Hearing loss limits communication with family, friends and colleagues and creates many barriers for hearing impaired people in life situations.
Many people find it difficult to accept they have a hearing loss. Some try to hide it and some try to ignore it but neither of these tactics work. Like other disabilities, the problem of hearing loss needs to be faced and overcome in order to achieve an acceptable life-style.
In many cases hearing problems are not confronted because hearing impaired people may be unaware of what can be done to offset and limit the difficulties that hearing loss imposes. And they are unaware of the new aids, devices and hearing rehabilitation services now available.
Understanding is the key to dealing with hearing impairment and understanding comes from knowledge. The purpose of this brochure is to spread that knowledge in the community, particularly through community structures and bring the services of Better Hearing Australia to a wider section of the community.
Better Hearing Australia complements the services of hearing aid suppliers, audiometrists, audiologists and specialists.The following list of services clearly shows the gaps that Better Hearing Australia can and does fill around
Hearing Advisory Service
Free advice available.
Referral Assistance
Better Hearing Australia often assists by referring a hearing impaired person to an appropriate organisation or to professional services.
Information sessions
These sessions cover vital subjects such as hearing aids, assistive listening devices, hearing loss management and communication tactics. Special arrangements can be made for larger groups and special interest organisations.
Hearing Loss Management Courses
Introductory and continuing programs provide hearing re-education and skills in speech reading and good communication tactics.
Assistive listening devices
Hearing Advisers can guide people with hearing loss in the use of Teletext (closed captions) TV, devices for telephone, television, radio, doorbells, smoke alarms and any other equipment that will assist to meet hearing loss problems.
Advice on hearing aids
A little knowledge can greatly increase the usefulness of a hearing aid and help to maintain the aid in good workable condition.
Hearing aids for those in need
Advice on how to obtain recycled hearing aids for people on low incomes.
Hearing Help Card
The Better Hearing Australia Hearing Help Card is carried by many Australians who present it in situations that require immediate identification of a hearing and communication problem.
Hearing Help in Hospitals
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Advocacy, lobbying
Better Hearing Australia often acts as an advocate in straightening out difficulties encountered by hearing impaired people. It continually lobbies government, councils and the community for audio loop installations in public venues and increased and improved TV captioning. Better Hearing Australia helps organise the annual Hearing Awareness Week.
Better Hearing Australia promises the best support in managing your hearing loss.
Despite being the most widespread disability in the community, hearing loss is also the most misunderstood by the many Australians who have a hearing loss. Far too many hearing impaired Australians simply do not know or take the trouble to discover the support services that are available to help them. Rehabilitation services and assistive listening devices can greatly improve quality of life and assist in managing hearing loss. Families, friends and colleagues are also often unaware of the implications and damaging effect of hearing loss.
The purpose of Hearing Loss Education is to increase awareness for all concerned. As an extension of that awareness, it is hoped to widen the scope and range of the Better Hearing Australia not-for-profit organisation and bring its services to the many more people in our community who need them.
Despite being the most widespread disability in the community, hearing loss is also the most misunderstood by the many Australians who have a hearing loss. Far too many hearing impaired Australians simply do not know or take the trouble to discover the support services that are available to help them. Rehabilitation services and assistive listening devices can greatly improve quality of life and assist in managing hearing loss. Families, friends and colleagues are also often unaware of the implications and damaging effect of hearing loss. The purpose of Hearing Loss Education is to increase awareness for all concerned. As an extension of that awareness, it is hoped to widen the scope and range of the Better Hearing Australia not-for-profit organisation and bring its services to the many more people in our community who need them.
It is a not-for-profit, self-help, organisation controlled by members and providing an Australia-wide community support service of rehabilitation and help for people with hearing loss. Better Hearing Australia is located across the nation.
Better Hearing Australia, serving people with hearing loss since 1932.
Contact your local branch about support and membership
