Hearing changes can impact much more than communication alone.
For many older Australians, hearing loss can gradually affect confidence, safety, social connection, participation in daily activities and overall wellbeing. Tasks that once felt simple — answering the phone, attending appointments, participating in conversations with family or hearing environmental sounds around the home — can begin to feel exhausting or isolating.
At Forbes Care, our Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program has been designed to support individuals to continue living safely, independently and meaningfully within their own homes and communities.
Our Occupational Therapists work alongside individuals to identify barriers created by hearing loss and develop practical, personalised strategies to improve daily functioning and participation.
This is not a one-size-fits-all program.
Every person’s hearing journey, communication preferences, home environment and goals are different. Our role is to understand what matters most to the individual and provide support that is realistic, functional and meaningful within everyday life.
The program is designed within a reablement framework, meaning we focus on building confidence, independence and sustainable strategies rather than creating unnecessary dependence on services.
Our Occupational Therapists can assist with:
Hearing changes can impact awareness of important environmental sounds such as:
We assess the home environment and recommend practical solutions and assistive technology to improve safety and accessibility.
Communication fatigue is real.
Our team can help individuals and families develop strategies that support clearer communication within the home and community environments. This may include environmental modifications, routines, visual supports and technology recommendations.
There are many tools available that can support participation and independence for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Depending on the individual’s goals, this may include:
We help individuals navigate what options may best suit their needs, routines and lifestyle.
Hearing changes can sometimes lead individuals to withdraw socially due to fatigue, frustration or reduced confidence.
Our Occupational Therapists support individuals to continue engaging in activities, relationships and community environments that are important to them.
To help explain what Occupational Therapy support can look like in everyday life, we’ve also shared a short video scenario example exploring how hearing changes may impact someone within their home and community routines, along with the types of supports and strategies that may assist.
While this video can help provide a practical understanding of the program, it is important to remember that every individual’s experience with hearing loss is different. The scenario shared does not represent every person’s needs, preferences or goals, and Occupational Therapy recommendations are always tailored to the individual, their environment and what matters most to them.
🎥 Watch the video here:
At Forbes Care, we understand that hearing loss affects more than hearing alone.
It can influence:
Our Occupational Therapists take time to understand the whole person, not just the hearing changes themselves.
We work collaboratively with participants, families and other health professionals to create practical supports that fit into real life.
Our Occupational Therapists provide support within homes and community environments across:
Services can be accessed through:
If you would like to learn more about Forbes Care’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program or whether Occupational Therapy may be able to support you or a loved one, our team would be happy to have a conversation.
🌐 www.forbes.care
📞 Contact Forbes Care to speak with our team.
Get ready to be inspired, informed, and involved in the future of Occupational Therapy! We look forward to welcoming you to the Next Gen OT Summit.
To book an appointment with an occupational therapist, please call 07 5220 8909 or submit a referral form below.
General Practitioners can send referrals to:
Email: hello@forbes.care
Fax: 07 5302 6482
Address: Shop 15/102 Burnett St, Buderim
Join our team of passionate occupational therapists and help individuals reach their full potential. We offer a supportive work environment, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to be part of a dynamic team.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Visit our careers page to learn more about our open positions and apply today!
Forbes Care and all those that dwell within, acknowledge the traditional Custodians of the land, the Gubbi Gubbi people, and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Forbes Care welcomes all peoples who identify as LGBTQIA+, and those with other diverse genders and sexualities.
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