Damage to hearing can occur from exposure to very loud noise for a short time or prolonged exposure to moderate noise levels and can begin immediately or gradually.

Depending on the intensity of the noise and the duration of exposure, hearing loss can range from a small shift in the threshold at which sounds at different frequencies can be detected, to total deafness.

*UPDATE* Quadrivalent Vaccine NOW AVAILABLE 

Each year the World Health Organization (WHO) puts forward its recommendations for the composition of the influenza virus for the Southern Hemisphere influenza season. This year this includes two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain.

Over the past 10 years, these three recommended strains have accounted for an average of 94% of all influenza cases reported in Australia.

For the 2016 flu season, some manufacturers have chosen to include a fourth strain – an additional influenza B strain.

Statistics show that 1 in 5 adult Australians suffer from a mental illness, often as a result of chronic stress, which ultimately impacts their work. Therefore, taking care of employee mental health not only shows good ethics, but it’s also good for business.

It’s been estimated that the annual cost to a company of an employee with untreated depression is $9,660. Amazingly, untreated depression results in over 6 million working days lost each year in Australia. That’s a lot of wasted production!

What is an Otoscopy?

An Otoscopy is a visual ear examination through the use of an otoscope. The purpose of the examination is to check for any abnormal features in the external auditory canal of the ear. The part of the ear being examined is the tunnel that leads from the outer ear (pinna) to the eardrum. The most common abnormal features that may be found through the examination include;

According to this year’s Tradie National Health Month, “Nearly a quarter of all roofers, labourers and plumbers experience back pain, muscle stress and strain from lifting equipment or slips, trips, and falls when handling materials”.

The Australian Physiotherapist Association (APA) states that there is a substantial number of tradies who suffer severe and debilitating back pain due to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD's), in which some cases are highly preventable.

Noise induced hearing loss is an irreversible condition that can have significant impacts on people’s lives.

Section 3.2.11 – Audiometric tests, of the Victorian Regulations states: “If an employer is required under regulation 3.2.4(1)(d) to provide hearing protectors to an employee, the employer must provide for audiometric testing for that employee..."

Well, did you know that a males life expectancy is nearly 5 years less than females? Or that the rate of suicide for men is 3 ½ times higher than women? Men are also more likely to be overweight than women, even though women naturally store higher levels of fat (women 25-31% body fat, males 18-24% body fat).