Free hearing tests offer hope for people in New South Wales
![Sasha wears these headphones during a standard hearing assessment. [Source: Lions Hearing Clinic]](https://agedcareguide-assets.imgix.net/news/articles/wp/hearingtest2310.jpg?fm=pjpg)
Why is Australian cricketer and coach, Justin Langer, encouraging Aussies to get their hearing tested?
Key points:
- Australians can access free hearing assessments at participating Lions Hearing Clinics until the end of 2024
- By 2060, an estimated 7.8 million Australians will have some form of hearing loss, as per information from the Department of Health and Aged Care
- Eligible Australians can access hearing services and support through the National Disability Insurance Scheme
Lions Hearing Clinics are offering free hearing tests at available clinics, helping to ensure that Australians get assessed before hearing concerns become permanent and require specialist support.
The free hearing assessments, valued at $150 dollars each, are available at four recently opened Lions Hearing Clinics in Sydney, namely Bondi, CBD, Neutral Bay or Chatswood locations until the end of 2024.
Lions Hearing Clinics also operate in Western Australia, with locations including Clarkson, Joondalup and Midland. A complete list of locations is available on the Lions Hearing Clinics website.
Approximately 3.6 million Australians live with some form of hearing loss and this number is expected to increase to 7.8 million Australians by 2060, as per information from the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Difficulties with hearing loss can result in delayed speech and language development in children, impact social and emotional well-being and cause social isolation when communication is impaired.
Children with difficulty hearing may not be able to express the issue, however, caregivers should be aware of symptoms in their children such as:
- not responding to their name;
- saying they hear a ringing sound;
- pronouncing words incorrectly or having a reduced vocabulary; and
- watching television with extra high volume.
Adults with hearing loss may exhibit less obvious signs such as asking someone to repeat themselves, feeling tired after noisy social interactions, attending fewer social events and not being able to hear someone when talking on the phone, according to information from Ear Science Institute Australia.
Justin Langer, Australian cricket coach and former cricketer, emphasised that all Australians should get their hearing checked to improve their general wellbeing.
“I could hardly stand up and my tinnitus and vertigo were through the roof. I was in a bad way, and it was my body telling me if you don’t slow down, I will slow you down. I sought help and it all came down to stress. Whenever I am run down, stressed or have any sort of illness it goes to the weak spot in my body, which is my left ear,” he said.
“With some good advice and treatment, I was good to go and my message is that everything is treatable if you go get help. I happen to be in the public eye but no matter who you are, struggling with things like vertigo and tinnitus can be debilitating.”
Justin Langer has experienced hearing concerns and urged all Australians to get their hearing checked. [Source: Lions Hearing Clinic]
Ear Science Chief Executive Officer Sandra Bellekom indicated that the hearing experts in Lions Hearing Clinics provide clients with a plan after receiving a hearing assessment.
“Once you have had a hearing assessment, we work with you on your hearing journey whether that’s referring for surgery, treatment or a hearing aid. Every new client is another chance for us to work towards hopefully finding a cure for hearing loss,” she said.
After receiving a hearing assessment and discussing the results with the audiologist, getting extra support may be required to help you live life to the fullest.
Currently, two government-funded programs provide support for Australians with hearing loss, namely the Hearing Services Program and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
The Hearing Services Program assists Australians through two pathways, depending on the person’s age, however, the overall goals of the program are to help eligible Australians access hearing services and devices as well as improve their community engagement.
Through the program, approximately 102,000 clients received hearing services in September 2024, according to the latest data from the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Check your eligibility for the Hearing Services Program through the eligibility quiz on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Although some Australians may be eligible for both the Hearing Services Program and the NDIS, they would receive most care through the Hearing Services Program.
However, some services are not included in the Hearing Services Program and therefore may require NDIS funding, if the individual is eligible. This may include complementary technology such as communication aids and payment of your device maintenance agreement.
Funding for eligible Australians aged 26 years or over is more likely to be provided through the NDIS than the Hearing Services Program. Participants who are deaf or hard of hearing can receive NDIS funding to access hearing services and support.
However, if you are deaf or hard of hearing and are not yet an NDIS participant, registering for the NDIS may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be.
Approximately 661,200 Australians are registered as NDIS participants, according to the latest data from the NDIS.
The Disability Support Guide encompasses a vast range of knowledge to guide you through the application and management of NDIS funding.
In your NDIS plan, you can receive core, day-to-day living support for a range of activities so you can start or continue your participation in the community.
To determine if you are eligible, you will need to live in an area where it is available, be under the age of 65 and have a disability that affects your ability to perform everyday activities. Learn more about the NDIS in this Disability Support Guide: Am I eligible for the NDIS?
Mr Langer also emphasised why seeking expert advice is crucial to maintain a healthy lifestyle, especially when related to a person’s hearing.
“[…] Hearing specialists with scientifically backed research and knowledge like Lions Hearing Clinic can point you in the right direction and get you the help you need to live a healthy and fulfilling life again,” he said.
“Too often it’s something we leave until more permanent damage is done, so please get your hearing checked.”
To book a free hearing assessment at eligible Lions Hearing Clinics, call 1300 847 395 or visit the Ear Science Institute Australia website.
However, if you can’t attend a hearing assessment in person, Australians who are looking to check their hearing can complete the Ear Science Institute Australia’s free online hearing test.
While this online test provides an indicator of a person’s hearing ability, it is not a medical diagnosis and should be confirmed by an audiologist.
When was the last time you had your hearing tested?
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