Do you have the TV or radio turned up louder? Do you find telephone conversations hard work? Maybe you ask people to repeat things, or have difficulty following conversations in groups of people?
Has someone suggested you might not be hearing as well as you used to?
Marsden Park resident Charlie Hammond, 63, was first in line to have his hearing checked at Specsavers Richmond when it launched audiology services last week.
He said he couldn't remember the last time he could hear with ease, and decided to take advantage of Specsavers' new services, which include free 15-minute hearing tests.
"My hearing has really gone downhill in the past 12 months. My grandkids know that they need to yell for me to hear them and I'm completely missing conversations. I'm beginning to avoid busy places because I know I'm not going to be able hear at all," said Mr Hammond.
He said his role as an electrician may have contributed to his hearing loss.
"From the age of eighteen I was always working around heavy machinery that generated a lot of noise, and back in those days there was no ear protection available," he said.
"When people come over I'm turning the TV down to a normal level and not being able to hear a thing".
He said he was looking forward to having his hearing addressed so he didn't have to ask people to repeat themselves anymore.
"Just this week I told my daughter I couldn't go to an event because I knew I wouldn't be able to hear - I don't want to have to do that anymore," he said.
Natali Carleton, Specsavers Richmond Audiologist, encouraged all locals who might have concerns about their hearing to book a free 15-minute hearing check.
"At the moment it takes most Australians 7-10 years to acknowledge they have hearing loss before they do anything to help it - if they do anything at all," she said.
"During these years, I have personally seen so many cases where hearing loss affects a person's confidence and independence. The individual becomes embarrassed at having difficulty joining conversations, so they back away from social engagements and start to become isolated."
Specsavers' Executive Director of Audiology, Darrel Magna, said the new offering was giving locals a more accessible solution to hearing loss.
If further testing is required, comprehensive hearing assessments and hearing aids can now be purchased from Specsavers.
Book a hearing test at www.specsavers.com.au/hearing or call Specsavers at Richmond Marketplace on 4578 3905.
Sarah Falson
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daily Liberal journalist. I love telling people's stories. Get in touch at sarah.falson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
