Hearing loss is the third most common health issue after heart disease and arthritis. You can be born with hearing loss or you can develop it later in life. And after you reach age 65 there is a 1 in 3 chance of you developing hearing loss, so it is crucial to get your hearing tested regularly. There have also been links to developing dementia if hearing loss is left untreated. If you are one of these people who have been affected by hearing loss then you’re probably wondering what services are available to you. The Australian government hearing services program caters to Australians who suffer from hearing loss. The Australian hearing service offers vouchers to eligible clients to a range of hearing services that could help with hearing loss. To find out if you are eligible keep reading.
As hearing loss affects so many people all over the world, it’s important to find help where you can get it. The Australian government hearing services program aims to help all people who are eligible for this program. The program has two categories of clients – the first is the voucher program and the second is the community service obligation program. Any young adult or a child under the age of 26 who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, are eligible for the Australian government hearing services program. This program is dedicated to children who have permanent or temporary hearing loss. And it recommends testing every child for hearing loss. It is never too early to test your child for hearing loss, as diagnosing hearing loss early can make for an easier upbringing for both a child and a parent.
Adults 26 years or older looking for help from the Australian government hearing services program must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia. Any adult looking to apply must fit the following criteria to be eligible for this program.
- A pensioner with a concession card is eligible to apply.
- Anyone receiving a sickness allowance from Centrelink.
- Holders of a Department of Veterans’ affairs gold repatriation health card and holders of a Department of Veterans’ affairs white repatriation health card that specifically states hearing loss.
- Anyone dependent on the previous categories may also be eligible.
- Any referred clients from an Australian Government-funded vocational rehabilitation service.
- Members of the Australian defense force are all eligible for the Australian government hearing services program.
Any of the adults in the above categories should apply for a voucher. Voucher holders will have access to free high-quality hearing devices (if you wish for a newer model, you can use your voucher and contribute to the cost of the hearing aid).
A voucher is not required for the following groups who are also eligible for hearing services Australia.
- Anyone who is eligible for the Australian government hearing services program and suffers from extreme hearing loss and also has a severe speech impairment.
- Anyone who meets the criteria for the Australian government hearing services program and lives in a remote part of Australia.
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are participating in the remote jobs and communities program.
- All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50 years of age.
Not everyone is eligible for this program. If you are not eligible, you may have a hearing aid fitted to you for a discounted cost at a hearing aid bank. A hearing bank takes previously owned hearing aids, reconditions them and distributes them to people in need. The general eligibility for a hearing bank is that you do not qualify for the Australian government hearing services program and do not have enough money to purchase a hearing aid. There are hearing banks in every state; you can find them by looking up hearing banks online, asking your GP or inquiring in Centrelink.
I think it goes without saying that taking steps to prevent hearing loss is the most effective form of treatment. Most hearing loss comes with old age, but once lost, it is not something you can recover. The number one cause of hearing loss is noise, hence reducing loud noise and not listening to loud music can improve your chances of fighting hearing loss. There are many products available to help reduce noise around you, the most effective being earplugs or ear muffs. You can even buy customized earplugs to match your ear perfectly. Getting an early diagnosis for hearing loss is crucial, the earlier you get diagnosed, the sooner you can start the treatment. There are many places for hearing services Australia, ask your local GP or search for your local hearing specialist online.