The world is a noisy place!!!
Every day, we experience noise in our environment, such as sounds from our household appliances, in traffic, at work and in recreation pursuits.  Sometimes we hear some sounds at safe levels that do not affect our hearing, but when we expose ourselves to dangerous levels of noise and for dangerous periods of time, the sensitive structures in our inner ear can be damaged causing noise induced hearing loss.
Noise induced hearing loss is the second most common type of hearing loss only second to presbycusis (hearing loss associated with old age).  Any age group may be affected by exposure to harmful levels of noise.
 
Better Hearing Australia (Vic) Hearing Advisors provide information and advice on all aspects of hearing conservation:-

• Safe and unsafe noise levels
• Potentially hazardous listening situations
• Suitable types of hearing protection
• What you can do to maintain healthy hearing
 
We provide advice via:-

• Telephone consultation
• Individual appointments
• Information talks to school students and community groups
• Written information
 
Information for Health Professionals
 
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

The services of Better Hearing Australia (Vic) complement those of health professionals working with adults who have acquired hearing loss.
We can offer clients a more extensive aural rehabilitation service.  Better Hearing Australia (Vic) is well resourced through government funding and our staff have the professional qualifications and expertise to deliver effective services.
 
CLIENT REFERALS

While many clients self refer to Better Hearing Australia (Vic), audiologists, general practitioners and Ear, Nose and Throat specialists are welcome to refer their clients to us for further information and advice.  We can advise and inform individuals or small groups about hearing loss and tinnitus management.  Individual consultations can be either in person or via phone.
 
CLIENT NEEDS

Clients commonly request information on the following:

• Understanding the hearing process
• Understanding hearing test results
• Explanation of the programs and features of hearing aids
 
• Explanation and demonstration of telecoil and audio loops
• General communication concerns.
 
We find that often clients:

• Have not understood the process of getting used to wearing a hearing aid  successfully, particularly if there has been long-term auditory deprivation
• Have unrealistic expectations about hearing aids restoring normal hearing
• Lack understanding about hearing aids not providing more clarity of speech
• Are not employing communication strategies to help them and their significant    others communicate more easily and effectively
• Are unaware of the assistive hearing technology that is available (telephone  devices, TV listening devices, personal listening systems and alerting systems).
 
Many clients express a wish that they had known earlier about the hearing technology that makes life so much more manageable for them. We also find that clients want to talk about their own hearing loss story.
 
WORKSHOPS

Our Hearing Loss Management Workshops are particularly ideal for individuals who are in the early stages of addressing their hearing loss problems and wearing hearing aids. Workshops can be delivered at your place of work.