FAQ | Hearing Test & Fitting |Maintenance

Frequently Asked Questions

What do hearing aids cost?

As a rule there are two parts of the process. Your hearing test or assessment and the recommended prescription of hearing aids and their supply. Generally the initial appointment and basic hearing screening is FREE of charge. Should your results indicate further treatment or more comprehensive testing is required a fee may apply depending on the service. Also if you require a written report for medical reasons or for employment there may also be a fee.

Our Clinical staff can advise if hearing aids may be of benefit and if this is the case we will provide you with a clear understanding of all costs.

Once we have prescribed which hearing aid best suits your needs we will confirm a cost. Hearing aids vary enormously in price and technology, ranging from FREE to several thousand dollars. We spend time professionally analyzing your hearing loss and lifestyle to prescribe the most appropriate solutions. Our hearing aid costs include all appointments and follow-up advice to ensure you are satisfied with your hearing aid fitting.

Does my Private Health Insurance cover hearing aids?

Firstly, we recommend you check your rebate entitlements directly with your Provider. Sometimes the full cost or part of the cost may be rebated to you by your Private Health Insurer. This will depend on the level of cover you have.

Are hearing aids tax deductible?

The ATO offer medical tax offsets that include hearing aids (some conditions apply).
Please see the ATO website here for further details, or consult your tax advisor.

How do I know that my hearing is impaired?

Often, the first sounds you have difficulty hearing are in the higher frequencies, such as women's and children's voices, and the chirping of birds. You may also notice that your hearing is impaired when you attend a public event (concert, theatre), watch television, use the telephone, or converse with a group of people.

Gradually you may start to withdraw and isolate yourself from your surroundings. Maybe you have already developed compensatory or avoidance strategies:

  • Do you often ask others to repeat what they have said?
  • When you're listening to someone, do you turn your head to one side?
  • Do the people around you complain that your television or radio is too loud?
  • Are you increasingly avoiding social occasions or meetings at work where there is a group of people?

The only sure method of ascertaining whether your hearing is impaired is to have it tested by a Hearing Health Care Professional.

When would it be an advantage to have a hearing aid?

Since people have their own individual ideas about what constitutes good hearing, there isn't a definite answer to this question. Even if your hearing is only slightly impaired, it could be a good idea to explore the benefits offered by hearing aids.

Is a hearing test painful?

A hearing test is completely painless and takes only a few minutes. The test, which should be conducted once every 2 years, is important because it helps diagnose hearing loss as early as possible.

Your Hearing Health Care Professional can then suggest appropriate treatment.

Do I need one or two hearing aids?

In most cases hearing loss affects both ears, so both ears need treatment.

The use of two hearing aids, or “binaural” fittings, has been shown to increase a person's ability to hear speech in background noise. Wearing two hearing aids will also enable you to once again localize acoustic signals, such as an approaching car.

Can I wear a hearing aid without anyone noticing it?

Today there are hearing aids so small they hide deep inside the auditory canal, and are practically invisible when worn. These are known as CIC instruments (completely-in-the-canal). There is also a newer style of Micro BTE (Behind The Ear) that is also practically invisible when worn.

What benefits do digital hearing aids have?

More parameters can be adjusted to accurately meet the wearers hearing requirements.

There is no longer a disadvantage to having a very small hearing aid if extensive features and functions within the hearing instrument are required. Premium quality and operation of the aid is not limited to size any more, so all styles are available in all quality grades.

Does my child suffer from impaired hearing?

Do you have the impression that your child is not as a proficient in speech as other children of
his or her age? Is he or she not developing language skills properly? This could mean that your child is suffering from impaired hearing. Consult your paediatrician about this.

Can I use a mobile phone with my hearing aids?

Digital hearing aids are usually less sensitive to the electromagnetic radiation of digital mobile phones so there should be little or no interference.

 

 


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