As the business end of the footy season approaches, an Aussie health-tech company is encouraging Central Coast men to make good use of the ad breaks, for the sake their hearing.
It’s Saturday afternoon, the chips are within reach and the footie is blaring from the TV.
The kids or grandkids are asking questions you’ve expertly tuned out.
Maybe your wife’s saying something from the kitchen, but between the crowd noise and commentary, you’ve got no idea what it was.
You nod, smile and raise an eyebrow like you’re paying attention; it’s a move you’ve perfected.
But here’s a thought – what if it’s not just selective hearing?
If you’ve ever found yourself straining to hear the half-time footie panel or turning the TV volume up a little more each week, maybe it’s time for a different kind of kick.
Many men don’t exactly leap into action when it comes to health.
Hearing loss is one of those things; slow, sneaky and easy to brush off.
But one in six Australians already have hearing loss and most don’t do anything about it.
Australian health-tech company PocketAid CEO Don Hudson said on average it took someone seven years to seek support for hearing loss, and often up to 10 years.
“Men over 50 are significantly more likely to be affected and many won’t realise it, or admit it, until it starts to impact their relationships, their confidence and their ability to do the things they love,” he said.
The company has developed a new way to check your hearing without setting foot in a clinic.
It’s called the Hearing Aid Simulator. It’s a world-first, it’s free, online and it takes less time than half-time.
The simulator walks you through 12 real-world scenarios like watching TV, chatting in a café or having a conversation in the car.
You’ll hear what someone with hearing loss hears in those situations, and then what it sounds like with hearing aid support.
To personalise the simulation, you can input your own hearing test results or simply pick a preset hearing loss level – mild, moderate, or severe.
“It’s private; there’s no need to tell the guys on the group chat or at the club,” Hudson said.
“Think of how many people could be getting more enjoyment out of life if we spread the word how easy it is to check out hearing support.
“Modern hearing support is subtle, smart and life changing.
“Just like you wouldn’t go around with foggy glasses, why put up with missing half the conversation?”
It is often the higher frequencies that go first – that means the softer or higher-pitched voices of children and women.
Jump onto www.pocketaid.com.au/hearing-aid-simulator and give it a go.
You might just hear what you’ve been missing – and you won’t even have to stand up.
