Hearing Aids

What are Hearing Aids?

Hearing Aids are small electronic devices used to improve your hearing. They amplify and sometimes change sound to help those with poor hearing. 

A hearing aid has a:

• microphone
• amplifier
• speaker
• battery.

The microphone picks up sounds, the amplifier makes them louder and the speaker sends them to your ear.

There are 2 main types of Hearing Aid:

1. Behind-the-ear Hearing Aids
2. In-the-ear Hearing Aids.

Whatever the type, they can vary in:

• appearance
• price
• quality of sound
• size.

Whether you are young or old, Hearing Aids can help with hearing loss.

An Audiologist can perform a hearing test and tell you whether you need Hearing Aids.

Does private health insurance cover Hearing Aids?

If your private health insurance covers Hearing Aids, it falls under Extras Cover.

Ask your insurer whether it covers Hearing Aids.

If so, check whether Hearing Aids are subject to:

• a waiting period before you can make a claim
• an overall health aid limit.

Does Medicare cover Hearing Aids?

No. Medicare does not cover the cost of Hearing Aids. 

Does the Australian Government cover or subsidise the cost of Hearing Aids?

Yes. The Australian Government may, depending on your situation, help you with some or all costs of Hearing Aids through 2 programs:

1. Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP)
2. National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

To be eligible for free or subsidised hearing aids through the HSP, you must:

• hold a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
• receive a Centrelink Sickness Allowance
• hold a DVA Pensioner Concession Card
• hold a DVA Gold Health Repatriation Card
• hold a DVA White Health Repatriation Card (for hearing loss)
• be a dependant of a concession card holder
• be a member of the Australian Defence Force.

If you are not eligible for the HSP but you are an NDIS participant, the NDIS may fund your Hearing Aids.

While you can access the NDIS and the HSP at the same time, you cannot get the same support from both programs at the same time.

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