Damaging our ears daily
Our ear has developed to detect even very low-level sounds. Why? It’s a natural survival tool. Think about prey animals like rabbits or deer. Their hearing is exceptional as it helps them avoid predators. Our ear has evolved in much the same way. It might not be as sensitive as a rabbit’s, but it isn’t […]
Hearing loss – how it affects us
Hearing loss is incredibly common, especially as we age. In many cases it is age-related as parts and pathways get a little worn, but in plenty of other cases it can be caused by external factors or even something we are doing to ourselves. There are lots of us with, or going to get, hearing […]
Hearing and balance – the basics
How we hear sound Sound is transmitted through the air as sound waves from the environment. The sound waves are funnelled by the outer ear down the ear canal to the eardrum. The sound waves cause the eardrum to vibrate, which sets the three connected tiny bones, ossicles, in the middle ear into motion. The […]
Teeth – the basics
What are teeth and why do we need them? Teeth play a big role in digestion. They cut and crush foods, making them easier to swallow. While they look more like bones (but can’t repair like them), teeth are actually ectodermal organs (our others include our hair, skin and sweat glands). Most adults have 32 […]
Tooth decay – here’s what happens
Some science actually lies behind the tooth decay ads Here’s how it works. The outer enamel layer of our teeth is the hardest tissue in the body. It is made of a mineral called hydroxyapatite that contains calcium and phosphate. Our saliva is mainly water but also contains calcium and phosphate. There is normally a […]
Dental costs – the elephant in the clinic
Too many of us are missing important dental help because of costs. In dental speak, the term ‘unmet needs’ means folk wandering about with holes in their teeth, missing teeth and many in some considerable pain. We have plenty of unmet dental need in New Zealand. An estimated 42%, of us, 1.5 million adult New […]
Man WOF in Te reo Māori, Samoan and Mandarin (简体中文)
AA Man WoF now in Te reo Māori, Samoan and Mandarin (简体中文) and English Our mates at the AA adapted Men’s Health Week’s useful What’s Your Score? health checklist in 2022 into the Man Wof. It featured our MHW Ambassador Scotty Morrison and was popular among the AA’s huge nationwide membership. This year they have […]
Healthy habits for a longer life
Healthy habits – Why more men need to take charge of their wellbeing As Men’s Health Week shines a spotlight on how men’s wellbeing, the Southern Cross Healthy Futures Report offers a snapshot of where men are taking action with their health – and the areas we still need to work on. Each two years […]
Men’s Sheds – laughter, sharing, talking
Hammer and chatter among great things coming from this retirement community workshop They say a man’s pride can be measured by his shed—its size, what he stores in it and what he can fix in it. Traditionally the backyard shed has been a ‘man’s space’, an informal, often haphazard, space where men can ‘escape’ […]
Sir JK’s ‘AAA battery’ for anxiety
Sir John Kirwan’s ‘AAA battery’ for anxiety Men’s Health Week asked Sir JK to share some of his advice around guys’ health, and here is his AAA tip to handle anxiety All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan is all about finding simple, easy ways to look after himself. When it comes to wellbeing, the long-time […]
