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Age-related hearing loss can impact adversely on the delivery of primary care and cannot necessarily be remedied by hearing aid technology. A study of 20 older Australians living in a Queensland retirement village and residential hostel complex was undertaken to investigate how communication might be advanced through an assistive listening device (ALD). Most participants were women aged over 85 years; almost all had hearing loss and wore hearing aids. Tests with an ALD found very high levels of satisfaction with understanding speech and sound quality amongst participants. However, few had heard previously of ALDs, all required individualised assistance to fit and use the device and rated ease of use less highly. The findings affirm those of previous studies that ALD technology has a role in communication for older hearing impaired people and for hearing rehabilitation. Its potential to enhance quality of life can be facilitated and promoted through nursing practice, but requires professional and consumer education so that it is not overlooked as a communication option.

Aboriginal reconciliation is a process intended to address indigenous disadvantage through education and the promotion of a wider understanding of the unique position of indigenous Australians. The emergence in Queensland of an extremist, right wing political force, explicitly antagonistic to issues fundamental to the process of reconciliation, has alarmed educators and teachers. While a good deal of attention has focused on the views of adults, little is known about those of young people. Based on research undertaken with primary school children, this article details students' understanding of various elements of reconciliation. It argues that young people's engagement with reconciliation is underpinned by racial and racist associations and if reconciliation is to be achieved, it is important toaddress the context of these racialised understandings.