Hearing loss affects one in six Australian. This number is expected to increase to one in four Australians by 2050¹. Among the leading causes of hearing loss are exposure to loud sounds and ageing. Untreated hearing loss can have a range of consequences depending on the individual’s lifestyle and the degree of hearing impairment including reduced ability to communicate and participate is social situation. This can lead to stress, withdrawal, depression and can impact their independence, education, employment opportunities and social and personal relationships.

The Australian Government recognises the consequences of hearing loss can affect the quality of life of Australians. The Australian Government Hearing Services Program aims to reduce the impact of hearing loss by providing eligible people, including veterans, with access to hearing services. Services include a choice of service provider, comprehensive hearing assessments, advise and support about hearing loss, and if needed, access to quality fully subsidised hearing devices, and a contribution to the maintenance of these devices.

The Hearing Services Program ensures that clients have access to hearing support from qualified practitioners and are able to access good quality hearing technology. HSP allows its clients to receive hearing services through two program components:

1) The Voucher Program

The Voucher Program provides eligible clients with an electronically recorded voucher, which provides access to a range of specific hearing services over a 3-year period. Most clients are aged pension concession card holders. The services are provided to eligible clients by contracted private service providers and Australian Hearing Services (Australian Hearing).

Eligibility requirements to receive the services are:

Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents 21 years or older and:

• the holder of a Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Pensioner Concession Card;
• the holder of a Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card (issued for all conditions);
• the holder of a Department of Veterans Affairs White Card (issued for conditions that include hearing loss);
• receiving Sickness Allowance from Centrelink;
• a dependent of a person in one of the above categories;
• a member of the Australian Defence Force;
• referred by the Disability Employment Services (Disability Management Services) Program; or
• a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant with hearing needs, referred by a planner from the National Disability Insurance Agency.

Please note that a Seniors Health Card does not provide eligibility to the program.

2) Community Service Obligations (CSO)

Australian Hearing is the sole entity responsible for servicing the Community Service Obligation Program, which provides a more flexible range of services.

Clients under these categories receive the same services as those provided to voucher clients but receive additional services to address their specific needs.

Special needs group include:

• all children and young adults under 21 years of age (who are Australian citizens, permanent resident or young NDIS participants);
• eligible complex hearing or communication needs clients;
• eligible clients who live in remote areas; and
• an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander who is over 50 years; or a participant in a Community Development Employment Projects Program.

This information is general advice only. You can check your eligibility and apply for the program online, by visiting a service provider or completing a paper-based application form. Visit www.hearingservices.gov.au for more information about the application process or to check your eligibility.

If a hearing test reveals you have a hearing loss and a hearing device may assist you, you will be offered the option of being fitted with a hearing device. The type and degree of hearing loss as well as benefits hearing aids can provide differs for everyone. Considering what you would most like to improve with the use of a hearing aid, for example conversations in the car or listening to a dinner partner in a restaurant, will help you choose the right device for you.

Different hearing aids each have differing combinations of features. If you have a hearing loss and are eligible for the program, you will be offered a suitable, fully subsidised hearing device by your service provider. These devices come in different styles and contain a range of beneficial features. As not every fully subsidised hearing aid will have every feature, you should discuss with your service provider about what you would like to hear better and the features available in fully subsidised devices that can assist you.

What is a Fully Subsidised Device?

Fully subsidised hearing devices are digital hearing aids are provided at no cost to you by a contracted service provider and contain a range of beneficial features to help you manage your hearing loss. Fully subsidised devices must meet the performance and technical requirements prescribed by the program which are designed to help appropriately manage the effects of most people’s hearing loss

What is a Partially Subsidised Device?

You may choose to purchase a partially subsidised hearing device, to access additional features to suit your individual life choices. In this case, the program contributes the amount that would have been paid for a fully subsidised hearing device to your service provider, and you pay the additional amount quoted to you for the hearing device (i.e. the “gap”).

Purchasing a partially subsidised hearing device is a personal choice, and you are under no obligation to do so. Partially subsidised hearing devices contain additional features beyond those generally required to help you manage the effects of your hearing loss. Some of these features could include but not limited to:

• Wireless connectivity
• More hearing device channels
• Adaptive noise reduction
• Switchable or adaptive directional microphone
• Automatic multi-memory
• Automatic environmental adaptation
• Environmental learning
• Bilateral processing/synchronization

If you are considering purchasing a partially subsidised hearing device, ask your service provider for a copy of your hearing test results (including your audiogram) and a quote for the device recommended to you. This quote should include details about the device model and style, as well as the full price of the device and information about any additional costs for ongoing maintenance and repairs. You can use this information to ask for quotes for the same device (or an equivalent device) from other service providers, to compare your options.