The Australian Hearing bus is stopping by the Port Douglas Markets and Woolworths Mossman this weekend to offer free hearing checks and raise hearing health awareness.

With an 11-strong fleet of ‘blue and white buses’, the mobile hearing service has provided over 40,000 free hearing checks in communities across Australia since the first bus was launched in 2009.

Trudie Causer, Manager at Australian Hearing Cairns, said that because age-related hearing loss develops gradually over time, it is common for people to be unaware their hearing is diminishing.

Hearing loss is a prevalent issue in the community, with around 60 per cent of Australians over 60 suffering from some form of hearing loss.

“A hearing check is a quick and easy way to measure the sounds you can and can’t hear,” Causer said.

“Our team will also be on hand to guide you through what next steps you may have to take in regards to your hearing.”

As well as having a hearing check, visitors to the bus can find information on a range of common hearing issues and view a display of easy-to-use hearing devices for around the home. This includes headsets for watching the TV and alert systems for doorbells.

“Not everyone who is experiencing problems hearing needs a hearing aid,” Causer said.

“Sometimes it’s just hearing the TV at normal volumes, hearing your doorbell, or hearing your friends on the phone that’s the problem.”

No appointment is necessary when the bus arrives in Port Douglas this weekend. Australian Hearing will provide hearing checks to any interested adults who visit the bus on the day.