Why Hearing Awareness Week is so important for all Australians
Did you know hearing loss affects one in six Australians – from newborn babies to the elderly?
The prevalence of hearing loss rises from 1% for people aged younger than 15 years to three in every four people aged over 70 years.
The number of Australians who are hearing impaired is increasing because of long-term exposure to excessive noise in the workplace, the environment and a result of an ageing population. Hearing loss is projected to increase to 1 in every 4 Australians by 2050.
It’s not always easy to know if someone has a hearing loss. Hearing loss can range from mild to profound. If it occurs later in life, feelings of grief and loss are very real for some.
Everyday communication with friends and loved ones can be difficult. People in our community often become isolated.
Hearing loss can have a profound effect on the lives of those affected
The 2006 Access Economics report Listen Hear! outlined a list of consequences including:
- A financial cost to the whole economy of $11.75 billion or 1.4% of GDP
- Loss of well-being (the disease burden) associated with hearing loss costs a further $11.3 billion
- A significant loss in individual earnings due to hearing loss
- A higher level of unemployment among people with hearing loss
According to Gary Rayment, Hearing Care Professional at Smart Hearing Solutions in St Agnes:
“Hearing loss is often described as the ‘invisible disability’. Those affected are often isolated through lack of access to communications.”
“We need Australians to understand the various degrees of hearing loss and ear and balance disorders and how to communicate effectively with people who are hard of hearing,” said Gary.
After more than 30 years working in various roles in hearing care, Gary and his family have recently opened their new hearing care clinic in St Agnes.
“We’re a family-owned provider of quality hearing care for our local community”, Gary explains. “We’re government accredited to provide pensioners and veterans with free or subsidised hearing aids and support. For self-funded retirees, we can also guarantee excellent care and affordable hearing solutions.”
“We offer people the freedom to choose from a wide range of leading hearing instruments should they need support.”
National Hearing Awareness Week helps to raise public awareness of this common health condition
National Hearing Awareness Week is organised every year by Australian advocacy group Deafness Forum of Australia. It runs from Sunday August 20 to Saturday August 26 2017.
The team at Smart Hearing Solutions are keen to support the local community by setting-up a stand in St Agnes Shopping Mall for three days from Monday August 21.
“We hope to give people the opportunity to ask questions and to arrange a free hearing check”, said Gary. “Otherwise, we’re always available at the clinic to advise and support people who are concerned about their hearing or the hearing of a loved one”.
The Smart Hearing Solutions clinic is at 1240 North East Road (Unit 4 Benbowie Street), St Agnes SA 5097 – located opposite St Agnes Shopping Centre. To make an enquiry or book a free hearing check call 1300 017 732 or book online.