Hearing Awareness week Australia, is held to raise awareness on how to prevent deafness, hearing loss and promote ear and hearing care across the country. It coincides with World Hearing Day which is held on 3 March each year.
Hearing Matters
– One in 6 Australians suffer from hearing loss. This can be due to a condition or injury, dangerously loud noise exposure and some people may be born with a loss. Most commonly hearing loss happens with age and affecting 70% of people over the age of 70.
– 500,000 hearing aids are purchased in Australia each year. However only one in 5 Australians who could benefit from a hearing device actually use one!
How to check if you have a hearing problem
– If you think you or your child may have a hearing problem then vist your GP for a ear check. Your GP can look in your ear for any obvious signs such as earwax.
– Your GP may refer you to an audiologist or an ENT for further tests.
– Hearing tests are routinely carried out on newborn babies to try and identify any initial hearing problems. These are most commonly carried out during the first few days after birth at the hospital.
– Eligible pensioners are also entitled to a hearing test on the governments voucher system every 3 years. To check your elibility contact your local hearing clinic.
Don’t let a hearing loss limit you
– Anyone suffering a hearing loss would benefit from hearing rehabilitation. This could include hearing aids, auditory or speech rehabilitation, sign language and communication, assistive technologies and services.
-As a result of the above this could lead to, increased access to education, greater employability and earnings, lower costs related to depression and cognitive decline and an integrated society.
Waurn Ponds Hearing Clinic are Hearing Health Specialists and carriy out ear health appointments, wax removal, hearing test for adults and children over 3 years of age, employment tests, tinnitus counselling as well as pensioner tests, workcover test. We also provide most brands of Hearing devices and assistive listening devices. For further information please contact the clinic on 03 5245 7940.
