Three women standing beside Agile Library van, with books on shelving in background
NEW PARTNERSHIP:   (from left) Community Hearing Advisor - Hearing Australia Lauren Mason, Chief First Nations Officer for Playgroups NSW Kellie Murray, and Agile Library Officer Rachael Downes during the visit by Hearing Australia to the Ngurra Hub at Ashmont with Wagga Wagga City Library’s Agile Library Service.

Community

Library partners with Hearing Australia to deliver free hearing tests to residents

Published: 09 Feb 2024 11:17am

Wagga Wagga City Library has established a partnership with Hearing Australia to deliver free hearing tests to residents across the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area throughout February and March.

The initiative, which commenced on Monday (5 February), will see Hearing Australia offer free hearing tests for anyone aged over 18 years at various Agile Library sites in suburban and rural villages across the local government area, as well as at the main library site in the Civic Centre.

Agile Library Van with First Nations Ngurra Hub building in background
OUT & ABOUT: The Agile Library at the Ngurra Hub in Ashmont. The service visits various locations across the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area.

Library Services Manager Christine Bolton said local residents will be able to come along and receive a free 15-minute hearing check, speak with a Hearing Australia consultant about good hearing health and find out information on a range of common hearing issues.

“The library is delighted to be partnering with Hearing Australia because we share many of the same values, including fostering community connections, equity and access, and making a positive difference to people's lives through our programs and services no matter where you live in the local government area,” Ms Bolton said.

One in six Australians currently have some form of hearing loss, representing around 3.6 million people.

Back view of woman wearing headphones and pressing button on desk as part of hearing test.
TESTING TIME: Wiradjuri mental wellbeing worker Jasmine Williams undergoes a free hearing test offered by Hearing Australia during a visit to the Ngurra Hub by the Agile Library Service.

Hearing Australia has provided expert hearing care to Australians of all ages and from all walks of life for more than 75 years.

Community Hearing Advisor - Hearing Australia Lauren Mason is excited about partnering with the Agile Library team as they visit our suburbs and rural villages, including Ashmont, Oura, Currawarna, Ladysmith, Humula, Mangoplah and Tarcutta.

“I'm enjoying getting out and about in the community, talking to people about their hearing health and where they're up to on their hearing journey,” Ms Mason said.

"We're not trying to sell people anything; we just want them to have an awareness of their hearing ability and have the chance to access regular checks.”

Two women standing underneath a tree, with one woman taking notes on a large notepad
COMMUNITY BENEFIT: Oura resident Carmel Campbell welcomes the opportunity to get a free hearing test with Community Hearing Advisor - Hearing Australia Lauren Mason, during the Agile Library team’s visit to the village.

This week, the Agile Library and Hearing Australia team visited Oura, Currawarna and the Ngurra Hub at Ashmont, and next week, they will head to Ladysmith and Humula on Wednesday (14 February).