Contact a hearing centre
- Where is my local Australian Hearing centre?
- Australian Hearing has 94 permanent centres and more than 240 visiting sites across the country, so we are sure to have a centre near you. Go to the find us page on this site to locate your nearest Australian Hearing centre.
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- Do you want us to contact you?
- If you have an enquiry, compliment or complaint, contact us. If you would like to be contacted, simply fill out your preferred contact details in the online form provided. Alternatively, you can fill out the enquiry form.
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- How do I update my client details?
- If you have changed your address or other contact details, please call 131 797 to be connected to your nearest Australian Hearing centre. Alternatively, you can fill out the enquiry form.
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Eligibility
- Am I eligible for a voucher through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program?
- You are eligible if you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident and you meet the eligibility criteria. We provide services to aged pensioners and most veterans. For a full guide to eligibility, go to the Eligibility page of this site.
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- What is an Australian Government Services Program Voucher?
- A voucher entitles eligible adults to obtain government-subsidised hearing services, which can include appropriate listening devices. See our Applying for a voucher page for more information.
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- I am not eligible for a voucher. What are my other options for seeking assistance?
- You can find further information about private hearing services providers through the Audiological Society of Australia visit www.audiology.asn.au or the Office of Hearing Services, visit www.health.gov.au/hear.
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Repairs / Batteries
- How do I get my hearing aid repaired?
- Australian Hearing offers a repairs service for clients with a valid hearing services card at all permanent hearing centres. Click here to go to the repairs page. If you would like to be contacted about repairs to your hearing aid, please refer to the Contact Us page.
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- Where do I get new batteries for my hearing aid?
- Australian Hearing offers a batteries service to clients with a valid hearing services card at all permanent hearing centres. For more information on Batteries click here. If you would like to contact us about repairs, please click here for contact details.
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Hearing Aids
- Do I have to pay for a hearing aid?
- If you have a voucher, Australian Hearing has a wide range of government-subsidised hearing devices available at no cost to you. An annual maintenance fee applies. If you choose a top-up hearing device with a higher-level of technology and features, you will have to contribute towards the cost of that device.
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- Will a hearing aid restore my hearing back to normal?
- Hearing devices benefit many people. However, no hearing device can restore your hearing to normal. The benefits depend on the degree of your hearing loss.
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- Will I become dependent on a hearing aid?
- Do not be concerned about becoming dependent. A hearing device will help you communicate better and enjoy life more. Many people wonder how they ever managed without it.
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- Does it take long to get used to a hearing aid?
- This will vary from person to person because every person is different. It takes some time to adjust to listening, and to hearing everything louder. Hearing devices amplify sounds. Following a conversation in a noisy place can be very difficult. With practice, listening can become an enjoyable experience again.
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- Would a top-up device benefit me?
- Top-up devices have extra features. They are made in a range of styles and include the smallest hearing devices available on the market. These very small hearing devices can be difficult for some people to manage, or they may not suit the degree of your hearing loss. Your Australian Hearing audiologist will discuss with you the features and technology of the top-up hearing devices and give you professional advice as to how they may benefit you.
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- Where can I donate my hearing aid to be recycled?
- You can deposit your aid at any Australian Hearing centre or hearing aid bank. You can find further information on hearing aid banks here.
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Assistive Listening Devices
- How can an assistive listening device help?
- Click here for more information.
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- What different types of assistive listening devices are available?
- Click here for more information.
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- How can I purchase an assistive listening device?
- Australian Hearing has a range of assistive listening devices available for purchase. If you would like to contact us about purchasing one of these devices, click here for contact details.
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Information on hearing loss
- What are the signs of hearing loss?
- Loss of hearing is often a gradual process. Hearing loss is invisible and more common than people think. Some of the early warning signs of hearing loss are: you can hear but not understand; you find it hard to hear in noisy situations or groups of people; you think people mumble; you need turn the TV up louder than others or, you don't always hear the doorbell or the phone.
