Photo courtesy Hearing Australia
By Troy Brown
It is estimated that almost half (43%) of Indigenous Australians aged 7 and over experience hearing loss, infections or other problems in one or both ears.
And the consequences can be serious if not attended and checked.
If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, signs can be things such as:
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Your family complaining the TV volume is up too loud
- A ringing or buzzing sound in your ears
- Straining to hear in many situations
- Missing out on everyday sounds
If issues with your ears are not sorted out, especially within our Boorai community, it can lead to deafness and other lifelong hearing and medical problems.
This is why GEGAC partners with Hearing Australia to provide free hearing and ear health checks for mob.
“Don’t put it off. If you’ve been worried about your ears or hearing, or if you’ve got kids that haven’t had an ear check yet, call us today and book it in.”
Sarah Baxter – GEGAC
For over 30 years, Hearing Australia’s Outreach Program has been working to improve access to hearing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the building of strong community connections, including with GEGAC and Gunaikurnai peoples.
Audiologists from Hearing Australia (an Audiologist evaluates and treats people with hearing loss) visit GEGAC on a regular schedule to provide an expert ear clinic for people in East Gippsland.
GEGAC’s Medical Clinic Practice Manager Sarah Baxter says the ear checks are free, easy and painless.
“Don’t put it off,” she says. “If you’ve been worried about your ears or hearing, or if you’ve got kids that haven’t had an ear check yet, call us today and book it in.”
For more information, or to make an appointment, call GEGAC Medical Centre reception on 5150 0760 and ask about the hearing checks.
