Hearing Aid Vouchers
Free or Top-Up Hearing Aids for Pensioners & Veterans
Harmony Hearing is an accredited and registered provider of the Australian Government's Hearing Services Program (HSP).
This accreditation enables us provide eligible clients with quality hearing aids and comprehensive hearing services fully funded by the Australian Government.
With over 10 years’ experience and supplied with all leading hearing aid brands, we have the ability to match the best fully subsidised hearing aids to your unique needs.
If you are an eligible Pensioner or Veteran, we can help you acquire a Hearing Services Voucher through the Office of Hearing Services (OHS).
This will enable you to obtain “Free to client” hearing services including hearing tests, hearing aid fittings and adjustments.
You can obtain the application form for a Hearing Services Voucher either by calling or emailing us or when you come to a complimentary consultation.
Alternatively, you can find the application form on the Office of Hearing Services website here.
Once we receive your Hearing Services Voucher we can provide the following goods and services:
- Free Hearing Aids for pensioners or veterans (inclusive of Accessories)
- Free pensioner hearing test
- Wide range of free quality digital hearing aids from world leading manufacturers
- Quality hearing aid batteries
- Hearing aid accessories (remote control, speaker units and domes as required)
You can also opt to engage in the annual Battery and Maintenance contract which currently costs $47.25 in 2021 for a full year of supplies such as hearing aid batteries, domes and wax filters for maintaining your hearing aids in effective working order.
How Much is the Grant Toward Hearing Aids for Pensioners and Veterans?
At present for a first time fitting the grant for an eligible pensioner or veteran is approximately $1550.
This covers both the cost of the hearing aids and professional audiology services of having them fitted and verified and in being effectively coached in their use and management.
For a subsequent fitting under the program the grant is approximately $1330.
Free Ongoing Hearing Services:
- Comprehensive pensioner hearing tests by qualified audiologist
- Results discussion, counselling on hearing health with a take home report Reporting to GP and specialists as necessary
- Free hearing aid fitting and coaching (as required)
- Follow up reviews
- Ongoing adjustments, repairs and maintenance as required
Who is eligible for free hearing aids?
You are eligible if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, 21 years of age and over, meeting one of the following criteria:
- Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card (PCC)
- Gold Health Repatriation Card
- White Health Repatriation Card (specifying hearing loss)
- Centrelink Sickness Allowance
You may also be eligible if you are:
- The dependent of a person in one of the above categories
- An active member of the Defence Force
- A client of CRS Australia
Additionally the program supports the following groups, however they must be seen at the government hearing care provider, Australian Hearing:
- Australian citizens under 21-years of age
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders over 50 years of age
How do I apply for a Voucher?
If you believe that you may be eligible, call Harmony Hearing & Audiology on 1800 02 04 06 and we will provide, and assist you to complete a Hearing Services Application Form that is to sent to the Office of Hearing Services in Canberra.
PLEASE NOTE: First time applicants need to have their form signed by their doctor.
Changing Hearing Service Provider
You have the freedom to choose your hearing service provider, which makes for fair and competitive practice within our free enterprise system.
If you would like us to be your hearing services provider please call the Office of Hearing Services on 1800 500 726 and request a Transfer of Hearing Services Provider Form which you forward to us as your new provider.
We can then request transfer of your important clinical history and hearing test results from your previous hearing services provider/providers.
A breakdown in relationship with your existing provider can be one reason people may choose a new provider.
This is known to have occurred where clients returning to a practice have seen different clinicians for different visits and efficiency of information sharing and rapport declines.
Or it may be a matter of convenience.
For example, if your mobility is somewhat limited it could be more convenient to get in to see us in one of our Perth-based (or Exmouth) locations..
If you are already a client of the program and would like to obtain a new voucher, we can request a new voucher application on your behalf.
Fully Subsidised Hearing Aid Styles
These three different styles of hearing aids suit different hearing levels and user preferences and are all from a world leading brand called Oticon which is owned by William Demant and developed in Copenhagen in Denmark.
Mini BTE Hearing Aids
Fully subsidised hearing aids under the Hearing Services program are actually a very decent level of quality technology.
For example, you can acquire a pair of the Oticon Nera Pro 2 Mini BTE hearing aids fully subsided.
These used to retail for up to about $8000 the pair if you had to self fund them a couple of years ago.
In the Canal Hearing Aids
Alternatively there are custom fitting In the Canal style hearing aids (ITC) or Completely in the Canal style hearing aids (CIC).
For example you can acquire a pair of the custom fitting Oticon Nera 2 Pro In the Canal (ITC) hearing aids fully subsidised under the hearing services program.
Severe Hearing Loss
If you have a more severe to profound hearing loss there are also fully subsidised hearing aid solutions to meet your needs.
For example take a look at the also excellent Oticon Ria 2 BTE D Power Plus.
Features available in free-to-client hearing devices on the Main Schedule of Approved Devices may include:
Feedback cancellation - This feature reduces the chance that your hearing device will whistle when it is placed in your ear. This whistling is called feedback;
Adaptive Noise Reduction - The hearing device software enables it to reduce the volume of background noise without reducing the volume of people talking.
This makes it more comfortable to listen well in noisy spaces;
Transient Noise Reduction - The hearing device software recognises sudden uncomfortably loud sounds and reduces their volume to a more comfortable listening level;
Wireless Connectivity -The hearing device software can provide a direct wireless connection to other devices.
