Are you Eligible for FREE Hearing Services ?
Pensioners and Veterans with a current Pensioner Concession Card or DVA Gold Card are eligible to enrol in the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.
Under this program, you are entitled to FREE hearing assessments and fully subsidised (free hearing aids).
Are you Eligible for FREE Hearing Services ?
Pensioners and Veterans with a current Pensioner Concession Card or DVA Gold Card are eligible to enrol in the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. Under this program, you are entitled to FREE hearing assessments and fully subsidised (free hearing aids).
Hearing Services Program
Pensioners and Veterans with a current Pensioner Concession Card or DVA Gold Card are eligible to enrol in the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.
Under this program, you are entitled to FREE hearing assessments and fully subsidised (free hearing aids).
Are you eligible?
You are eligible for the voucher component of the program if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident and you are
- a Pensioner Concession Card holder
- a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holder
- a Department of Veterans’ Affairs White Card holder issued for specific conditions that include hearing loss.
- receiving Sickness Allowance from Centrelink
- a dependent of a person in one of the above categories
- a member of the Australian Defence Force
How do you apply?
If you have a Pensioner Concession Card or a DVA White or Gold Card, you are eligible to apply for government funded hearing services. You can apply online or you can visit an approved service provider who will complete your application.
Hear-Clear Australia, is one of the 270 approved service providers across Australia.
Fully subsidised hearing aids
If a hearing assessment identifies you would benefit from a hearing device, you will be offered a fully subsidised hearing device. There is a wide range of fully subsidised hearing devices available under the program, made by leading manufacturers. These hearing devices are provided at no cost to you, and contain a range of beneficial features to help you manage the impact of your hearing loss.
To help you understand how a fully subsidised hearing device can be of assistance, a list of common hearing goals and different features that may be available in fully subsidised hearing devices to assist with those goals, can be found at the end of this publication.
But are the free hearing aids any good?
The hearing aids on the subsidised program are government- approved and meet strict quality and technical standards. There are many quality hearing aids on the “free list”. However, you may choose to pay for a Top-Up hearing aid to get better performance in background noise.
Partially subsidised hearing aids
You may be given the option to purchase a partially subsidised hearing device, which may have more technological features to suit individual lifestyle choices. In this case, the program contributes the amount that would have been paid for a fully subsidised hearing device to your service provider, and you pay the additional amount quoted to you for the hearing device (i.e. the “gap”).
It is important to note that the program will not reimburse you for the additional cost of purchasing a partially subsidised hearing device.
The additional cost of purchasing a partially subsidised hearing device will vary and can be substantial, depending on the price set by your service provider. If you are considering purchasing a partially subsidised hearing device you might wish to seek quotes for the device from other service providers, to compare prices before making your decision.
Annual maintenance agreement (including batteries and device repairs)
Service providers will offer you the option of entering into an annual maintenance agreement. This covers services, repairs and batteries for your hearing device for a year. If you take up the option of a maintenance agreement, you may be asked to make a payment towards the cost, and the program makes an additional contribution to your service provider as well.
You should be aware that the annual maintenance fee for a partially subsidised device may be higher than for a fully subsidised device. If you are considering purchasing a partially subsidised hearing device, you should discuss maintenance costs with your service provider.
If you choose not to have a maintenance agreement, you will need to pay for the batteries, and the servicing or repair of your hearing device yourself. You should discuss with your service provider the warranty arrangements for your hearing device and any additional costs to you in the case of repairs. These costs can quickly add up and could exceed the cost you would have paid for an annual maintenance agreement.
Replacement device fees
If you lose your hearing device or it is damaged beyond repair, you need to contact your service provider. If your replacement hearing device is from the fully subsidised device schedule, the replacement fee is $30.
If you choose a partially subsidised hearing device as a replacement, you will be responsible for the additional cost involved in purchasing this device. The program will not reimburse you for the additional cost of a replacement partially subsidised hearing device.
Department of Veterans Affairs clients
If you hold a Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Gold or White Card (for hearing loss), you are eligible for services and devices under the program. DVA will also pay the maintenance and replacement fees for fully subsidised devices, as well as paying for assistive listening devices and tinnitus treatment for eligible clients.
The range of fully subsidised devices can be accessed through the program and should meet your needs in the majority of cases. If your provider believes that fully subsidised options are not suitable to meet your clinical hearing needs, they can contact DVA by emailing Health.Approval@dva.gov.au to discuss your circumstances.
DVA will consider funding partially subsidised hearing devices where exceptional clinical circumstances determine a need and where all available fully subsidised options have been explored. If you choose to purchase a partially subsidised hearing device without prior approval, you will need to pay the additional cost (i.e. the gap) for the hearing device. If you choose to have a maintenance agreement for your partially subsidised hearing device, you will need to pay the service provider the amount quoted for the maintenance agreement. If you choose not to have a maintenance agreement for your partially subsidised hearing device then you will have to pay for all batteries, servicing and repairs.
It is important to note that neither DVA nor the program will reimburse you for the additional cost of purchasing a partially subsidised hearing device, or for the maintenance, repair, servicing or replacement of a partially subsidised hearing device without prior approval.
Prior Approval requests should be directed to Health.Approvals@dva.gov.au. More detailed DVA specific information is available on the program website www.hearingservices.gov.au
Additional assistance for any out-of-pocket costs
If you have purchased a partially subsidised device, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance through Australian Government taxation rebates or your private health insurance. If you have private health insurance you should contact your health fund to discuss possible rebates. For further information about any taxation rebates which may apply to you, you can contact the Personal Tax Infoline on 132 861.
Can I change providers if I am not happy?
While, you are encouraged you to see your hearing aid service as a long-term relationship, it is important that your needs are being considered, so you can change providers.
For an obligation free consultation and to find out if you are eligible, contact the friendly staff at Hear-Clear Australia.