After a long and costly journey through the private health system, Ukrainian refugee Tamara says the cost of a hearing aid was more than she could afford.
“Even the cheapest option from a private provider was over $1,000. After multiple private and specialist appointments, I just couldn’t afford it.”
Tamara was overwhelmed with gratitude and relief when she discovered she was eligible for a new hearing aid – totally free of charge thanks to Princess Alexandra Hospital’s Hearing Aid Bank (HAB).
With her daughter and interpreter by her side, Tamara met with Audiologist, David Patmore at the HAB to be fitted with a hearing aid for the first time.
“I’m so grateful to have access to a service like this.
“I started taking English language classes at TAFE because I want to work. It’s hard enough learning a new language, but attending classes with hearing loss makes it even harder.
“Being able to access this service means I can understand what’s going on around me now. I can hear everything, and that’s life-changing for me.”
The HAB, established as a crisis intervention service to assist Category 1 and 2 patients who are at risk of emergent deterioration and facing complex care needs, re-opened its doors in January after closing due to COVID.
Director of Audiology, David da Silva says the HAB team was pleased to welcome their first patient, a man who, much like Tamara, had escaped the war in Ukraine and looked forward to learning English.
“He was so grateful and delighted to be fitted with hearing aids to enable him to better communicate with his family. He is now also more confident to participate in his English language classes.”
David says the program has reviewed and streamlined its referral criteria to ensure its services are reaching high-priority patients who cannot afford hearing aids or who are ineligible for government-subsidised hearing services.
Since re-opening, the HAB has fitted 14 patients from a diversity of backgrounds and socioeconomic circumstances.
The HAB fits hearing aids that have been generously donated by audiology clinics and private individuals throughout Queensland.
David says the HAB is grateful for its partner services, who have supported the project through its re-launch.
“The Hearing Aid Bank is a long-standing collaborative project that wouldn’t be possible without the support of our partner services, The University of Queensland and Better Hearing Australia.”
To be eligible under the HAB program, patients must hold a current Health Care Card.
More information and eligibility criteria can be found at: https://metrosouth.health.qld.gov.au/referrals/audiology/hearing-aid-bank
Find out how to donate your new and used hearing aids and/or accessories and consumables (e.g. batteries, domes, wax filters).