GETTING A HEARING AID

Hearing aids are obtained from audiologists or audiometrlsts

Audiologists (who have postgraduate university qualifications) and audiometrists (technically trained) are able to conduct hearing assessments, help you choose an appropriate hearing aid, fit hearing aids and give advice on the use and care of hearing aids.

TWO WAYS TO GET HEARING AIDS:
1. Selective Funding By The Government Hearing Aid Funding Options:

Enable NZ/Accessable Subsidies

a.  Children and Young people ,Preschoolers, or
Children and young people up to the age of 21 if in primary, secondary or tertiary education

Receive free hearing aid/s
Note: These will be purchased from a limited range, selected via competitive tender processes. 

b.  Adults with complex needs aged 16 years and over who have had
Severe long-term hearing loss since childhood, or
Onset of severe/sudden hearing loss during adulthood, or
A dual disability (such as deaf/blind or hearing loss and an intellectual disability)
Receive fully funded hearing aids (wholesale cost) for all adults in this group, even it they don't hold a Community Services Card.
(Note: Hearing aids will be purchased from a limited range, selected via competitive tender processes)

c.  All other Adults aged 16 years and over who are:
Working (greater than 30 hours per week), or
Studying full-time (over 21 years), or
Doing voluntary work (greater than 20 hours per week), or
Caring for a dependent person full-time

Can get fully funded hearing aids (wholesale cost) provided to people if they have a Community Services Card, or
Hearing aid subsidy of $500.00 (inc GST) available for people who do not have a Community Services Card
(Note: Subsidies will be available once every 6 years)

d.  Adults who are:
Not working full-time, or
Not studying full-time, or
Not doing voluntary work (greater than 20 hours per week), or
Not caring for a dependent person full-time, and Do not have complex needs as in b. above

Can get a hearing aid subsidy of $500.00 (inc GST)
(Note: Subsidies will be available once every 6 years)

Enable NZ/Accessable: Funding
Entitlement to funding for a hearing aid/s is determined by a registered audiologist who has identified that hearing aid/s are essential for you to:

• Get around more safely in your home, or
• Remain in or return to your home, or
• Communicate effectively, or
• Study full time, or
• Work full time, or
• Work as a volunteer,
• Be the main carer of a dependent person

This funding doesn’t cover audiologist fees.

War Pensions
Hearing aids and other assistive listening devices (including amplified telephones) are available to veterans who have a hearing disability as a result of their military service. The war pension funding covers the following:
• Audiologist fees
• Cost of the aid/s (up to a certain limit)
• Cost of repair
• A battery allowance . .
• Replacement aid/s if more than 5 years old, and aid/s not meeting the needs of the veteran

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC):
Assistance is available if the hearing loss is a result of the following:
• Exposure to a noisy work environment
• Exposure to a sudden, extremely loud noise
• Sudden accident

ACC doesn’t cover congenital hearing loss, age-related or illness-related hearing loss.

2. Private Audiologist:
If you are not eligible for the Government Funding above you can locate a list of private Audiologists in your area by referring to the local directories (yellow pages) or phone books. You may also contact the Hearing Association (Auckland) Inc for your hearing aid requirements. You may know someone -- family, friends, colleagues, or your doctor who can recommend a private audiologist.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT & ASK ABOUT HEARING AIDS
Whether you are getting a free hearing aid, "Topping Up" or buying one it is important to have as much useful information as possible before you make a decision. Before you decide on a hearing aid ask one or more audiologists about the following aspects;

Costs:
Ask about the fee for the initial consultation and hearing testing, and enquire about ongoing costs such as batteries and maintenance.

Trial period:
Find out about a trial period
• How long does it last?
• Is there any charge involved?

Refund arrangement:
Find out what happens if you decide not to keep the hearing aid after the trial period.

RANGE OF HEARING AIDS
Become familiar with the range of hearing aids suitable for your kind of hearing loss.

Be aware of:
• the features and programs and how they affect the performance of the aids
• the prices involved for the different features and programs

For example, the TELECOIL program can assist with hearing on the telephone. It can also provide access to other listening devices and systems in public venues such as theatres, churches and railway stations.

Controls:
• Check that these are easy for you to understand and use
• Ask if a remote control is available and what cost is involved

GETTING USED TO A HEARING AID
Be realistic about what hearing aids can do. They can help you hear better but cannot restore normal hearing
• Successful hearing aid users often say, “I don’t hear normally but I hear more easily”
• You need to learn to hear with your hearing aid. Do not expect to hear satisfactorily the first time you wear it
• Getting used to a hearing aid is a gradual process. The longer you have had your hearing loss, the longer it will take to get used to a hearing aid and rehabilitate your hearing
• Make a note of your experiences in different situations. This information will help your audiologist adjust the hearing aid/aids to work better for you
• You will need to arrange follow-up visits for fine-tuning of your hearing aid, or as problems arise in the future

CHOOSING A HEARING AID PROVIDER
Some aspects to enquire about when choosing a hearing aid provider.  This assists in understanding the costs involved, and the time and services provided for within these charges.

The range of services provided:
• testing and consultation
• information about hearing aids
• hearing aid fitting
• information about other devices/listening systems as an alternative

Staff providing the services:
• Qualifications (audiologists/audiometrists)
• experience

Services included in the charges such as:
• audiological assessments
• consultations/return visits
• repairs

Hearing Aid information provided:
• types
• brands and models
• features of these hearing aids
• range of prices for various hearing aids
• reasons for recommendation of particular hearing aid(s)

Trial period details:
• length of time
• cost

Additional information:
• expectation of hearing aids
• support for learning to use hearing aids

Repair arrangements:
• costs involved
• any maintenance agreement
• any warranty agreement

Final questions to ask yourself:
• Is the price within my price range?
• Am I aware of what this includes?
• Have I compared prices?
• Do I feel comfortable about what is suggested?
• Have I checked about a trial?

HAVE PATIENCE, PERSIST AND PRACTICE!