The 27th of February to the 3rd of March 2023 marks Hearing Awareness week this year. This is a week dedicated to promoting awareness and research on hearing loss, and assistance to the hearing impaired. It is also highlighted by World Hearing Day on the 3rd of March every year. This year’s theme is “Ear and hearing care for all! Let’s make it a reality”. So what is Hearing Awareness, what can you do to help and what is Falls of Sound offering?
Hearing loss has been around for as long as humans have but has always been a misunderstood condition. In the early days of civilisation, hearing-impaired people were often ostracised or seen as less intelligent. The first records of sign language in fact only appear around the 10th Century in France. But not to help the hearing impaired as you would imagine. Rather it was used by monks have taken vows of silence. And it wasn’t until the 16th Century that a school for the deaf was first established.
Realistically speaking, it wasn’t until relatively recently that hearing loss could finally be addressed properly and medically. So it’s not a surprise that even today, hearing loss is still a topic needing more awareness and attention. This is why these annual awareness opportunities are so important for the hearing impaired of today and tomorrow.
The theme this year is about making hearing health accessible to all. The idea is to raise awareness both for the general population and for governments that hearing loss needs more attention. Most importantly, it’s about encouraging people to seek out help for their hearing loss and protecting their hearing. Things like avoiding excessively loud sounds or wearing earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones can go a long way. Making sure to avoid putting objects in your ears and clean them with a soft cloth instead. And of course regular checkups with an audiologist to keep on top of potential hearing health issues.
This year, Falls of Sound is delighted to mark Hearing Awareness Week by doing our own little “hearing awareness month”, offering free hearing screenings and second opinions on hearing tests at our Caboolture, Indooroopilly and Maroochydore clinics during the month of March*. This is a small gesture to help you or loved ones check on how your hearing is going and whether it’s time to start doing something about it. Spaces are limited, of course, so make sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
But not just that, anyone anywhere can play their part in raising awareness for hearing health, and you can too! Sound Bite Picnics is a Deafness Foundation initiative to let everyone help with hearing health awareness. Simply organise a picnic for your work, friends, family or club, big or small, and register it at https://soundbitespicnic.com.au/about/. Have some fun and teach others about the importance of hearing health awareness!
So this year let’s make Hearing Awareness Week and World Hearing Day count! Give us a call to book your free hearing screening on the 1st of March. Or register a picnic to spread information about hearing loss. Or simply tell that one person about hearing health awareness, and change a life. And of course, don’t forget to drop in for your hearing aid cleans at your local Falls of Sound clinic.
*This offer is for 15-minute hearing screening appointments and does not apply to full hearing tests, tinnitus consultations or earwax removals. The offer is valid for appointments during March 2023 only. Appointment times must be booked in advance and are limited to first-in, first-serve by availability.