One in six affected by hearing loss

The Commonwealth Government marked Hearing Awareness Week by announcing that it would provide $3.6 million for research into the prevention of avoidable hearing loss.

According to research published by Access Economics last year, as many as one in six Australians are affected by hearing loss – and with an ageing population, that figure is expected to reach one in four by 2050.

The aims of Hearing Awareness Week are to raise awareness of hearing loss and to assist those who are affected by it.

“This Week provides an opportunity for people to get information about services available and [undergo] free hearing screenings at many hearing centres across the nation,” said the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot.

The latest round of funding will be allocated to five different research groups as part of the government’s Hearing Loss Prevention Program.

“The research will fill important gaps and progress knowledge to inform prevention programs,” said Mrs Elliot.