Although this is a very common question, in Australia this is difficult to answer.  The true cost of hearings aids for a client is influenced by their eligibility for a range of programs that provide financial assistance to people with hearing loss.
While entry level hearing aids are free to pensioners, a 'privately funded' client without top-level health insurance may spend up to $10,000 on a pair of premium hearing aids with all the latest advanced features.
 
The true 'out of pocket' investment for a client is determined by the following:-
Ensuring that every Australian has access to better hearing is one of the federal government's key health priorities. The Office of Hearing Services Voucher Scheme provides free hearing tests and hearing aids to pensioners and veterans, which are available through accredited providers such as Arafura Audiology and Alice Audiology.
You may also be eligible if you are:
If you believe that you may be eligible, call Arafura Audiology and Alice Audiology and we will provide you with, and assist you to complete, this application form for the Office of Hearing Services.
 
Many private health funds offer rebates on the cost of hearing aids for their extras and premium plans. At the time of printing, the rebates above applied to five of Australia's largest health insurers on their premium plans.
 
 
Insurer |
Rebate |
Phone |
Website |
MBF |
$1000 per aid every 3 years |
131 137 |
www.mbf.com.au |
Medibank Private |
$800 per annum total for aids. Aids can be replaced every five years. |
132 331 |
www.medibank.com.au |
NRMA |
$1000 per aid every 3 years |
133 234 |
www.nrma.com.au/pub/nrma/health |
NIB |
$800 per aid every 3 years |
13 14 63 |
www.nib.com.au |
HCF |
$800 per aid every 5 years |
13 14 39 |
www.hcf.com.au |
 
The government has exempted hearing aids from GST and provide a tax rebate of 20% on annual medical expenses in excess of $1500. This could lead to a rebate of over $1,500 for advanced hearing solutions for clients who lodge a tax return.
Any employee who works in an environment capable of causing noise induced hearing loss is entitled to claim compensation if they have suffered a noise induced hearing loss as a result of that noisy work environment. The hearing loss must exceed 5% binaural loss before a permanent disability lump sum payment can be made otherwise your claim for noise incurred hearing loss will be accepted for medical expenses only. To find out more about compensation for workplace induced hearing loss, click here.
If you believe that you may be eligible for financial assistance for hearing aids and would like to discuss this with an expert, simply call us on (08) 8981-0013 (Darwin) or (08) 8952-3110 (Alice Springs) or use the form found here.
Editing of website provided by Arafura Audiology