Did you know hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 466 million people worldwide live with disabling hearing loss. Without intervention, this is estimated to exceed 900 million people by 2050.

The majority of Australians will experience some degree of hearing loss over their lifetimes. Aboriginal people, in particular, experience middle-ear disease at a rate the WHO has called a ‘massive public health problem’. The long-term effects of poor hearing health on educational, linguistic and psycho-social development for children and adults alike, can be devastating.

Managing a community’s hearing health, requires a co-ordinated approach to effect far-reaching and lasting change.

As a global hub of hearing health, Macquarie University excels in hearing-related clinical diagnostics, research, education and engagement across many of our disciplines. This is why hearing is a strategic priority for the entire university.

To that end, Macquarie University Hearing has recently been working to shape a dedicated hearing strategy.

The result of our consultation process is the Hearing Strategy Framework Green Paper, which is now available for review and feedback.

Macquarie University Vice-Chancellor Professor S Bruce Dowton says: “Hearing influences every aspect of our lives, from the development of language in our childhood through to our independence in old age. The Macquarie University Hearing Strategy supports a collaborative approach to connecting key researchers, clinicians, educators, regulators and commercial partners, to transform the way hearing health is understood and practiced. With your feedback in finalising our strategic direction, our activities can be targeted more effectively to improve the lives of people affected by hearing loss.”

To assist us in finalising the Macquarie University Hearing Strategy Framework, particularly in refining our strategic goals, we welcome staff members’ thoughts and suggestions on the Green Paper.

Please click here to download the paper and to share your feedback.

Please share your feedback by Wednesday, 9 January 2019.

Your valuable input will help us work together to transform the lives of people affected by hearing loss.