As he prepares to wrap up a 28-year tenure at PA Hospital’s Prosthetics and Orthotics unit, ESO Lawrence Molloy is “not retiring but rewiring,” tuning into his calling to be an ambassador for the Audiology unit’s Hearing Aid Bank (HAB) where his own journey with hearing loss found its turning point.
Diagnosed with Ménière’s disease in 1986, Lawrence had first-hand experience of the manifold impact of degenerative hearing loss.
“Loss of hearing is incredibly isolating. Over time, you start to withdraw from life,” he said.
“I had my first bout of Ménière’s in 1986, and by the time I started at PAH in 1995 my hearing was diminishing and it was affecting every part of my life.”
With the support of his team at PAH, Lawrence was referred to the HAB where he was fitted with a life-changing hearing aid.
“Getting a hearing aid opened up my quality of life, both personally and professionally.”
Equipped with a newfound confidence and a pay-it-forward mindset, Lawrence has donated back his own hearing aids to the HAB over the years and advocates for others to do the same.
“This is technology that can be moved on, so why not pass it on to the next generation?”
As the HAB team works towards expanding the service to reach most of the state over the next five years using telehealth, HAB Audiologist David Patmore says the need for hearing aid donations is greater than ever.
“The average hearing aid has a five-year lifespan, and a lot of them end up in the bin as people upgrade or pass away. Many people don’t know we can recycle and reuse them here at the HAB,” he said.
“If we can get the word out and build up a bit of a stockpile now, we can help more people as the service grows.”
Lawrence and David look forward to working together to reach more vulnerable Queenslanders with the life-changing devices.
“I know what it's like not to hear and I know what it's like to not feel safe,” Lawrence said.
“If this program can eliminate that problem for those in crisis, refugees and those in correctional facilities, it's not a bad legacy to leave behind.”
To donate a hearing aid or find out more about the HAB visit: Hearing Aid Bank | Metro South Health.