Macquarie University Hearing is conducting two research studies which aim to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation among adults 50 years and over with hearing loss or vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration.

Walk, Talk and Listen over Zoom and the Movement, Interaction and Nutrition for Greater Lifestyles in the Elderly (MINGLE) studies aim to evaluate interventions to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation among older adults with hearing loss and vision loss due to macular disease, respectively.

These 10-week interventions are delivered virtually over Zoom by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. They are small group sessions incorporating socialisation, physical activity and auditory rehabilitation and/or health education. We are looking for volunteers to participate in the following lifestyle programs:

 Walk, Talk and Listen over Zoom

Volunteers who are:

· Aged 50 years and over

· Have a hearing loss

· Speak fluent English

· Have access to a device with a front-facing camera

· Have clearance to participate in exercise from their GP or pass the PARQ+ questionnaire

MINGLE

Volunteers who are:

· Aged 50 years and over

· Have a diagnosis of age-related macular degeneration

· Speak fluent English

· Have access to a device with a front-facing camera

· Have clearance to participate in exercise from their GP or pass the PARQ+ questionnaire

Volunteers for either study will be reimbursed a $50 gift card.

For more information or to express interest in either study, please contact Mimansa Thakore on:

T: +61 2 9850 8753

E: mimansa.thakore@mq.edu.au

Ethics approval: Walk, Talk and Listen over Zoom #11257/ MINGLE #10007