Supporting Communication in Retirement Villages
As we age, hearing changes — but the impact of hearing loss is rarely just about volume. It’s about connection.
Across retirement villages in Aotearoa, people are sharing meals, joining activities, and taking part in everyday moments that shape belonging. When sound becomes harder to follow, participation can gradually diminish.
Our Retirement Village Outreach Programme delivers practical, respectful hearing health services directly to communities — while equipping village teams with the confidence and knowledge to create more accessible spaces.
This initiative forms part of our broader commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion for Deaf and hard of hearing people throughout New Zealand.
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Why Hearing Health Matters in Later Life
Hearing changes are common in later life, but often go unnoticed. They can affect confidence, connection and participation, and are increasingly linked to cognitive decline. Early support can help protect wellbeing and quality of life.
What Happens When We Visit
Our outreach visits are welcoming, practical and delivered on site at no cost. Sessions include complimentary hearing checks, hearing aid cleaning, battery replacement, NZSL activities and guidance on when further support may be helpful.
Supporting The Staff
Inclusion doesn’t stop with a screening. Our workshops help retirement village teams better support residents experiencing hearing challenges through practical, real-world strategies.
What We’re Seeing in Retirement Villages
Our outreach shows 78% of attendees have hearing loss, 50% use hearing aids, 71% struggle in communal areas, 33% avoid group activities, and 50% want staff to better understand their needs.
Bring Hearing Support Directly To Your Village
Register your interest to host a visit from our team. We’ll work with you to understand your residents’ needs and organise a session that supports communication, connection, and wellbeing.
Our visits are practical, welcoming, and easy to host — with minimal disruption to your day.
Once you register, a member of our team will be in touch to discuss next steps.
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Invite Us to Visit Your Village
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Thank you for registering interest, a member of our staff will get in touch with you shortly.
Resident Voices
“After the workshop, my husband finally decided to have his hearing checked.”
“It was such a relief not having to travel to a clinic.”
“It made me feel included.”
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Continuing The Conversation
For many individuals and families, a village visit marks the beginning of a broader journey.
If you or someone close to you would like guidance on:
- Recognising hearing changes
- Supporting a family member
- Managing hearing aids
- Improving day-to-day communication
We’ve developed practical resources like our Hearing Aid Guide to help people move forward with clarity and confidence.
For those facing financial barriers to accessing hearing aids, our Hearing Aid Fund offers small grants to help ease the cost — because staying connected should never be limited by affordability.
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See What Else We Do
Hearing Aid Fund
If you require hearing aids but cost is prohibitive, you can apply for a grant from the NFD Trust. Funding rounds open each year.
Workplace Hearing Awareness
We help organisations create hearing-aware and accessible workplaces through education, communication access initiatives, and accreditation.
School Hearing Screening
Helping identify hearing concerns early so children can stay connected, confident, and ready to learn.
Read our Community Stories
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