SOUND-BITES Program: Integrating hearing checks and education on hearing loss and hearing sensing technologies within Meals on Wheels (MoW) Services

The Challenge

Hearing aids and cochlear implants are considered smart sensing technologies due to their advanced features and capabilities that go beyond traditional sound amplification. Increasing access to hearing sensing technologies improves hearing and speech perception; thereby, ensuring healthy ageing at home by addressing the flow-on negative impacts of hearing loss.

Hearing loss affects 75 percent of Australians aged 65+ years, increasing to 90 percent of those aged 80+ years. Untreated hearing loss is associated with loneliness, depression, frailty, and increased falls. Importantly, recent research identified midlife hearing loss as the single largest modifiable risk factor for a future dementia diagnosis. Early detection of hearing loss and appropriate interventions can prevent these associated adverse effects in seniors. However, onset of hearing loss is often subtle and can go unrecognised. Implementing systematic hearing screening in seniors followed by prompt rehabilitation of a hearing aid and/or cochlear implant is vital for continued wellbeing.

The Solution

This innovative project capitalises on an untapped opportunity to improve the management of hearing health across the NSW Meals on Wheels (MoW) network of more than 22,000 clients, which is served by 14,000 volunteers. The multi-faceted benefits of MoW include wellbeing checks performed by volunteers at every meal delivery. Volunteers are trained to seek help if seniors do not seem themselves or require additional support or medical assistance.

By providing volunteers with user-friendly hearing screening tools to identify hearing issues in homebound seniors as part of this routine wellbeing check, this project will promote access to hearing services and use of hearing sensing technologies. The project team will train volunteers on screening for hearing loss using the Sound Scouts app; and communicating test results and key messages on hearing health. This novel model will be delivered by 60 MoW volunteers to 600 clients from 3 to 5 Sydney sites.

Industry Partners

University Partners