Free Hearing Care Program Aids Elderly in Rural Hengchun

Elderly residents in the rural Hengchun township of Pingtung County are receiving free hearing assessments and consultations through the "Pingtung Heavenly Sound Project." Legislator Chung Chia-pin facilitated the initiative, partnering with the Taiwan Heavenly Sound Train Association to bring audiology services to the southernmost part of Taiwan. The program addresses the common issue of hearing loss among the aging population in the region, where limited medical resources often exacerbate the problem. Many elderly individuals struggle with communication, frequently asking others to repeat themselves, a situation that can also pose safety risks, especially with the increasing number of quiet electric vehicles on the roads. The project, now in its second year, aims to provide not only assessments but also hearing aids for those who qualify. Organizers highlighted that hearing loss can significantly increase the risk of dementia and falls, underscoring the importance of addressing the issue for the well-being and safety of seniors.

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Grandpa, Grandma, if you can't hear clearly normally, do you always have to say 'huh' back and forth?