Media Release
New telephone hearing service an immediate success
7 September 2007
A new national telephone-based hearing service launched on Tuesday is proving extremely popular, with more than 40,000 calls made to the service to date.
The Minister for Human Services, Senator The Hon. Chris Ellison said the extraordinary demand for Telscreen confirms the need for such a service, particularly for people with limited access to services.
“This new service is of great benefit to people living in rural and remote areas and that is reflected in the early take up of Telscreen. So far the figures indicate that of the total calls made to the service, more than half have been made from areas outside the major centres.
“Already we are seeing evidence of the convenience of the telephone in helping to overcome barriers to accessing a hearing screening. This is of particular value to the elderly and to those in rural and remote areas,” Senator Ellison said.
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 modelled on an auditory screening system first developed by Dutch researchers and operated in the United Kingdom by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. NAL has significantly re-engineered the testing process, demonstrating Australian know-how in this field.
People can access the service by calling the toll-free number 1800 826 500 and by following the prompts to start the check.
“Telscreen is proving the perfect trigger for people to take the important step of having a hearing screening at Australian Hearing. It supplements the services provided at more than 92 hearing centres and 220 visiting sites around the country,” Senator Ellison said.
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. For more information, or to find your nearest centre, visit www.hearing.com.au or call 131 797 to make an appointment.
Media Contacts:
Michael Barrett (Minister’s Office) – 0419 424 359
Rena Richmond (Australian Hearing) – 0408 863 201