OVER 40 YEARS OF SERVICE
HEARING ASSISTANCE DOGS
Since 1980, Australian Lions Hearing Dogs (ALHD) have provided a set of ‘furry ears’ to many hundreds of Australians, this is all made possible from the ongoing support of our generous donors and the Lions Clubs across Australia. Each Hearing Assistance Dog costs ALHD just under $40,000 to train, deliver and support. However, they go to their recipients free of charge, a gift from ALHD and the Lions Clubs of Australia in helping the Australian community.
One in six Australians has some form of hearing loss, with this number expecting to rise to one in four by 2050. Severe or profound hearing loss currently affects close to 400,000 people. Whilst hearing loss impacts all ages, the numbers are greater in the older generations.
The technological advances with hearing aids and cochlear implants continue to improve. However, there are times when something extra is needed. This is where the complementary assistance of an Australian Lions Hearing Dog makes a real difference.
HOW OUR DOGS WORK WITH YOU
The technology embedded in hearing aids and cochlear implants is consistently evolving and is significantly enhancing the quality of lives for many Australians. They do not however work for everyone living with hearing loss and people don’t wear their devices all the time, for example, removing a hearing aid when going to bed. Whether as a stand-alone or complementary assistance to hearing aid devices, our Hearing Assistance Dogs provide help in day-to-day living, as well as provide an added level of assurance and emotional connectedness in peoples’ lives.
The use of hearing aid devices and Hearing Assistance Dogs are providing significant quality of life improvements, in particular:
- Improved interpersonal relationships
- Improved mental and physical health
- Extended social activity and community interaction
- Reduction in discrimination against the person with the hearing loss
- Reduction in anger and frustration
- Greater earning power and opportunities for employment (especially for those with severe hearing loss)
- A lower incidence of depression
- Improved safety and security
