1. How do I know I have a hearing loss?

If you feel that people are always mumbling, you find it difficult to hear with background noises, you often want to turn the television louder, or, you have problems hearing people when they are not facing you, then I strongly recommend that you fill out the "Signs of Hearing Loss" questionnaire and take the online screening test. If you fail in any of the questionnaire points or fail in any one frequency of the screening test you may need your hearing checked by an Audiologist.

2. Do I need a Hearing Aid if I have a hearing loss?

Firstly you should get your hearing tested and quantify the type and the nature of your hearing loss. Some types of hearing losses can be rectified by medical intervention and some hearing losses can not be treated medically. Hearing aids may not be of benefit to you if you have very poor speech comprehension scores. It also depends on your lifestyle; you may not need a hearing aid but you may benefit from an Assistive Listening Device (ALD). As a rule of the thumb most sensorineural hearing losses can benefit from a suitable type and style of aid.

3. Will Hearing aids be suitable for my lifestyle?

You will be amazed at the type and styles of hearing aids which are now available. They range from completely in the canal (CIC) to slim-line behind the ear aids. Depending on your degree of hearing loss and the style you prefer there are suitable hearing aids to match your lifestyle. These days there are also hearing aids to suit different colour requirements.

4. Do I need two aids if I have hearing loss in both ears?

Two ears are better than one, so if you have two aids you get the binaural summation effect like hearing via stereo headphones. If you tend to have a hearing aid in only one ear you are depriving the pathway of sound to the brain through the unaided ear and that ear becomes dormant or lazy as the aided ear becomes active in listening to sounds. Just as spectacles normally have a different prescription for each eye, you can benefit from having a differently programmed hearing aid for each ear.

5. Where do I get a hearing aid?

The best way to obtain a prescribed hearing aid is through visiting an Audiologist. An Audiologist will evaluate your hearing loss and your lifestyle needs. Based on these outcomes an Audiologist will recommend a suitable style and size of hearing aid that best suits the nature and degree of your hearing loss, as well as your lifestyle needs.

6. What help is available?

Under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program you may be eligible for completely subsidised (Free to Client) hearing aids and hearing re-habilitation services. Please call one of our Client Care Officers to check your eligibility on (07) 3398 7555 or alternatively Freecall 1800 786 865.

Private Health Fund rebates are available, check with your private health fund as to the conditions and rules of eligibility. Tax offsets are also available as hearing aids can be claimed as a medical appliance expense.

Also check with our Client Care Service team your eligibility for Seniors or Carer card holders discount.

7. Who is eligible?

All holders of a Pension Concession Card and/or all holders of a Department of Veteran’s Affairs Repatriation Pensioner Concession card are eligible for help from the Australian Government Hearing Assistance Program. For further information please check on our Pensioners and Veterans page.

8. Where can I get a voucher application form?

You can contact our clinic for a Voucher Application Form or alternatively you can download the Hearing Services Voucher Application form by clicking on the link.

9. Why are hearing aids so expensive?

Hearing aids are micro miniature computers which are designed in shape and size and programmed to suit your hearing loss. Years of research and testing have gone into developing an aid that can best suit your need.

WARNING:

Never buy an aid that is not designed for you. Hearing aids must be made and programmed to suit your ear canal resonance and hearing loss in size, shape and degree of amplification.

For further information contact us.