Free hearing tests offered on Downtown Eastside

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Posted February 23, 2014 10:39 am.

This article is more than 5 years old.

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – There is some free medical help being offered to people in the country’s poorest postal code, which just so happens to be in our backyard.

Experts will have a mobile hearing truck set up on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside where anyone can walk up and get a free hearing test.

Organizers say it’s not something most people make a priority.

Keela Keeping with the United Gospel Mission says one of their goals is to try and improve the quality of life for those who are struggling. “Being able to have your hearing back again and hear all that’s going on around you, it can increase self-awareness. It’s just one more helpful step.”

She adds consistant drug use and existing health problems can also play a role in hearing loss. “There are ways to help, there are hearing aids, there’s some government funding for places that can provide help. Going from not really being able to hear what is going on to being able to hear can be pretty transformational.”

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