An example of this is a signal sent via bluetooth to a mobile phone, or hearing aids that synchronise the settings between left and right so the sound feels balanced to you;
Automatic or adaptive directional microphone - This hearing device feature emphasises sounds coming from one direction (usually the front) while reducing the volume of sounds coming from other directions.
This feature makes it easier for you to hear one person talking when you are in a noisy space and has been clinically proven to help improve speech understanding;
Automatic Multi Memory - The device can store a number of program settings for use in different listening situations, such as meetings or social functions;
Telecoil (also called a T-switch) - This hearing device feature helps you to hear better in places where an induction loop is fitted.
This is often in theatres, churches and halls, as well as some businesses including banks.
When this system is activated the device microphone is often switched off which helps to reduce background noise and make the speaker’s voice more audible; and
Autophone - The telecoil is activated automatically when the hearing device is used with a telephone which has a magnetic device attached.
This magnetic device may be available as part of your hearing aid fitting.
Why “Top Up” Hearing Aids?
If your unique lifestyle indicates you will benefit from additional hearing aid features and qualities, self-funding the margin or what’s referred to as “top up” hearing aids can be indicated.
We generously equate the Hearing Services Voucher to being a grant of approximately $1532.
This does fully cover an essential level of technology adequate to meet the needs of the majority.
Your private health fund may also contribute an additional $800 to $1500 on a pair of hearing aids.
With these contributions you are most of your way to acquiring the very best advanced to premium hearing aid models with Harmony Hearing & Audiology.
Advanced and premium models typically provide enhanced ability and comfort in following speech in background noise.
We recommended that you wear your hearing aids on a daily basis and ideally for the majority of your waking day so as to best adapt and obtain maximum benefit from using them.
Hearing aids are engineered to last many years (5+ years) and so it’s a very important decision how you use your Hearing Services Voucher.
That is why we provide up to 60 day trials of both “free to client” and “top up hearing aids” so you can compare and make an informed decision as to IF the fully subsidised models are meeting your needs.
Or if selecting to “top up” to higher end models is worth that extra edge it’s going to give you for the next 5+ years.
Essentially we work flexibly with you until you are satisfied with the outcomes.
Please keep in mind that hearing is one of your primary senses and along with vision we believe your hearing and ability to communicate requires the best service and technological support available.
It is a necessity rather than a luxury.
How You Benefit from Our Independence
As we are independent from any particular manufacturer, we have the unique freedom of being able to supply you the latest and best fully subsidised pensioner hearing aids from all world leading hearing aid brands.
Our Audiologists are always keeping a keen eye on what free to client solutions become available from all the leading brands including Oticon, Phonak, GN Resound, Widex, Signia and Unitron.
All have excellent Fully Subsidised options under the Commonwealth Hearing Services program.
We’ll help you make an informed choice as to what best suits your hearing level needs, style preferences and other important considerations.
Any Free to Client hearing aids you are fitted with you will obtain a minimum 30 day trial and satisfaction guarantee. Call us today to Book a Free Consultation.
Partially Subsidised Hearing Aids or “Top-Up” Devices
Under the Hearing Services Program you can choose to take the Government Subsidy toward hearing aids of either the $1550 for a first time fitting or the $1330 for a subsequent refitting under the program and self fund extra if you wish to move up to higher levels of technology.
It is known in the hearing industry in Australia as “Topping Up”.
Reasons for Topping Up:
The reasons for doing this may vary. Typically higher end devices have a feature set designed to give them better performance in complex listening environments where there’s competing background noise and to reduce listening effort.
This can free up cognitive processes for other tasks such as remembering more of what is said.
Common Reasons People Choose to “Top-Up” Include:
- Wanting a richer sound quality with hearing aids that have more frequency bands. The Audiologist is more accurately able to shape the amplification to your hearing levels across the frequency range.
- Enhanced clarity and comfort in noise through more advance noise reduction features.
- Cosmetic preferences such as more petite or discrete hearing aids
- More Automation where the hearing aids can optimise themselves to a great array of listening environments.
- Ability for the hearing aids to wirelessly stream Audio from mobile phones, tablets and other smart devices.
No Out-Of-Pocket Expense—Even with A Top Up (Private Health Refund)
It is worth checking with your private health insurance fund to determine if and how much they are willing to refund you for a hearing aid purchase.
Even with the government subsidy toward hearing aids you can claim toward additional out of pocket expense from your private health insurance fund.
Most people are refunded approximately $900 up to $1500 for a pair of hearing aids.
You may find you can top up to substantially higher end hearing aid technology with little to no out-of-pocket expense.
We can help you claim both the hearing services grant and your private health refund toward hearing aids.
Please contact us today and we will facilitate your eligibility for free or subsidised hearing aids.
Call now on 1800 020 406.
Why Choose Harmony Hearing & Audiology?
As hearing professionals serving Australians for more than a decade, we have built our business based on exceptional service, a no-pressure consultative approach and a genuine desire to help our clients achieve a better quality of life through better hearing.
Unlike many other Audiology practices, we are completely independent. That is, we are not linked to one single manufacturer.
This means we can offer you hearing aids from a much wider range of models and manufacturers, while still maintaining low prices.
With cutting edge diagnostic techniques and offering the latest technology hearing devices from manufacturers, including Signia, Widex, Phonak, Resound, Unitron and more, we offer unbiased advice you can trust.
We empower you to make an informed choice, taking into account your communication needs, preferences and lifestyle.
Our practice is based almost entirely on word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients. You can view video testimonials as well as many written testimonials.