Sound Bites Program Pilot
Macquarie University Hearing and Meals on Wheels NSW have partnered to improve the hearing health of Meals on Wheels clients through an innovative pilot program offering in-home hearing checks.
As part of the program, final-year Master of Audiology students from Macquarie University conduct hearing assessments in clients' homes, supported by trusted Meals on Wheels volunteers. The pilot provides a safe, convenient and comfortable way for clients to have their hearing checked without leaving home.
If the hearing check identifies any potential concerns, clients are encouraged to visit a qualified audiologist or hearing clinic for a comprehensive hearing assessment and any recommended follow-up care.
Did you know 75% of Australians aged 65 plus experience hearing loss, rising to 90% for those aged 80 plus? Untreated hearing loss contributes to loneliness, depression, frailty, falls, and cognitive decline among seniors.
Early detection and appropriate interventions can mitigate these adverse effects. Integrating routine hearing checks and education on hearing loss into Meals on Wheels services offers comprehensive support for older adults.
Meals on Wheels do not just drop a meal at your door, we strive to deliver much more than that, a friendly chat, a wellbeing check and piece of mind for families knowing that their loved ones are receiving the nutrition they need to live well at home.
