Supporting all Australians who are deaf or hard of hearing to live well in the community.
Australia’s first Hearing Health Roadmap has been created to improve the lives of the millions of Australians affected by hearing loss.
The Roadmap will spearhead a coordinated national effort to improve hearing health.
Eight key priorities identified include a public awareness campaign, child ear health checks, increased availability of Australia’s sign language, Auslan, improved aged care hearing services, and more support for people on low incomes.
The Roadmap has a further 147 actions, highlighting the broad range of initiatives the Government and hearing sector can work together on.
The Roadmap highlights the role all Australians can take in caring for their hearing, and ensuring the inclusion of people who are deaf or hard of hearing. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, the Roadmap highlights the importance of early identification and suitable support being provided by a professional workforce.
The actions outlined in the Roadmap involve a wide range of stakeholders including consumer and community groups, suppliers and providers, manufacturers, and researchers. Deafness Forum of Australia, Hearing Matters Australia (formerly SHHH) and Better Hearing Australia (national) represented the consumer voice in the design of the Roadmap.