The National Centre for Farmer Health and Deafness Forum Australia have launched a new hearing health module in the Shifting Gears farm safety education program for students, to celebrate World Hearing Day (3 March). The module provides young people in agricultural communities with essential knowledge about hearing health, noise exposure risks and preventative measures to reduce the impact of noise-induced hearing loss.
NCFH Senior Lecturer/Researcher Dr Jacquie Cotton said that globally, a large proportion of people under the age of 24 are exposed to high levels of noise, and hearing damage is not limited to older people.
“Young people aged between 15-24 are in a great position to learn about and adopt good hearing practices,” Dr Cotton said.
“Hearing loss isn’t something that only affects older people. Many young people living and working in agricultural communities are exposed to hazardous noise levels early in life through tractors and machinery, chainsaws, livestock, shearing sheds and working dogs.
“The new hearing health module in Shifting Gears aims to empower students to take charge of their hearing health, enabling them to prevent long term hearing damage, enjoy longer careers and reduce the risk of hearing loss in the future.”
Shifting Gears is a teacher-led program designed to support farm safety education among students, particularly those living on farms, studying agriculture and horticulture, or considering careers in these fields. It addresses the need for age- and context-appropriate education materials, providing audiovisual resources, interactive activities, and teacher-led discussion guides to foster learning and engagement among students.
The hearing health module is a partnership between the NCFH and Deafness Forum Australia, the national representative body for all Australians with hearing challenges, ear or balance disorders, and their families and supporters.
Deafness Forum Australia CEO Rhonda Locke said the new content will help students understand that hearing health plays a crucial role in their overall wellbeing and physical, mental and social health and that small steps today can positively impact the rest of their lives.
“The hearing health module in Shifting Gears makes it easier for students and educators to access evidence-based hearing health resources, and improves understanding of the risks around prolonged noise exposure on the farm. It promotes consistent use of hearing protection and safe hearing practices, and how these habits can be integrated into daily life,” Ms Locke said.
The Shifting Gears program allows teachers to access free, easy-to-use resources that can be incorporated into their lesson plans and align with the health education curriculum.
For more information on the program and to access the resources, visit farmerhealth.org.au/shifting-gears-2.
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Media contacts
National Centre for Farmer Health
Dr Jacquie Cotton – Senior Lecturer/Researcher
P: 03 5551 8533 | E: jacquie.cotton@wdhs.net
Deafness Forum Australia
Ruth Bailey – Manager, Hearing Health
E: ruth.bailey@deafnessforum.org.au
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