Ideas@theHouse

presented by

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC
Governor of NSW

“Busting Myths, Bridging Gaps:
Public Health Approaches to Hearing Loss in Adults”

Professor Bamini Gopinath
Cochlear Chair in Hearing and Health
Macquarie University Hearing
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences
Macquarie University

Date: Thursday, 28 August 2025, 6.30 – 8.00 pm AEST
Venue: Face-to-face (by invitation for Society members) and live streaming from Government House, Sydney
Registration: Information to follow
Entry: No charge
All are welcome to the live stream

Summary: Despite the high prevalence of adult-onset hearing loss, ear and hearing care is poorly integrated into systems of health in Australia and globally. Public awareness, early detection, and evidence-based interventions are essential to reduce the stigma and improve health outcomes for millions affected by hearing loss. The presentation explores the societal, psychological, and economic consequences of untreated hearing loss, emphasising the need to “bust myths” and reframe public narratives around it.

Drawing from a suite of current public health research initiatives, the presentation showcases landmark studies such as the first Australian Eye and Ear Health Survey, Blue Mountains Eye and Hearing study, and HALOS (Hearing Impairment in Adults: a Longitudinal Outcomes Study). These projects aim to provide high-quality data to inform better policy and service design. Additional focus is given to innovative programs, which seek to enhance service delivery, support, and information provided to adults with hearing loss and therefore, enable equitable access to hearing care and interventions. This includes a current research project that aims to train Meals on Wheels NSW volunteers to screen for hearing loss in clients as part of routine wellbeing checks.

Efforts to develop and implement national and global evidence-based guidelines for adult hearing loss management will also be shared. These guidelines, along with strong stakeholder collaboration and community-driven strategies, aim to ensure that hearing health is recognised as a vital component of public health. Ultimately, the presentation calls for targeted advocacy, clear and stigma-free messaging, and coordinated policy action to support vulnerable populations and advance hearing health equity.

Bamini Gopinath is a leading Australian epidemiologist renowned for her work in sensory loss and public health. She currently serves as the inaugural Cochlear Chair in Hearing and Health at Macquarie University, where she leads the Public Health and Policy Pillar of MU Hearing. In this role, she focuses on enhancing support for individuals with hearing loss, promoting early intervention, and improving engagement with hearing services.

Professor Gopinath’s research is distinguished by its translational impact, aiming to bridge gaps in Australian healthcare. She has co-authored over 275 peer-reviewed papers, many published in high-ranking medical and health journals, and her work has garnered over 9,500 citations. Her studies have provided novel community-based evidence on the health determinants and outcomes associated with sensory loss and disability, influencing health policy and practice.

A notable project led by Professor Gopinath is the Australian Eye and Ear Health Survey, which aims to screen Indigenous and non-Indigenous adults across the country to assess hearing and vision health. Early findings indicate a high prevalence of undiagnosed hearing loss, underscoring the need for increased awareness and intervention. She also currently leads NHMRC and ARC-funded projects that aim to better support adults with hearing and/or vision loss. Her commitment to public health and sensory loss research continues to drive advancements in healthcare delivery and policy, both nationally and internationally.

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