Events

It’s Deafness Awareness Week Australia!

Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event that celebrates the Deaf Community. In Australia, Deaf Awareness Week 2025 will take place from May 6th to May 12th.

This week is a vital reminder of the importance of hearing health and supporting those in our community with hearing loss.

Addressing hearing loss sooner rather than later is crucial for maintaining cognitive function, social connections, and overall quality of life. Research consistently shows that early intervention with hearing aids can significantly slow cognitive decline, improve communication abilities, and enhance overall well-being for individuals with hearing loss.

We understand that exploring hearing solutions can feel like a big step. That’s why this Deafness Awareness Week, we want to highlight some of the innovative options available and make it easier for you to experience the difference they can make.

Featured this week are some of the latest advancements in hearing technology:

Starkey Genesis AI 24: Representing the pinnacle of AI-powered hearing technology, these hearing aids provide exceptional sound clarity, advanced noise reduction, and integrated health tracking capabilities, adapting seamlessly to your listening needs.

Signia Silk Charge&Go IX: These are incredibly discreet, ready-to-wear hearing aids that fit deep in the ear canal, offering a virtually invisible hearing solution with advanced features for clear sound in various environments.

Audeara Earbuds Bundle: Designed specifically for individuals with hearing loss, Audeara earbuds offer a custom-tuned audio experience, allowing you to enjoy music, podcasts, and calls with clarity tailored to your unique hearing profile.

To help you take that important first step towards better hearing, we’re offering a no-obligation at-home trial of select hearing solutions this week only. Experience the benefits in your own environment, on your own terms, and discover how these technologies can improve your daily life.

Don’t let hearing loss hold you back. Take action this Deafness Awareness Week. Contact us today on 02 6281 0222 to book your no-obligation at-home trial and learn more about how we can help you hear your best!

Book online:
https://michellerichardshearing.com.au/book-an-appointment/

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DeafBlind Awareness Week is an annual event that takes place during the last week of June. It aims to raise public awareness about individuals who have combined hearing and vision loss. This national advocacy campaign has been held each year since 1984 when President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation in recognition of this special week. The purpose of DeafBlind Awareness Week is to promote a better understanding of the challenges faced by DeafBlind individuals and to celebrate their unique abilities and contributions to society.

During DeafBlind Awareness Week, various organizations and advocates host events and activities to increase public awareness and promote inclusivity and accessibility for DeafBlind individuals. The week coincides with the birthday of Helen Keller on June 27, 1880, who was a prominent figure in advocating for the rights of DeafBlind individuals.

In Australia nearly 100,000 are reported to be deafblind, two-thirds are over the age of 65 years. The awareness week serves as a platform to highlight the strengths and contributions of the DeafBlind community, emphasizing their potential in the workforce and society at large.

The campaign encourages a better understanding of DeafBlind culture, challenges stereotypes, and emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in all aspects of life, including education, employment, and social interactions.

Safe Listening Week is a campaign held in Australia during the last week of August to promote safe listening habits and raise awareness about protecting one’s hearing. The initiative aims to educate individuals on the importance of preventing hearing loss caused by exposure to loud sounds, especially in recreational settings. The focus is on encouraging people to adopt safe listening practices, such as monitoring sound levels, limiting exposure to loud noises, and using tools like apps to track and manage sound intensity.

During Safe Listening Week, various resources are made available to the public, including social media posts, fact sheets, newsletters, and web articles about safe listening. These materials provide information on how to protect one’s hearing while enjoying music or attending events where loud sounds are present. The campaign also emphasizes the need for regular hearing check-ups and proactive management of hearing health, particularly among young individuals who are at a higher risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening habits.

The overarching goal of Safe Listening Week aligns with the international initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) called “Make Listening Safe.” This global effort aims to create a world where people can engage in recreational listening activities without compromising their hearing health. By promoting evidence-based standards, increasing awareness about safe listening practices, and investing in research on hearing loss prevention, WHO and its partners work towards reducing the prevalence of noise-induced hearing damage worldwide.

In summary, Safe Listening Week serves as a platform to educate individuals about the risks associated with prolonged exposure to loud sounds and encourages them to adopt behaviors that protect their hearing for long-term well-being.

International Day of Sign Languages: The International Day of Sign Languages is a day designated by the United Nations to raise awareness about the importance of sign languages in ensuring the human rights of deaf individuals. It is celebrated annually on September 23rd. The day aims to support and protect the linguistic identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users worldwide. Sign languages are recognized as fully fledged natural languages, distinct from spoken languages, and play a crucial role in the lives of deaf communities.

Week of the Deaf: The International Week of the Deaf is a global event that takes place during the last full week of September (Monday through Sunday), culminating with the International Day of the Deaf on the last Sunday of that week. This week-long celebration is organized by the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) and its national associations, aiming to promote human rights through sign languages, highlight deaf culture, and showcase the achievements of deaf individuals in a positive light. It serves as an opportunity to foster solidarity among deaf communities and their supporters while advocating for greater recognition and inclusion.

National Safe Work Month is an annual campaign celebrated every October in Australia. It is a time dedicated to promoting and raising awareness about work health and safety, emphasizing the importance of creating safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians. The campaign encourages businesses, employers, and workers to commit to improving safety practices, managing risks, protecting mental health, supporting all workers, and ensuring overall workplace safety throughout the month.

During National Safe Work Month, various activities and events are organized to engage stakeholders in discussions about workplace safety. The theme of the campaign changes each year to focus on different aspects of health and safety at work. The overarching goal is to foster a culture of safety consciousness and proactive risk management in workplaces across Australia.

Through initiatives like hosting SafeTea chats, attending events, utilizing resources for creating safe workplaces, participating in safety training programs, and leveraging online tools and materials provided by organizations like SafeWork NSW and SafeWork SA, participants can enhance their understanding of workplace safety practices and contribute to building safer work environments.

National Safe Work Month serves as a reminder that no job should compromise the well-being of individuals, emphasizing that every worker has the right to a safe work environment free from harm or injury. By engaging in National Safe Work Month activities and initiatives, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to prioritizing the health and safety of their employees while fostering a culture of continuous improvement in occupational safety standards.

In summary, National Safe Work Month is an important annual campaign in Australia that promotes work health and safety by encouraging businesses, employers, and workers to prioritize workplace safety through various activities and initiatives throughout the month of October.

Protecting your hearing at work guide for employers

For more resources, visit the SafeWork Australia website to access:

• Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work
• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks
• Workplace safety regulations
• Managing risks