Hearing inquiry listens – now is the opportunity for government to act

HCIA welcomes the Australian Government’s response to the parliamentary inquiry into Hearing Health and Wellbeing and its report, Still Waiting to be Heard.

In its submission to the inquiry (#30), HCIA made a number of suggestions to improve hearing services in Australia which include:

• Improving eligibility, particularly for low income people of working age to keep them engaged and contributing to national productivity,
• Funding awareness and prevention measures specifically aimed at young people; and
• Implementing a national screening program for all Australians over the age of 50.

HCIA will continue to pursue these and other opportunities through its participation on the Government’s newly established Hearing Sector Committee, charged with developing the first ever Hearing Health Roadmap for Australia – a work program for government that gives hearing health greater priority.

HCIA is also pleased that Ministers Wyatt and Hunt recently placed Hearing Health on the COAG Health Minister’s agenda and workplan, and announced new measures to improve the hearing health of indigenous Australians. There is an opportunity to encourage public health campaigns that destigmatise hearing loss and encourage those hard of hearing to seek early assistance.

The Government’s response to the ‘Waiting to be Heard’ report is available here.

Contact

Hearing Care Industry Association info@hcia.com.au