner ear malfunctions; and the ramifications of having a largely 'invisible' and unpredictable illness. The book also explores the social effects of having an illness that is both debilitating and only partly understood.

The Meniett Pressure Pulse Machine

This site features information about the Meniett Device - a relatively new treatment method for Meniere's. The Meniett Pressure Pulse machine generates a low-pressure pulse (of air) into the ear canal to restore the balance of the inner ear’s hydrodynamic system - much like a milking machine for cows! This treatment requires the insertion of a grommet (ventilation tube) in the ear.

Department of Otolaryngology Washington University

The Meniere's Page from The Department of Otolaryngology Washington University School of Medicine St. Louis, Missouri, USA. This is another great site maintained by Dr Alec Salt . It has many valuable links to related topics including an overview of the various treatments and therapies available in the management of Meniere's (includes drug and surgery options). This compilation is based on the published literature. “There are an extremely large number of treatments presently being used to treat Meniere's disease. This is perhaps a reflection of the fact that no single treatment is effective in all patients.” Dr Alec Salt

Sodium Content of Common Foods

This is an excellent site for people trying to maintain a low salt diet although it is American and lists some foods that may not be available in Australia. The site contains an alphabetical listing of the sodium content of many common foods. You will immediately know which foods you may need to give up, eat less of and which foods are your new best friends!

Hear-It

This site has lots of interesting information on hearing loss and hearing aids.

BC Balance And Dizziness Disorders Society (BADD)

The BC Balance and Dizziness Disorders Society, based in Vancouver Canada, provides information and support for persons with balance, dizziness and other vestibular disorders.

Hearwell (NZ)

Hearwell is the website of Hearing Association Wellington, NZ. The website has an Internet Forum, where you can chat about Meniere's, Tinnitus, Assistive Devices, Hearing Aids or Hearing Protection. There are also information pages on Meniere's and Tinnitus.

Dr Tim C Hain (US)

Dr. Hain's site has excellent, comprehensive information and diagrams on all aspects of dizziness, including Meniere's Disease.

International Federation of Hard of Hearing People

Authoritative information for hearing impaired. Their website includes a number of interesting articles and information in English and other languages.