PRESS RELEASE: New Resources Reframe Hearing Health as Everyday Self-Care for Mental Health & Wellbeing

Media Release

For Immediate Release
25 August 2025

New Resources Reframe Hearing Health as Everyday Self-Care for Mental Health & Wellbeing

Deafness Forum Australia launches empowerment-focused tools during Safe Listening Week 2025 to help Australians, especially young people, build simple and lasting hearing health habits.

[Canberra, ACT] – Deafness Forum Australia today launched a new suite of hearing health resources on its Hearing Health Resource Hub, timed to coincide with Safe Listening Week 2025 (25–31 August). Developed with community input, the safe listening resources aim to help Australians—especially young people—build lasting habits that protect hearing, strengthen mental wellbeing, and support everyday connection.

Building on established approaches to hearing health, the new campaign introduces a fresh perspective: viewing hearing care as self-care. Just as sunscreen protects skin and exercise supports mental health, safe listening is framed as a simple daily habit—one that builds confidence, strengthens social connection, and supports overall wellbeing. With hearing loss rates continuing to rise, this focus on empowerment and everyday action offers an important new dimension in how communities can protect hearing over the long term.

Why It Matters
• 1 in 6 Australians currently experience hearing loss — projected to rise to 1 in 4 by 2050.
• Young people are at particularly high risk, with nearly 1 in 2 exposed to unsafe sound levels through personal devices or entertainment venues.
• Hearing loss isn’t just about sound—it is strongly linked to stress, social withdrawal, and depression.
• Protecting hearing can also help protect mental wellbeing, by supporting stronger communication, social connection, and confidence.
• Deafness Forum’s own research earlier this year confirmed that people with hearing loss often face additional challenges around mental health and access to support.

Encouragingly, consultations revealed that many young people are already taking steps to protect their hearing, often without realising it. The new resources build on these everyday behaviours—emphasising practical, positive actions that complement risk‑based messages and make healthy listening habits easier to sustain over time.

What’s New
The newly released resources include:
• Safe Listening Action Plan: A practical, step-by-step guide to building healthy hearing habits.
• Safe Listening Snapshot: Beyond Volume: A report on how young people engage with sound, and why self-care framing may resonate more strongly than risk messaging alone.
• Safe Listening Social Media Tiles: Shareable graphics offering quick, actionable tips for individuals, schools, health services, and communities.
All resources are free to download and share from the Hub.

The Human Story
“Losing your hearing isn’t just a sound problem—it’s a life problem,” said Jane Lee, National Director, Hearing Health at Deafness Forum Australia.
“Safe listening is really about giving yourself the best chance to connect, belong, and feel good. These resources make hearing care as natural as putting on sunscreen or brushing your teeth.”

She added, “The most encouraging thing is that young people are already taking steps to protect their hearing. These tools are about backing them up—helping good habits stick so they last a lifetime.”

Call to Action
All new resources are available now at the Hearing Health Resources Hub:
🔗 https://www.deafnessforum.org.au/resources/hearinghealthresourceshub

Media Contact
Jane Lee
National Director, Hearing Health
Deafness Forum Australia
[email protected]

About Safe Listening Week
Held annually in the last week of August, Safe Listening Week is now in its third year. The 2025 theme is “Turn It Up Right”, encouraging Australians to adopt smart, positive listening habits as part of everyday self-care.

About Deafness Forum Australia
As the national, independent peak body for Australians living with deafness, Deafness, or hearing loss, Deafness Forum Australia advocates for hearing health and wellbeing to be recognised as national priorities—so every Australian can thrive and participate fully in society.