Hearing Australia has launched a campaign to put hearing health on the agenda by asking people aged 55 plus the simple question, “How’s your Hearing?” Three words that could change your life.Hearing Australia is prompting people aged over 55 to make healthy hearing a habit and to take regular hearing checks. Good hearing plays a significant role in helping people stay active, happy and involved in the world around them. Researchers across the world are becoming increasingly aware of how critical being able to hear and communicate is to both the physical and mental wellbeing of a person. ¹
Recent research into the effects of hearing loss amongst over 55’s has shown a direct correlation between hearing health and happiness. Interestingly, the research also references the impacts of hearing loss on a relationship – a loss of communication and intimacy due to communication problems are noticeable effects related to declining hearing, together with disengagement in social situations. ²
According to Hearing Australia client, Graham West, “When I hear better, everything goes more smoothly in my life, including quality time with my partner Mary who prefers it when I can reply to her without asking her to repeat herself all the time!”
Feeling ‘heard’ by your partner is an important part of any relationship. Asking your partner “How’s your hearing” could be the key to so much more than their hearing health. It’s three simple words, but they could be as important as saying “I love you”.
The loss of spontaneity was listed as one of the top complaints of both the hearingimpaired participants of the study³ and their close partners who noted the difficulties of trying to share instant observations and small talk in their everyday interactions.
As we age, hearing can become more of a challenge; for those aged 50-65 years hearing loss rates range from approximately 20-40% representing approximately 1 million people. ⁴
However, some older Australians are reluctant to act. Research conducted by Hearing Australia showed that for many older people, concerns about the cost of hearing care, the treatments and wearing hearing aids, were more prominent than concerns about the implications of not treating their hearing loss. ⁵
Hearing Australia is helping to overcome these concerns by providing pensioners with, a free hearing assessment and if they need it, a free hearing aid and care for life.* For the past 20 years, Hearing Australia has helped more than a million clients on their journey to better hearing. Hearing Australia client Troy Ryan says that, “With hearing loss, you end up missing out on so much, even when you’re just having a normal conversation with your wife or kids. Do yourself and your family a favour by getting tested and getting hearing help early.”
For grandparents, one of the most important relationships, is with their grandchildren.
Daphne Terry, Hearing Australia client, has a message to share this festive season, “Don’t leave it one more day – as soon as you realise you’re not hearing as well as you did yesterday or last week, then get a hearing check and get it sorted. I missed so many sounds, particularly chatting with my kids and grandkids. My grandkids now realise when I haven’t got my hearing aids in as I don’t hear them properly. I feel like I’m not missing out on so much anymore.”
Hearing clearly again can help you reconnect and could open a whole new world – for you, your partner and family, adds Emma Scanlan, Principal Audiologist at Hearing Australia. “Particularly at this special time of the year, you can engage in conversations with loved ones as you gather around the Christmas table, you can hear your grandchildren as they play, social situations become fun again and relationship communication improves greatly. If you’d like to improve your hearing or help your loved ones connect with the world around them, asking ‘how’s your hearing?’ and
talking to a hearing care professional if you need help, are the first steps to better hearing.”
If you’re interested in booking a free** hearing check, or if you’d like to chat to the Hearing Australia team about your hearing health, call 134 432 or visit www.hearing.com.au and find a local Hearing Australia centre near you.
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