Health Insurance
Some health funds provide funding towards hearing aids (up to $1,000 per device), hearing aid repairs as well as hearing tests. Shop around for the best health insurance if you are going to need help with your hearing as this could help you purchase better hearing aids.
Hearing Aid Bank
Hearing Aid banks are available in most states, to help low-income workers who are not eligible for public funding with access to fully reconditioned hearing aids free of charge. Pristine Hearing runs its own Hearing Aid Bank.
Interest Free payment Options
Some (not all) hearing aid providers offer an interest-free payment plan option for patients. At Pristine Hearing we are happy to offer this option for both devices and services to make it easier to afford certain treatment options.
Superannuation
Those who have difficulty paying for hearing aids may be able to access money from their superannuation early. This is dependent on your super fund, so it’s best to talk to them before going down this pathway. You will usually require a recent hearing test from an audiologist (nothing older than 6 months) as well as a quote or unpaid invoice for the required amount to pay for the hearing aids. For more information about this, please visit here (https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/early-release-superannuation).
Personal Loan
Another option to finance hearing aids is to get a personal loan. A personal loan will incur an interest rate although the costs of a hearing aid can be spread over years instead of upfront. Like with credit cards, best to shop around and seek independent financial advice.
Tax Rebates
Although not a funding option per se, some individuals may be able to use the net cost of hearing aids as a tax-deductible purchase. Eligibility criteria apply and this may change from year to year. We recommend speaking to an accountant for advice as to what is claimable and who is eligible.
Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)
DVA will not cover the costs of hearing aids. If you have a DVA Gold or DVA White (hearing specific) card, you can access funding towards various assistive listening devices when clinically required. These devices must be part of the DVA RAP schedule and usually require prior approval.
Australian Government’s Hearing Services Voucher Program
You can access this program if you belong to the following categories. This funding helps subsidise hearing aids and pays for audiology consulting time.
- Aged Pension
- DVA Gold
- DVA White (hearing specific)
- Sickness Allowance
- Dependent of Above
- Member of the ADF
- Referred by Disability Employment Services
- NDIS participant (until July 2019)
Australian Government’s Hearing CSO Program
You can only access CSO services from Australian Hearing. This program provides funding for better hearing aids, remote microphone systems and more specialised audiology consulting time.
- 0-25 years old with permanent hearing loss
- Young NDIS participants (0-6yo)
- 50 year old+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- Anyone on the Voucher Program above but has complex hearing or communication needs (80dBHL 3FAHL in the better ear, poor vision or other cognitive issues) or lives in a remote area.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
To qualify for hearing funding, you must satisfy the following criteria:
- 0-25 years old with auditory neuropathy or at least a permanent 25dBHL hearing loss in the better ear AND requires amplification; OR
- 26 – 65 year-old with at least a 65dBHL hearing loss in the better ear AND has significant difficulties; OR
- 26 – 65 years old with at least a 90bBHL hearing loss in the better ear.
Medicare
Medicare will not fund hearing aids but will contribute towards the cost of hearing assessments performed by an Audiologist when requested by an ENT, neurologist, paediatrician and GP under specific situations.
If you need more information about this, please give us a call at (08)6336 7170 or email us.
Australian Government’s Hearing Services Voucher Program
You can access this program if you belong to the following categories. This funding helps subsidise hearing aids and pays for audiology consulting time.
- Aged Pension
- DVA Gold
- DVA White (hearing specific)
- Sickness Allowance
- Dependent of Above
- Member of the ADF
- Referred by Disability Employment Services
- NDIS participant (until July 2019)
Australian Government’s Hearing CSO Program
You can only access CSO services from Australian Hearing. This program provides funding for better hearing aids, remote microphone systems and more specialised audiology consulting time.
- 0-25 years old with permanent hearing loss
- Young NDIS participants (0-6yo)
- 50 year old+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
- Anyone on the Voucher Program above but has complex hearing or communication needs (80dBHL 3FAHL in the better ear, poor vision or other cognitive issues) or lives in a remote area.
If you have sustained a hearing loss due to noise exposure at work, you may be entitled to compensation as a lump sum, weekly payment or to pay for the cost of hearing aids. Specific state legislation applies.