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- How can I manage noise in my workplace?
- Examine quieter alternative work practices. The ultimate outcome is to help create a safer, low noise, working environment.
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- What is excessive noise?
- Noise is considered excessive when you must use a raised voice or shout in order to be able to speak to someone at an arm's length. It is important to note that a hearing impairment does not protect a person from further noise damage nor does it give a person less susceptibility to noise induced hearing damage. In fact, it is quite critical to protect what hearing remains.
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- Will my child inherit my hearing loss?
- This is an issue that can be discussed with a genetic counsellor. For information on genetic counselling services in Australia click here.
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- What is an audiogram?
- An audiogram is used to display the results of a hearing test. The softest sounds you can hear are your hearing thresholds and these are marked on an audiogram. Hearing tests can tell you the type and degree of hearing loss you may have.
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- What information do you have about ear plugs?
Earplugs come in a variety of sizes, shapes and noise protection ratings. The soft foam versions found in chemists are for general use and are good value for money. For more specific protection such as earplugs customised for musicians or industrial work environments, a hearing provider will need to be contacted to tailor make the plugs. Earplugs require an impression taken of a person's ear and filters inserted to eliminate particular parts of the frequency spectrum of sound depending on their use.
Australian Hearing does not make noise protection earplugs but we discuss noise protection needs with our clients and give advice on where to source the best solution.
Earplugs and ear muffs do not affect your hearing, they protect your hearing from damage. They do not make your hearing more or less sensitive to noise but help avoid a hearing loss.
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Careers
- How do I get a job with Australian Hearing?
- Click here for careers.
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- How do I become an audiologist?
To become an audiologist you will need to complete a Master of Clinical Audiology. In Australia this course is available at five universities: Flinders University, South Australia; Melbourne University, Victoria; Macquarie University, New South Wales; University of Western Australia, Western Australia and University of Queensland, Queensland.
The Master of Clinical Audiology (MCAud) course is a 2-year full time program, which includes coursework and supervised clinical practicum of around 200 hours (varies between universities).
There are no specific prerequisite undergraduate subjects, but relevant undergraduate degrees include linguistics, psychology, speech and hearing science, biomedical science or physical and behavioural sciences. Acceptance into the program is based on good grades in any undergraduate university degree and an interview to determine if the student has a good grasp of the requirements for the profession of audiology.
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- How do I become an audiometrist?
From 2008, two new qualifications replace the Certificate IV in Audiometry: Certificate IV in Audiometric Assessment and Diploma of Hearing Device Prescription and Evaluation. Both courses require completion of core and elective units/ modules (flexible learning options), supervised clinical practicum in the workplace, attendance at classroom sessions and assignments and assessments.
Students who complete the Certificate IV in Audiometric Assessment can perform hearing screenings and assessments to identify hearing impairment and take appropriate action. This action may include referral for further audiological or medical assessment; coordinating programs for the prevention of hearing loss; and/ or care management and education programs. People in this area work in audiology or audiometry practices, industrial settings or community and regional health settings.
Audiometrists who complete the Diploma of Hearing Device Prescription and Evaluation can also prescribe or dispense hearing aids and will eventually qualify to work as an independent practitioner.
Audiometrists who work for Australian Hearing must have completed both qualifications.
At present, two TAFE colleges in Australia offer these courses: TAFE Ultimo, New South Wales (face to face classroom option) and OTEN Strathfield, New South Wales (distance learning program with some residential schools).
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Tinnitus
- What can be done about tinnitus?
- Click here for information.
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- How do I access a tinnitus management program?
- Australian Hearing has programs to help people manage tinnitus. Please complete the Contact Me [link] online form for further information. You must meet the eligibility criteria. Click here to access Australian Hearing services.
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Cochlear
- Where can I find information on Cochlear implants?
- Cochlear implants
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Suppliers
- How do I become a supplier to Australian Hearing?
- Become a Supplier of Australian Hearing
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- How do I make an appointment?
- Click here for contact details.
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