Services - Support Groups
Ongoing Hearing Loss Management Support Groups
Better Hearing Australia (Vic) facilitates Ongoing Hearing Loss Management Support Groups reflecting our early role as a self-help organisation.
Run by volunteers in various locations in metropolitan and country locations, groups of hearing impaired people meet regularly in a friendly relaxed atmosphere to help each other in coping with hearing loss.
Sessions include a range of activities, discussion topics and information sharing. Family members are welcome to attend.
Members also meet in various locations for a Fifth Friday Coffee.
Anyone wishing to join an Ongoing Group or attending a Fifth Friday Coffee should contact us on (03) 9510 1577.
Members and others interested in forming new groups are welcome to contact us to discuss their needs.
Current support group locations
Melbourne and outer metropolitan
Box Hill
Dromana
Eltham
Lilydale
Country
Bendigo
Colac
Terang
Better Hearing Support groups
Better Hearing Australia (Vic) Members are currently developing a new service – Better Hearing Support Groups.
The Support Groups will enable members to better manage their hearing loss by providing peer support, information and advice.
Support Groups will provide hearing impaired people in Melbourne and country regions with opportunities for:
- regular contact with others who have hearing impairment
- sharing knowledge and experiences related to hearing loss
- social contact and activities
How are Support Groups established?
Better Hearing Australia (Victoria) will assist with the establishment of Support Groups:
- We will respond to requests from individuals, from community groups, and from local government entities to set up support groups, as well as proactively seeking interest for such groups;
- We will secure local meeting accommodation, conduct open information sessions on hearing loss and the value of Better Hearing Support Groups, and initiate proceedings for the local group to get started;
- We will provide assistance to facilitator(s) from within the group;
- We will assist the Group to develop a monthly program;
- We will support the Group by providing speakers on topics as required.
Other free services available to Better Hearing Australia (Vic) members
- four issues per year of the National Journal ‘Better Hearing’
- four issues per year of the BHA Victoria Newsletter ‘Eye Hear’
- one hearing test and hearing aid check per year at the Hearing Aid Clinic in Prahran
- attendance at other Better Hearing Australia (Vic) groups
- volunteering, social activities, participation.
Members are of course also able to access the government-funded services provided free of charge by Better Hearing Australia (Victoria) to non-members, including professional advice and information services.