Level 1, 16 University Avenue
Macquarie University NSW 2109
Supporting adults with hearing loss
Collaborating with key stakeholders to deliver supports that enable adults with hearing loss to optimally participate in their communities and maintain their independence and quality of life.
This program is underpinned by the principles of co-design where we combine lived experience and professional expertise to development interventions that are acceptable, feasible and scalable.
Learn more about the projects we are undertaking in this area and the research teams involved.
Walk, Talk and Listen
Funded by: Macquarie University
We aim to develop and evaluate the Walk, Talk and Listen intervention to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation among older adults with hearing loss.
Delivered virtually over Zoom by an accredited exercise physiologist, the Walk, Talk and Listen intervention involves small group sessions incorporating:
- socialisation
- physical activity
- auditory rehabilitation.
Project lead: Dr Diana Tang
Members:
- Dr Fadwa Alnafjan
- Nick Bender (Walk+Talk Community Interest Company)
- Professor Baminin Gopinath
- Associate Professor Carly Johnco
- Associate Professor Charlotte Jones (University of British Columbia)
- Shermin Lim (Flinders University)
- Dr Rona Macniven
- Phillip Nakad
- Dr Yvonne Tran
Contact: mimansa.thakore@mq.edu.au for more information or to get involved in the program.
Movement, Interaction and Nutrition for Greater Lifestyles in the Elderly (MINGLE)
Funded by: Macular Disease Foundation Australia
We aim to develop and evaluate the MINGLE intervention to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation among older adults with vision loss due to macular disease.
Delivered virtually over Zoom by an accredited exercise physiologist, the MINGLE intervention involves small group sessions incorporating:
- socialisation
- physical activity
- nutrition and health education.
Project lead: Dr Diana Tang
Members:
- Nick Bender (Walk+Talk Community Interest Company)
- Professor Baminin Gopinath
- Associate Professor Charlotte Jones (University of British Columbia)
- Shermin Lim (Flinders University)
- Dr Rona Macniven
Contact: mimansa.thakore@mq.edu.au for more information or to get involved in the program.
Hear4Health
Funded by: NHMRC
The aim of this study is to co-design an Australian-first online support service for adults with hearing loss. This digital offering will act as a central reference point through which adults with hearing loss can access key information, support, or targeted person-centred interventions leading to improved self-efficacy and self-management of their hearing health.
Project lead: Dr Alicia Zou
Members:
- Professor Bamini Gopinath
- Professor Catherine McMahon
- Professor Kerry Sherman
- Dr Diana Tang
- Professor Andrew Georgiou
- Dr Simon O'Toole
- Associate Professor Annie Lau
- Jessica Turner
- Associate Professor Melanie Ferguson (Curtin University)
- Dr Liz Gill (University of Sydney)
- Associate Professor Payal Mukherjee (University of Wollongong)
- Emeritus Professor Peter Wolnizer (University of Sydney)
- Steve Williamson (Deafness Forum Australia)
- Dr Simon Carlile (Google)
- Dr Zachary Smith (Cochlear)
Contact: alicia.zou@mq.edu.au for more information or to get involved in the project.
Digital Literacy Program Empowering Seniors with Sensory Loss
Funded by: ARC
The WHO estimates the greatest burden of disability among those aged 60+ results from sensory loss (vision and/or hearing loss).
In this digital wave, seniors with sensory loss are severely disadvantaged when accessing and using online services. Existing digital literacy programs do not adequately cater for seniors with sensory loss.
Therefore, the aim of this project is to co-design and develop a digital literacy program that supports and accommodates the needs of seniors with sensory loss and includes training digital mentors to deliver the program.
Members:
- Professor Bamini Gopinath
- Professor Niloufer Selvadurai
- Associate Professor Kompal Sinha
- Dr Diana Tang
- Professor Lisa Keay (UNSW)
- Associate Professor Melanie Ferguson (Curtin University)
- Professor Chyrisse Heine (Federation University Australia)
- Dr Sheela Kumaran (UNSW)
- Richard Scenna (YourLink)
- Dr Caitlin Barr (SoundFair Australia)
- Brendan Lonergan (Hearing Matters Australia)
- Claudia Odello (Meals on Wheels NSW)
- Victor Lee (Communiteer)
- Alison Jones (Collective Leisure)
- Angela Jaeschke (Blind Citizens Australia)
SOUND-BITES
Funded by: Cochlear – Macquarie University Joint Research Fund, NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN)
SOUND-BITES will deliver a novel model of hearing care delivered outside of a clinical setting. Together with Meals on Wheels (MoW) NSW, we will co-design and implement a pilot study where MoW volunteers are trained to support clients to take a hearing test using the Sound Scouts app and discuss their test findings.
Common signs of hearing loss and impacts of unaddressed hearing loss will be communicated. Those with suspected hearing loss and potential unmet need (eg not owning a hearing aid and/or cochlear implant, low/no usage of current hearing device), will be referred to GP/audiologist for further assessment.
Members:
- Professor Bamini Gopinath
- Associate Professor Kompal Sinha
- Dr John Newall
- Dr Diana Tang
- Jessica Turner
- Dominque Sepulveda
- Dr Mark Flynn (University of Newcastle, Sound Scouts)
- Claudia Odello (Meals on Wheels NSW)
- Stephen Klineberg (Cochlear)
Contact: jessica.turner@mq.edu.au for more information or to get involved in the project.