THE Australian Hearing bus will stop at Alexandra Hills Shopping Centre to offer hearing checks and raise hearing health awareness.
Initial hearing checks for those over 18 are free and some devices and services are subsidised under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program while others attract fees.
The mobile hearing service has provided more than 175,000 free hearing checks in communities across Australia since the idea was launched nearly a decade ago.
Australian Hearing Cleveland manager David McMaster said that because age-related hearing loss developed gradually over time, it was common for people to overlook warning signs that their hearing was going.
“Hearing loss is a prevalent issue in the community,” he said.
“One in six Australians is affected by hearing loss and with an ageing population this is expected to increase to one in four by 2050.
“A hearing check is a quick and easy way to measure the sounds you can and can’t hear.”
As well as a hearing check, bus visitors can get information and check out a range of hearing devices. These include headsets for watching TV and alert systems for doorbells.
“Not everyone who is experiencing problems hearing needs a hearing aid,” Mr McMaster said.
“Sometimes they might just need support listening to the TV at normal volumes, hearing at noisy social events or hearing friends and family on the phone.”
No appointment is necessary. The bus will be at the centre from 9am to noon.
