Hard of Hearing Awareness Week to take place Leeside
Four out of five people with hearing loss don’t receive the support they need, a Cork based group supporting those who are hard of hearing and deaf has said.
The Cork Deaf Association has highlighted how hearing loss can develop gradually, sometimes going unnoticed for years ahead of Cork Hard of Hearing Awareness Week taking place next week.
In Ireland, around 300,000 people live with significant hearing loss. According to the World Health Organisation, less than 20% of people who could benefit from hearing devices have their needs met.
About one in three adults experience a significant hearing loss by age 60 - often earlier than expected.
Untreated hearing loss can affect confidence, communication, and social connection, but timely support can make a remarkable difference.
The Cork Deaf Association has just announced their programme of events for Cork Hard of Hearing Awareness Week, which takes place from 17-21 November.
This year’s theme, Stay Connected, highlights how awareness, support, and small proactive steps can help people with hearing loss to remain fully engaged with their families, workplaces, and communities.
Sarah Good, Hearing Loss Support Coordinator at Cork Deaf Association encourages people to explore the options available to them.
She said: “Staying connected to friends, family, community and meaningful activities is so important. Our Hard of Hearing Awareness week programme is designed to help Hard of Hearing people to explore supports and to learn how to feel more confident about managing their hearing loss. For example, we are offering a free lipreading taster session. When combined with hearing aids or other assistive tools, it can make everyday conversation easier and help people feel more included.”
The programme of events includes a number of practical demonstrations and Q & A sessions across the week. Get to Know Your Hearing Aids talk by Kitty Ross on Tuesday 18 November at 2.30pm is a cornerstone of the week and will offer assistance to anyone with queries around using hearing aids.
Programme of events:
Monday 17 November - Lip Reading Taster Class and Assistive Technology Display Stand from 11am-12pm - contact to book.
Tuesday 18 November - Get to Know Your Hearing Aids Talk by Kitty Ross at 2.30pm
Wednesday 19 November - Outreach Information Stand in Market Green, Midleton
Thursday 20 November - Outreach Information Stand in Wilton Shopping Centre
Friday 21 November - Hard of Hearing Social Coffee Morning, 10.30am to 12pm - contact to book
Thursday 27 November - Free Follow-Up Hearing Test Clinic - limited availability, contact Cork Deaf Association to book.