The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) will host a free hearing loss information session in Gosford, where locals can hear directly from a cochlear implant recipient and have their questions answered.
With one in three people over the age of 65 affected by hearing loss, Medical Director of Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC), an RIDBC service, Associate Professor Catherine Birman, said that hearing devices, such as cochlear implants, were becomingly increasingly more important to keep people connected to their friends, family, and community.
“For these people, implantable hearing solutions are an option when their hearing aids are no longer enough,” Ass Prof Birman said.
“If hearing loss is not addressed by middle age, there is a higher risk of dementia.”
Therefore, Ass Prof Birman recommends regular hearing tests after the age of 50.
“We know that hearing loss can lead to withdrawal, social isolation, depression and anxiety amongst older adults,” Ass Prof Birman said.
Despite this, 90 per cent of adults with hearing loss who could benefit from a cochlear implant don’t have one and according to Ass Prof Birman, this was simply due to a lack of awareness.
“There are many people who are just coping, but you don’t just need to accept your hearing loss,” she said.
“By addressing your hearing loss early, we know that you will have better outcomes.
“The earlier you step in, the better your hearing will be,” she added.
The Gosford information session will take place at the SCIC Cochlear Implant Program building on Mann St, from 10:30am on March 25.
Source:
Media release, Mar 5
Jessie Kan, RIDBC