If you’ve been missing things in conversation or having fights with your hearing aid – don’t delay getting help. Come and see the friendly team at the free, national Hearing Therapy Service in Hamilton at their ‘Living Well With Hearing Loss Open Day’ on Thursday 11 August from 10am-1pm.
The team, based at Life Unlimited Charitable Trust at 20 Palmerston Street, want more people to know about their free Ministry of Health-funded service that aims to help people manage the impact of hearing loss.
Hearing therapist, Sue Jennings, says: “Statistics show that one in six people have hearing loss but many don’t seek help or support. We would love to support more people in Hamilton to reach their hearing-related goals. These could be anything from being able to hear colleagues better in work meetings, to talking to your grandchildren on the phone.”
The Hearing Therapy team will give short talks on tinnitus, using hearing aids effectively and communication tips for partners and family. Visitors will also be able to book a free hearing evaluation and talk to a hearing therapist about any issues they have been having. People can pop into the Open Day any time between 10am and 1pm.
Hearing Therapy is a free national service available to all New Zealand citizens aged 16 years and over. Approximately 380,000 or 9% of New Zealanders self-reported hearing loss in the last New Zealand Census, with about one in three people over the age of 60 experiencing some degree of loss.
Anyone who needs support to manage living with a hearing loss can make a free appointment with Hearing Therapy Services by contacting 0800 008 011 or they can ask their GP for a referral. They will then be put in touch with a local trained hearing therapist, who will assess each person’s hearing needs and create on a plan to work towards individual hearing goals, such as help with hearing aids or other assistive equipment, improving communication skills, or information about funding options.
Aside from appointments, hearing therapists are available to talk to community groups about managing hearing loss and are qualified to carry out in-home assessments for safety alerting devices for those with hearing impairments.
Living Well With Hearing Loss
Free Open Day
11 August 2016 from 10am-1pm
Hearing Therapy Services
20 Palmerston Street
Hamilton 3204
https://www.yourwaykiaroha.nz/hearing/
