Ear health and hearing

Ear and hearing health is important to health and wellbeing. Untreated hearing loss and ear disease can have a big impact on the lives of children and adults alike. Find out what we’re doing to raise awareness of ear health and help prevent hearing loss in Australia.

About ear health

Why ear health is important and what causes hearing loss and ear disease.

What we’re doing

What we’re doing to raise awareness about ear health and help prevent hearing loss.

Hearing Services Program

Aims to reduce the impact of hearing loss through access to hearing services and devices for eligible people.

Indigenous ear health

Information about programs to help prevent, treat and monitor ear disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

National Relay Service

If you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service to access any of the department's contact phone numbers. The service is available 24 hours a day from anywhere in Australia.

Key framework

The Roadmap for Hearing Health, developed by the Hearing Health Sector Committee, outlines actions various stakeholders can take to improve hearing health in Australia. This includes state and territory governments, consumer and community groups, suppliers, providers, manufacturers and researchers.

Roadmap for Hearing Health

Did you know?

1 in 6

Australians experience some form of hearing loss

For 1 in 3

Australians with hearing loss, it could have been prevented

Only 1 in 5

Australians who would benefit from a hearing aid use one

Source: Access economics

Latest resources

Latest resources

Research Strategy – Hearing Health

This strategy outlines the way hearing health research activities are undertaken by the National Acoustic Laboratories using Hearing Services Program funding, providing visibility to the hearing health sector and broader community.
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Care for Kids’ Ears talking book

The Care for Kids’ Ears – Strong hearing, strong start talking book explains the importance of ear health and getting regular ear checks.
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Care for Kids’ Ears – Strong hearing, strong start video

The Care for Kids’ Ears – Strong hearing, strong start video shows teachers, parents and health care workers talk about the importance of ear health and getting regular ear checks.
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Care for Kids’ Ears – Strong hearing, strong start video, Auslan

The Care for Kids’ Ears – Strong hearing, strong start video – with Auslan translation – shows teachers, parents and health care workers talk about the importance of ear health and getting regular ear checks.