Life Unlimited has joined forces with the World Health Organization to highlight that timely and effective interventions can ensure that people with hearing loss are able to achieve their full potential.
On World Hearing Day 2020, World Health Organization (Who) and Life Unlimited Hearing Therapy will draw attention to the options available in this respect.
Key messages for World Hearing Day 2020:
- At all life stages, communication and good hearing health connect us to each other, our communities, and the world.
- For those who have hearing loss, appropriate and timely interventions can facilitate access to education, employment and communication.
- Globally, there is lack of access to interventions to address hearing loss, such as hearing aids.
- Early intervention should be made available through the health systems.
Hearing Therapy is a national service funded by the Ministry of Health and delivered by Life Unlimited Charitable Trust.
It provides free hearing assessments, information, hearing tests and support to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents aged 16 years and over.
The service is independent. Life Unlimited does not sell or fit hearing aids, but gives independent advice about using hearing aids and other listening devices.
Call 0800 008 011 to book your free appointment with a qualified hearing therapist. Or complete our online registration form.
Deafness and hearing loss
Hearing loss and deafness
A person is said to have hearing loss if they are not able to hear as well as someone with normal hearing – hearing thresholds of 20 dB or better in both ears. It can be mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe, or profound, and can affect one or both ears. Hearing loss has multiple potential causes: genetic factors, complications at birth, infectious disease, chronic ear infections, usage of certain drugs, exposure to excessive noise, and aging.
Hard of hearing and deaf
The term ‘deaf’ is used to describe the condition of people with severe or profound hearing loss in both ears as they can hear only very loud sounds or not hear anything at all.
The term ‘hard of hearing’ is used to describe the condition of people with mild to severe hearing impairment as they cannot hear as well as those with normal hearing.
Ear and hearing care
Ear and hearing care includes comprehensive, evidence-based interventions to prevent, identify and treat ear diseases and hearing loss; and to rehabilitate and support people with hearing loss through the health system and in collaboration with other systems.
Hearing rehabilitation
The term encompasses a diverse set of interventions that can benefit people with untreatable hearing loss. These include: hearing aids, cochlear implants, other assistive devices, sign language, auditory training, speech and language therapy and captioning.
