farmdoc's blog post number 493

Since 1999 Sweetheart Vivienne and I’ve had a self-managed superannuation fund that holds only ethical investments (or as they’re called nowadays, socially responsible investments). We feel that regardless of our fund’s investment returns, we’re helping – or at least not harming – our planet. One of our investments is the Australian ‘bionic ear’ company Cochlear. Which brings me to Hearing Awareness Week – an annual, national event that raises community awareness about hearing loss prevention, diagnosis and treatment. HAW 2009 runs from 23 to 29 August, and its theme is ‘At Home, At Work, At Play - One in Six’ which is a reminder that 3.55 million Australians – one in six – suffer from some form of hearing loss. Deafness is still one of the most common disabilities worldwide; and Australia’s not spared (though thankfully my family is). During HAW 2009 there are events in cities and towns across Australia, enabling people to find out how well their hearing is, and to receive advice. Here is a link to some information sheets. Cochlear’s a sponsor of HAW 2009. I’m delighted to be playing a part, albeit a tiny one, in helping deaf people to hear.