The Hon Dr David Gillespie MP
Minister for Regional Health
Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Investment
Deputy Leader of the House
The Federal Coalition Government has invested more than $32,000 through the Deafness Forum of Australia to promote World Hearing Day today, to raises awareness about preventing hearing loss and promoting heathy ear care across Australia.
Minister for Regional Health, Dr David Gillespie many common causes of hearing loss can be prevented, including hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds.
"As a doctor practising in regional Australia for three decades I saw the burden of preventable hearing loss in the community-for the individual and their families. It's life changing and there ways everyone can protect their hearing," Dr Gillespie said.
"About 3.6 million people-or one in six Australians experience some form of hearing impairment and for a third of these people, their hearing loss could have been prevented."
Dr Gillespie said this year's theme - To hear for life, listen with care - encouraged people to think about how they can listen safely in all situations, every day.
Dr Gillespie said the Federal Coalition Government is committed to raising awareness about hearing health and ensuring people have the information they need to avoid preventable hearing loss.
"To help achieve this, the Government has provided $32,500 to Deafness Forum of Australia to promote World Hearing Day 2022 across mainstream and social media channels nationally.
"This funding will get the message out to help people avoid preventable hearing loss and to take appropriate actions to help save their hearing."
Supporting World Hearing Day and raising awareness about hearing health was identified as a key action under the Liberal and Nationals Government's Roadmap for Hearing Health.
This funding is in addition to the $21.2 million committed to implementing this Roadmap announced in the 2020 Budget.
Also coinciding with Hearing Awareness Week, is the online Rural and Regional Hearing Healthcare Summit on 3 and 4 March, which Dr Gillespie addressed today.
The summit will explore current and projected hearing workforce issues to inform future service planning and delivery in rural, regional and remote Australia.
The Federal Government funded the summit in support of the Roadmap for Hearing Health.
