| Department Of Human Services | www.australia.gov.au | |
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| Department Of Human Services | www.australia.gov.au | |
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Does your patient have a hearing problem?
Referring a patient to an audiologist is simple and could significantly enhance the quality of your patient's life.
It's often easy to tell if a patient has a hearing problem. They will ask you to repeat yourself or they will only pick up certain words and guess what you have said. You can help identify a hearing loss by asking the patient some simple questions:
Even though a patient might come in for a different problem, if you suspect they have a hearing loss, it's important to address it. Research shows it takes people up to seven years to take action. Their family has probably already told them to get their hearing checked, but they are often reluctant to do it until their GP suggests it.
Refer a patient to Australian Hearing
If you think a patient may have a hearing loss and may be eligible for our services, you can refer them to us for a free hearing screening.
Just call 131 797 to be connected to your nearest Australian Hearing centre. Your patients can call us themselves to book an appointment, or you can do it on their behalf.
We have 110 permanent centres and almost 300 visiting sites around Australia, so there's sure to be a conveniently located centre near your practice.
Hearing Services Voucher
Eligible adults who have never had a Voucher can apply to the Office of Hearing Services (OHS) for a Voucher that entitles them to fully subsidised hearing services and hearing devices.
You can download a Voucher Application form here.
Print the form, assist your patient to fill it in, sign it and send it to OHS. It will take up to six weeks for OHS to process the application.
You can call Australian Hearing* for your patient to discuss the appointment process at the same time as you send off the OHS Voucher application. Or advise them to call or drop in to their local Australian Hearing Centre.
Patients who have previously had Voucher will receive a renewal letter from OHS on the second anniversary of their last Voucher issue.
Patients will need to contact the OHS if their last Voucher was received more than two years ago. Australian Hearing can assist your patient with this process.
If you have any queries about eligibility or the Voucher application process, please feel free to contact us.
Information about the Australian Government Hearing Services Program is available in a number of community languages on the Office of Hearing Services website. Visit www.health.gov.au/hear.
* Voucher holders have a choice of Hearing Service Providers and Australian Hearing is one of a number of providers approved under the Office of Hearing Services Voucher Program. For a full list of hearing service providers please visit www.health.gov.au.