Download Hearing Therapy supports families with hearing loss

MEDIA RELEASE
25 February 2016
Hearing Therapy supports families with hearing loss –
Hearing Week 2016 (29 February – 6 March)
“Hearing loss affects more than just the person who has an impairment - it
impacts the entire family.”
That’s the view of Jessica Lissaman from Hearing Therapy Services, the free
national service that helps people and their families manage the impact of
hearing loss in the lead up to the National Foundation for the Deaf’s Hearing
Week next week, 29 February to 6 March 2016.
Ms Lissaman, General Manager of Hearing at Life Unlimited (the charitable
trust that manages the Hearing Therapy Service) says working with the family
and whanau of people with hearing loss is crucial to improving communication
and day-to-day life for those with a hearing impairment.
“Communication is two-way, so if someone has an impairment – whether it’s a
child, a parent, or a grandparent – everyone in the family can make changes
to make communication in day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable. That’s
where our trained hearing therapists can step in and make a difference by
looking at key needs and working with people over time to reach their goals –
whether it’s being able to hear in a noisy restaurant, manage at meetings or
watch a movie.”
Hearing Therapy is a free national service, funded by the Ministry of Health,
available to all New Zealand citizens over the age of 16. This year’s theme of
Hearing Week is Childhood Hearing Loss and, although Hearing Therapy
Services focuses on people aged 16 years and over, the service still supports
young people, such as older high school and tertiary students, and
their families.
“Being successful at study is often a goal of young people we work with.
Being able to hear well in lectures can be a real struggle but we can suggest
strategies and equipment that may help, including the education of teachers
and lecturers in improving communication with people with hearing
impairments. Some students may qualify for funding assistance and we can
help with that as well,” continues Ms Lissaman.
Hearing therapists can also offer great advice on how to help prevent noiseinduced hearing loss.
“Young people – and people of all ages – should be aware of ‘how loud is too
loud’? Those working in noisy jobs, such as forestry, building, in gyms and
nightclubs, should monitor their hearing and protect it as noise-induced
hearing loss is permanent. Our team offers free hearing evaluations and
advice to help people ensure they are looking after their ears – one of the
most often-neglected organs in the body,” says Ms Lissaman.
Hearing impairment affected 380,000 people (9 percent of the total
population) in the last 2013 New Zealand Census, with approximately one in
three people over the age of 60 experiencing some degree of loss.
To make a free appointment with Hearing Therapy Services contact 0800 008
011, or ask your GP for a referral. A trained hearing therapist will assess
each person’s hearing needs and work on a plan to work towards individual
hearing goals, such as help with hearing aids, other assistive equipment,
communication skills or information about funding options.
For more information visit www.lifeunlimited.net.nz/hearing
Kate Doran
Communications Advisor
Life Unlimited Charitable Trust
Living Independence for Everyone
20 Palmerston Street, P O Box 146, HAMILTON 3240
Phone 07 903 7053/ 021 906 846 Freephone 0800 008 011
www.lifeunlimited.net.nz
Facebook:life unlimited
[email protected]