Week a call to act on hearing loss
The first week of March is national Hearing Awareness Week. World Hearing Day 2021 marks the launch of the World Health Organisation (WHO) World Report on Hearing, presenting a global call for action to address hearing loss and ear diseases across the life course.
The theme for World Hearing Day 2021 is: Hearing care for ALL!
The National Hearing New Zealand office will be running its annual Silent Breakfast event in Auckland and the Horowhenua branch will have an information stall on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-po¯ between 10am dna 2pm.
The charity invites individuals, schools, workplaces and community groups to hold their own Silent Breakfast and donate the money raised to their local Hearing Association or online at www.hearing.org. nz.
The purpose of the Hearing Awareness Week campaign is to change attitudes towards hearing loss, increase understanding and empathy for those living with a hearing loss, promote safe listening practices at home, at school and in the workplace, and raising funds for hearing support use.
The Horowhenua Hearing Association is based at the community hub in Bristol St and advises people on hearing issues, such as where to go when they think they experience hearing loss.
“We have a hearing therapist who comes here regularly to do free hearing tests,” said Karen Rowsell.
The local branch supplies accessories, such as batteries for hearing aids and does minor repair and cleaning of hearing aids.
“We also have regular meetings where visiting audiologists talk about aspects of hearing loss.”
The services used to be associated with Sally White Audiology in Palmerston North but no longer is. Local audiology services are available at Bay Audiology and at See Hear, both in Oxford St in Levin.
“Hearing loss usually happens gradually and we often advice people on how to bring up the subject with a family member who they believe suffers from loss of hearing. That is not always easy to bring up.”
Karen said the Horowhenua branch can also advise people with tinitis.
National past president and current board member Tony Rush says, “We have a number of projects planned in 2021 including our Dangerous Decibels training in schools around the country which will see us educate thousands of young people about how to keep their hearing safe in a fun and engaging way. This year will mark the launch of our reutilising hearing aids project, providing New Zealanders who are unable to afford hearing aids the option to apply for free pre-loved hearing aids.
“We have also been busy visiting a number of music festivals giving out free ear plugs and encouraging people to protect their hearing in noisy environments. In order to make these projects happen, we need the financial backing to fund them.”
Hearing loss is a growing issue and the World Health Organisation estimates the number of young people experiencing hearing loss to grow due to the prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss. Hearing New Zealand work hard to educate people about noise-induced hearing loss and how to keep their hearing safe. Global data shows that one in five young people have a hearing loss.
You can find the Horowhenua Hearing Association at Office 7, Te Whare Mahana Community Hub, 32 Bristol St, Levin, ph 06 368 2469 or 021 089 41716 or email: horowhenuahearing@xtra.co. nz. Their office is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am-12.30pm and 1pm-4pm.