Frequently Asked Questions
1 What's the first step to manage hearing loss?
2 I’ve already had my hearing assessed, what’s the next step?
3 How can hearing aids help with hearing loss?
4 What types of hearing aids are there?
5 I already wear hearing aids, how can hearservice help?
6 Are there other devices for hearing loss?
7 Are there other methods to manage hearing loss?
8 How can I prevent hearing loss?
9 How can I manage tinnitus (ringing in the ears)?
10 Do I receive a rebate from my private health fund for the purchase of hearing aids and hearing services?
11 Do I receive a rebate from Medicare for the purchase of hearing aids and hearing services?
12 Do I receive a tax deduction for the purchase of hearing aids and hearing services?
1 What's the first step to manage hearing loss?
A hearing assessment is the first step in managing your hearing loss. The Audiologist performs the assessment to determine the exact type and degree of hearing loss. The results of the hearing test are vital to ensuring your hearing loss is managed appropriately. There are different approaches to managing hearing loss depending on the nature of the loss.
Hearing loss is very common in Australia. In fact, approximately 1 in 5 Australians experience some degree of hearing loss (Roy Morgan Research). That’s why it’s so important to recognise the signs.
This quick self-test has been developed by the experienced team of hearservice Audiologists. If you answer YES to any of these questions, it’s time for a hearservice Audiologist to test your hearing:
- Have you noticed any change in your hearing?
- Have your family or friends noticed any change in your hearing?
- Do you have problems hearing the telephone ring?
- Do you have problems hearing conversations over the telephone?
- Are family and friends complaining that the television is too loud?
- Is it difficult to follow a conversation with two or more people in social situations?
- Is it difficult to follow a conversation in a noisy place such as a café or restaurant?
- Have you experienced difficulties following speakers at meetings or presentations such as lectures?
- Have you ever experienced tinnitus (ringing in the ears), dizziness or giddiness?
Is it time for a hearservice hearing assessment?
Contact hearservice for your comprehensive hearing assessment:
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1300 30 20 31 |
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(03) 9567 0422 |
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2 I’ve already had my hearing assessed, what’s the next step?
Contact hearservice for an obligation-free discussion. At this appointment a personalised program will be designed to meet your needs. You will be asked to bring a copy of your most recent hearing tests results. This appointment is free of charge.
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3 How can hearing aids help with hearing loss?
Hearing aids are customised instruments to suit your specific hearing loss. Your hearing aid will amplify sounds which you have difficulty hearing without affecting the sounds you hear normally.
Recent developments in hearing aid technology have meant that hearing aids can be successfully worn in most environments including noisy situations. However, it is important to note that a hearing aid is not a replacement for natural hearing. Rather, it is an aid for hearing loss.
Click here to find out more about hearing aids.
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4 What types of hearing aids are there?
There are six types of hearing aids available to suit individual needs and hearing losses.
Click here to find out more about hearing aids.
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5 I already wear hearing aids, how can hearservice help?
hearservice will test your hearing and check your hearing aid. If there is any change in your hearing levels, your hearing aid will be adjusted accordingly. In any case, it is recommended that your hearing and hearing aid are checked every two years.
Click here for more information about hearing assessments
Click here for more information about hearing aid care.
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6 Are there other devices for hearing loss?
Assistive listening devices can be used with or without a hearing aid. Devices are also invaluable for those who are unable to use a hearing aid. Various devices are available from hearservice including:
- Telephones with adjustable volume and tone controls
- Television headsets with independent volume controls
- Doorbells with low pitch chime and visual prompts
- Alarm clocks with volume control, tone and vibration
- Wireless alert systems for the telephone, smoke detector, doorbell and baby cry monitor
- Induction hooks and loops work with the Telecoil feature of hearing aids to reduce background noise
- Personal amplifiers which assist to increase surrounding noise.
These and many other assistive listening devices can be viewed and purchased at a hearservice clinic near you.
The hearservice Devices Specialist will ensure that you receive the best possible device to suit your individual needs. Contact hearservice for your free devices appointment:
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1300 30 20 31 |
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(03) 9522 0422 |
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7 Are there other methods to manage hearing loss?
Developing effective communication strategies can help to compensate for the everyday impacts of hearing loss. Research shows that aural (hearing loss) rehabilitation with a Speech Pathologist is a key component in managing hearing loss. Whether or not you have a hearing aid, rehabilitation supports people with:
To find out more about methods to manage your hearing loss, contact hearservice for your appointment with a Speech Pathologist:
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1300 30 20 31 |
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(03) 9567 0422 |
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8 How can I prevent hearing loss?
Hearing loss can be prevented by protecting your ears from noise exposure. Loud noise is dangerous and excessive exposure may cause permanent damage. This damage to hearing is irreversible and no known treatment or operation can repair it. That’s why protecting your hearing is so important.
Everyone is affected by excess noise to some degree depending on:
- How loud the noise is
- The length of time a person is exposed to the noise
- The distance a person is from the source of the noise
- The position of the source of the noise
- The pitch of the noise
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007, exposure to noise of 85dBA for eight hours may not be exceeded (or louder sounds for shorter periods). The table below illustrates safe levels.
| NOISE DOSE LIMITS |
| dBA SOUND LEVEL |
DURATION PER DAY |
| 97 |
30 minutes |
| 94 |
1 hour |
| 91 |
2 hours |
| 88 |
4 hours |
| 86 |
6 hours |
| 85 |
8 hours |
These are ‘safe' noise exposure periods.
Exposure to noise levels over and above
these ‘safe’ periods can damage your hearing.
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Protecting your hearing is the best means of preventing hearing loss using ear plugs and ear muffs. Either type can provide effective protection providing the protector makes an airtight seal in your ear (with plugs) or around it (with muffs).
Noise travels easily through air, so an airtight seal is essential. In extremely loud noise you may need to wear plugs and muffs together. Your ear plugs should be the correct size so you may need a different size in each ear. A wide range of ear plugs and ear muffs are available which vary in shape, weight, comfort and attenuation (how much noise they reduce).
To find out how you can prevent hearing loss, contact hearservice to make an appointment with an Audiologist to discuss your particular needs:
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1300 30 20 31 |
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(03) 9567 0422 |
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9 How can I manage tinnitus (ringing in the ears)?
Currently there is no cure for tinnitus however, it can be managed. You can learn to successfully manage your tinnitus, reaching a point where the tinnitus is no longer a problem and has minimal impact on your life. Speech Pathologists have specialist skills in tinnitus management and will assist you to work through an individual therapy program.
Click here to find out more about tinnitus management services.
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10 Do I receive a rebate from my private health fund for the purchase of hearing aids and hearing services?
The rebate you receive depends on your health fund and the level of cover you have. Please contact your health insurer for more information.
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11 Do I receive a rebate from Medicare for the purchase of hearing aids and hearing services?
Medicare rebates are generally not applicable to audiological services, unless under exceptional circumstances. For further information, speak to your doctor or contact Medicare Australia on 13 20 11 or visit www.medicareaustralia.gov.au.
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12 Do I receive a tax deduction for the purchase of hearing aids and hearing services?
Consult your accountant regarding your individual circumstances. For further information, contact the Australian Taxation Office on 13 28 61 or visit www.ato.gov.au.
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1300 30 20 31