Free Hearing Aids for Pensioners & Veterans
Harmony Hearing & Audiology is accredited to provide the Commonwealth
Hearing Services Program. This accreditation enables us provide eligible
clients with quality hearing aids and comprehensive hearing services fully
funded by the Australian Government.
We will help you obtain a
Hearing Services Voucher through the Office of Hearing Services (OHS). You can obtain the application
form for a Hearing Services Voucher either by calling or emailing us or
when you come to a complimentary consultation. Alternatively you can find
the application form on the Office of Hearing Services website
here.
Once we receive your Hearing Services Voucher we can provide the following
goods and services:
Free Hearing Aids and Accessories
- Free pensioner hearing test
- Wide range of free quality digital hearing aids from world leading manufacturers
- Quality hearing aid batteries
- Hearing aid accessories (remote control, speaker units and domes as required)
Why “Top Up” Hearing Aids?
If your unique lifestyle indicates you will benefit from additional hearing
aid features and qualities, self-funding the margin or what’s referred
to as “top up” hearing aids can be indicated. We generously
equate the Hearing Services Voucher to being a grant of approximately
$2900. This does fully cover an essential level of technology adequate
to meet the needs of the majority. Your private health fund may also contribute
an additional $800 to $1500 on a pair of hearing aids.
With these contributions you are
most of your way to acquiring the very best advanced to premium hearing aid
models with
Harmony Hearing & Audiology. Advanced and premium models typically provide enhanced ability and comfort
in following speech in background noise.
We recommended that you wear your hearing aids on a daily basis and ideally
for the majority of your waking day so as to best adapt and obtain maximum
benefit from using them. Hearing aids are engineered to last many years
(5+ years) and so it’s a very important decision how you use your
Hearing Services Voucher. That is why we provide up to 60 day trials of
both “free to client” and “top up hearing aids”
so you can compare and make an informed decision as to whether the fully
subsidised models are meeting your needs or whether selecting to “top
up” to higher end models is worth that extra edge it’s going
to give you for the next 5+ years. Essentially we work flexibly with you
until you are satisfied with the outcomes. Please keep in mind that hearing
is one of your primary senses and along with vision we believe your hearing
and ability to communicate requires the best service and technological
support available. It is a necessity rather than a luxury.
Free Ongoing Hearing Services
- Comprehensive pensioner hearing tests by qualified audiologist
- Results discussion, counselling on hearing health with a take home report
- Reporting to g.p. and specialists as necessary
- Free hearing aid fitting and coaching (as required)
- Follow up reviews
- Ongoing adjustments, repairs and maintenance as required
Who is eligible?
You are eligible if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident,
21 years of age and over, meeting one of the following criteria:
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)
- Gold Health Repatriation Card
- White Health Repatriation Card (specifying hearing loss)
- Centrelink Sickness Allowance
You may also be eligible if you are:
- Dependent of a person in one of the above categories
- Active member of the Defence Force
- Client of CRS Australia
Additionally the program supports the following groups, however they must
be seen at the government hearing care provider, Australian Hearing:
- Australian citizens under 21-years of age
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over 50 years of age
How do I apply for a Voucher?
If you believe that you may be eligible,
call Harmony Hearing & Audiology on (08) 9433 3249and we will provide, and assist you to complete a
Hearing Services Application Form that is to sent to the Office of Hearing Services in Canberra. First time
applicants need to have their form signed by their Doctor.
Changing Hearing Service Provider:
You have freedom to choose your hearing service provider, which makes for
fair and competitive practice within our free enterprise system. If you
would like us to be your hearing services provider please call the Office
of Hearing Services on
1800 500 726 and request a
Transfer of Hearing Services Provider Form which you forward to us as your new provider. We can then request transfer
of your important clinical history and hearing test results from your
previous hearing services provider/providers.
Grounds for Changing Service Provider:
A breakdown in relationship with your existing provider can be one reason
people may choose a new provider. This is known to have occurred where
clients returning to a practice have seen different clinicians for different
visits and efficiency of information sharing and rapport declines.
Or it may be a matter of convenience. For example if your mobility is somewhat
limited it could be easier to get to see us and in a more timely manner
If you are already a client of the program and would like to obtain a new
voucher, we can request a new voucher application on your behalf.
Features available in free-to-client hearing devices on the Main Schedule
of Approved Devices may include:
-
Feedback cancellation - This feature reduces the chance that your hearing device will whistle
when it is placed in your ear. This whistling is called feedback;
-
Adaptive Noise Reduction - The hearing device software enables it to reduce the volume of background
noise without reducing the volume of people talking. This makes it more
comfortable to listen well in noisy spaces;
-
Transient Noise Reduction - The hearing device software recognises sudden uncomfortably loud sounds
and reduces their volume to a more comfortable listening level;
-
Wireless Connectivity -The hearing device software can provide a direct wireless connection to
other devices. An example of this is a signal sent via bluetooth to a
mobile phone, or hearing aids that synchronise the settings between left
and right so the sound feels balanced to you;
-
Automatic or adaptive directional microphone- This hearing device feature emphasises sounds coming from one direction
(usually the front) while reducing the volume of sounds coming from other
directions. This feature makes it easier for you to hear one person talking
when you are in a noisy space and has been clinically proven to help improve
speech understanding;
-
Automatic Multi Memory - The device can store a number of program settings for use in different
listening situations, such as meetings or social functions;
-
Telecoil (also called a T-switch) - This hearing device feature helps you to hear better in places where an
induction loop is fitted. This is often in theatres, churches and halls,
as well as some businesses including banks. When this system is activated
the device microphone is often switched off which helps to reduce background
noise and make the speaker’s voice more audible; and
-
Autophone - The telecoil is activated automatically when the hearing device is used
with a telephone which has a magnetic device attached. This magnetic device
may be available as part of your hearing aid fitting.