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In addition eligible person/s can obtain maintenance of their hearing aids and devices and a regular supply of batteries on a small annual maintenance fee.
If you are applying to the service fo the first time your doctor must complete the referral on the application form. If you are already a client
of the program your current hearing services practitioner can complete the referral on the application form.
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The hearing services voucher will entitle you to obtain, free of charge, a comprehensive range of hearing services designed to meet your needs. A qualified practioner
will assess your hearing and if hearing aids are required, your practitioner will help you select an appropriate model from a range of quality devices.
To find our if your patient is eligible, you can advise them to call us on 9899 3944, their local Acute Hearing Branch. We will be happy
to help them fill out the form, as we always have a supply available.
Information on the Australian Government Hearing Services Program is available in a number of community languages on the Office of Hearing Services web site at www.health.gov.au/hear |
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| DOWNLOAD |
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| Application for a Hearing Services Voucher |
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| HOW TO APPLY |
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You are eligible to apply for a hearing services Voucher if you are an Australian Citizen or permanent resident 21 years or older and you are:
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Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card Holder |
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Centrelink Sickness Allowance |
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DVA Pensioner Concession Card |
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the holder of a Gold Repatriation Health Card issued for all conditions |
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the holder of a White Repatriation Health Card issued for conditions that include hearing loss |
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a dependent of a person in one of the above categories |
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Member of the Australian Defence Forces |
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| Then you are eligible for a Hearing Services Voucher |
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| ENTITLES THE VOUCHER HOLDER TO: |
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| Free Hearing Assessment |
| Free Hearing Rehabilitation |
| Free Hearing Aids or alternative listening devices |
| Or a contribution to the cost of TOP-UP hearing aids |
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Small yearly charge for Maintenance agreement |
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| HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR HEARING SERVICES PROVIDER |
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The first thing for you to work out is which service provider you will use. When we post your Voucher, we will also send you a list of hearing services
providers closest to your home or preferred location.
You do not need to choose a provider from this list. You can choose from about 160 providers throughout Australia. We are
happy to send you the contact details of service providers in other locations if you want them. Please contact the Office and ask us. |
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| HEARING DEVICES PROVIDED UNDER THE PROGRAM |
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| All free hearing devices must pass quality specifications before they are offered to clients. The hearing aids are expected to last at least five years. If you have a clear clinical need for new hearing aid(s), then your service provider can fit one at any time, although the Office may need to give your service provider permission. |
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| Free hearing aids and features |
| There are more than 500 models of high-quality, technically-advanced hearing aids available. |
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| Top-Up hearing aids |
| Top-Up hearing aids have more features than the hearing aids that would meet your assessed needs. |
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| Private Health Fund Rebates |
| If you choose to purchase the Top-Up hearing aid and are a member of a private health fund, you should check with your fund to see if they have any conditions or rules, which may affect your rebate, if you hold a voucher. Each fund will have their own rules. |
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| Alternative listening devices |
Examples of Alternative Listening Devices include television headphones and personal amplifiers.
They are suitable if you need hearing assistance only in certain situations such as watching TV or if you have some other disability
and therefore cannot manage a hearing aid.
The Office will provide either a hearing aid (if needed) or an Alternative Listening Device free of charge, but not both. |
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| MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS |
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Hearing aids are precision devices powered by small batteries.
These batteries must be replaced often and regularly. Like other precision devices, hearing work better if they are
also cleaned serviced regularly.
Maintaining your hearing aid and buying batteries can be costly. This is why the Office recommends you have an annual
maintenance agreement with your service provider. For a small charge each year, your service provider will supply and fit
batteries, clean and service and the aid and replace any worn or broken parts.
You can post your hearing aid to your provider if it needs repair and it is difficult to visit your provider. They will post
it back after the service or repairs. You can also arrange for your service provider to regularly post batteries to you. |
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| REPLACING LOST DAMAGED AIDS |
| If you lose you hearing aid or it is damaged beyond repair, you will need to contact your service provider. You will then fill in a Statutory Declaration form stating how the aid was lost or damaged before a replacement can be considered. There is a small fee for replacing your hearing aid. |
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