Hearing loss is often brought up as a risk factor for dementia, especially later on in life but what exactly explains that link? On this episode of Brain Waves, we dive into the changes that happen cognitively and physically due to hearing loss, and why it links to a dementia risk. We speak to neurogeneticist Dr Azlina Ahmad Annuar and neurophysiologist Dr Kumar Seluakumaran, both from Universiti Malaya.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kids today use AI for homework, research, to answer their curious questions, and increasingly, for companionship. As we hear of extreme cases of children and teenagers devoting all their free time to conversations with AI chatbots, the question arises: how safe is this for young people? And how do parents and educators help kids understand the differences between artifice and reality? Find out how to get a copy of Makchic’s book ‘The Society of Online Superheroes: A Super Smart Guide to Internet Safety’ here.

Image credit: Shutterstock

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For people with disabilities or mobility issues, the world can be difficult to navigate, especially when our urban environment lacks accessibility. But underwater, things can be drastically different for these individuals. We speak to Prof Dr Julia Patrick Engkasan, rehabilitation physician from Universiti Malaya Medical Centre and Syed Abd Rahman, Diveheart Malaysia Ambassador, to find out how diving can open up a whole new world for people with disabilities and how it can help with rehabilitation.

Image Credit: Diveheart

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recently, Keith McAllister, a 61 year-old man in the US, died after being sucked in by an MRI machine’s magnetic force. We explore the safety of using MRI machines, and why screening measures are important to ensure that objects like the chain McAllister had been wearing are removed to prevent accidents.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Budget 2026 will be tabled in October, and if the discourse around healthcare financing and medical costs are anything to go by, all eyes will be on the healthcare allocations. Amid calls to increase percentage of GDP for healthcare spending, we explore the economics of healthcare and ask: how much do we need to invest? Where should the money come from? And how does it save us increased expenditure in years to come?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Urinary incontinence may seem common among older adults, but is it a normal part of ageing? On this episode of Healthy Ageing, we speak to consultant geriatrician Dr Edward Chong to help us understand this condition among older adults and why addressing it early matters. He also specialises in continence care.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most of us would remember being called names at least once in school. While many may think this is just kids being kids, it doesn’t feel great to be called names and it can affect the child’s emotional and psychological well-being. So how can parents teach their kids to speak up but also talk to their kids who are name-calling their peers? On this episode of Mind Matters, we find out from consultant child psychiatrist, Dr Anita Codati.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autoimmune diseases don’t always arrive with a dramatic entrance. More often, they creep in with vague fatigue, nagging joint pain, or an unexplained rash — symptoms many young adults chalk up to stress, poor sleep, or just “getting older.” But what if these signs point to an undiagnosed autoimmune disease? Consultant rheumatologist Dr Anindita Santosa shares more about how AI could be combined with GP education and public awareness to speed up early detection of autoimmune diseases and reduce the burden on patients.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve talked about the unchecked vaping crisis among kids and teenagers, and the need to put an end to it. But for those who are already addicted to it, how are we helping them kick the addiction? We speak to Assoc Prof Dr Amer Siddiq bin Amer Nordin, consultant psychiatrist at University Malaya Medical Centre and Professor Chris Bullen, professor of public health at the University of Auckland.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Licensed counsellor Heeran Kaur steps into the studio for Counsellor’s Corner, to answer questions from parents about the do’s and don’ts of parenting today: tiger mom or helicopter parenting? How do we raise less-entitled children? Should parents be their kids’ friends?

Image Credit: Shutterstock

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.