What to do when hearing aids are no longer enough
ONE in three people over the age of 65 experience hearing loss.
As such, regular hearing tests are recommended after the age of 50.
Shannon Culley is a Toowoomba-based Audiologist at the RIDBC Clive Berghofer Centre. “Hearing loss is common amongst older persons in Australia, and Toowoomba is no exception,” Ms Culley said.
“Our hearing helps to connect us to the world – our families, our friends, and our social lives,
“Unfortunately, some people don’t address their hearing loss and instead learn to accept it,” she said.
But, hearing loss doesn’t need to be accepted, even if you have hearing aids.
Shannon is urging the community to explore their hearing options and when hearing aids are no longer enough, consider a cochlear implant or other implantable hearing devices. “Everyone’s cochlear implant journey is unique, but the common sentiment is ‘I wish I had done it sooner,’ she said.
And that is a feeling shared with other family members who see firsthand loved ones reconnect with what they love most in life.
Ms Culley has lived in Toowoomba for nearly 10-years, when she began her audiology career.
Now an experienced audiologist, she is proud to support the local community to access vital services at the RIDBC (Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children) Clive Berghofer Centre.
The RIDBC Clive Berghofer Centre in Toowoomba is open to public patients, people with private health insurance and those with DVA status.
People at any stage of their hearing journey are welcome, from those seeking a hearing assessment to those who are existing cochlear implant recipients.
They can also assist those with appropriate NDIS funding to receive an upgrade to their speech processor.
Last year, RIDBC’s Cochlear Implant Program performed over 400 cochlear implant surgeries nationally, making it the largest in Australia. For a bulk-billed assessment with Shannon at RIDBC Clive Berghofer Centre ask your GP for a referral to the Medical Director, SCIC. For more information about accessing your Toowoomba local services, contact RIDBC on 1300 581 391 or via toowoomba@ridbc.org.au.