Triton Hearing’s new ground-breaking store in the Auckland suburb of Newmarket is the first of its kind to open in the Southern Hemisphere.

Triton World of Hearing offers a completely new interactive experience when it comes to hearing checks and high-tech solutions.

E-Referrals can now be made to Triton World of Hearing using HealthLink’s CareSelect service.

Visitors to the new store use interactive screens to learn about the latest innovations in hearing technology. A team of expert audiologists is also on hand to help and offer advice.

The store, which opened in February, compliments Triton Hearing’s existing clinics around New Zealand, including its nine across Auckland.

Triton Hearing’s Audiology and Innovation Head Craig Lett says the new store offers a “surround sound experience” for people looking for solutions to hearing difficulties.

Many Kiwis are reluctant to seek help for hearing difficulties because they worry about being thought of as “old”.

“It’s very much a hidden health issue. Almost 900,000 Kiwis, or about one in six, suffer from hearing difficulties and many people put off seeking help because of the stigma associated with hearing loss,” Craig says.

 

Hearing loss can impact wellbeing

Craig says even mild cases of hearing loss can significantly affect a person’s health and wellbeing.

“People who struggle to hear can become socially isolated. They often don’t interact with others as much as they used to and, for some, this can lead to depression.”

Research shows that on average people wait seven years to seek help for hearing issues.

“Loud noise and age are the most common factors leading to hearing difficulty, but most people even in their twenties are no longer able to hear high frequency sounds.”

As well as the stigma associated with hearing loss, Craig says cost and accessibility to care are also barriers to seeking help.

“For people who worry about being seen as old, we have totally invisible hearing aid options which can connect to phones and live stream music.

“For those concerned about cost, we offer a ‘Pay as you Hear’ subscription service across all levels of technology which customers can pay in monthly instalments.”

 

How to refer to Triton World of Hearing:

• open the patient record
• select the HealthLink icon
• use the CareSelect search bar, type “Triton Hearing”
• click “Compose Referral”.

E-Referrals to Bowel Cancer New Zealand can now be made using CareSelect.

Referrals were previously sent via email, phone or Bowel Cancer New Zealand’s website.

Bowel cancer is the second highest cause of cancer death in New Zealand and kills as many people as breast and prostate cancer combined. And we have one of the highest rates of bowel cancer in the world.

Bowel Cancer New Zealand nurse support co-ordinator and registered nurse Victoria Thompson says that while these statistics are sobering, there is hope.

“Bowel cancer is treatable and beatable if it’s detected early enough,” she says.

“The more people affected by bowel cancer that we can support, the better. The new e-Referral form will make it easier for patients to be referred to us so they can get the support they need.”

 

Variety of support available

Bowel Cancer New Zealand provides support for people living with bowel cancer and those recovering from treatment, as well as their whānau.

“We offer funded support in the form of free rehabilitative physiotherapy and counselling sessions, as well as support services, resources and patient and whānau support groups.”

Victoria is also available to answer non-urgent inquiries via the website, the 0800 BCNZ NURSE phone number or email, Monday to Thursday from 10am-4pm.

 

Bowel cancer affects any age group

Victoria says bowel cancer can affect anyone at any age.

“Bowel cancer is not just something elderly people can develop. It also affects a lot of young people too. Around 30 Kiwis aged 50 or under are diagnosed with bowel cancer each month.”

She says it’s crucial that people are aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer, which may include:

• rectal bleeding
• change of bowel motions/habits that come and go over several weeks
• anaemia
• severe persistent or periodic abdominal pain
• a lump or mass in the abdomen
• tiredness and loss of weight for no obvious reason.

Bowel Cancer New Zealand’s Never Too Young campaign runs through the month of August and highlights the fact that bowel cancer affects young people too, she says.

“If a young person presents with bowel cancer symptoms, it shouldn’t be dismissed because of their age. It should be investigated further.”

 

How to refer to Bowel Cancer New Zealand:

• open the patient record
• select the HealthLink icon
• use the CareSelect search bar, type “Bowel Cancer New Zealand”
• click “Compose Referral”.