Media Release
A free hearing check is just a phone call away
4 September 2007
A new national service launched today will allow all Australians to have their hearing checked without leaving the comfort of their own home.
Telscreen is a unique, telephone-based service that allows people to check their hearing. Developed from research by the National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), in conjunction with Australian Hearing, it is modeled on an auditory screening system first developed by Dutch researchers and operated in the United Kingdom by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf.
At the launch in Perth today the Minister for Human Services, Senator The Hon. Chris Ellison, said the innovative new service is an improved system based on research that will help cater for the needs of elderly Australians and those who live in rural and remote areas.
“Often the biggest obstacle people face is actually going and having their hearing screened. Now with Telscreen we have an easy and accessible way to help all Australians to check their hearing.”
“For people living in rural and remote areas, Telscreen means that any concerns they have about deterioration in their hearing can be verified by making a simple phone call.
“The provision of this new service demonstrates a commitment by the Australian Government to provide greater access to services for those who need them the most,” Senator Ellison said.
Professor Harvey Dillon, director of the National Acoustic Laboratories, said NAL developed and applied its own innovations to the UK testing system to provide Australians with the world’s most sophisticated telephone-based hearing check to self screen for hearing disability.
People access the service by calling the toll-free number 1800 826 500 and following the prompts to start the check.
“The caller will hear randomly selected sets of three single-digit numbers which are spoken behind background noise. The caller responds by entering the numbers they have heard into the number pad on their phone.
“At the end of the screening, the caller will be advised whether or not they have passed and, if necessary, suggest the caller seek further information or professional advice from Australian Hearing,” Professor Dillon said.
Professor Dillon said that no telephone testing system is yet perfect and that NAL would continue to monitor the results generated by Telscreen and do further research to improve the service, with the overall aim of raising the community’s awareness of hearing loss and willingness to treat it.
Senator Ellison said people who are concerned about their hearing should ring the Telscreen number and go through the simple screening process which only takes a few minutes. He said Australians should encourage their parents and grandparents to use the service, due to the high prevalence of hearing loss amongst seniors.
“It might act as the trigger for people to take the next step and have a hearing screening at Australian Hearing. With more than 92 hearing centres and 220 visiting sites around the country, audiologists are accessible to most Australians.”
An Australian Government agency, Australian Hearing provides subsidised hearing care to most veterans and pensioner concession cardholders.
Australian Hearing centres are located in all states and territories of Australia. For more information or to find your nearest centre visit www.hearing.com.au or call 131 797 to make an appointment.
Media Contact: Michael Barrett – (02) 6277 7200 or 0419 424 359.