Fees And Accessing Our Services

Centrelink Pensions And Veterans

Pensioner Concession Card holders, Sickness Allowance Card holders (formerly disability pension) and most Veterans (all Gold Cards and White Cards where hearing is a specified disability) can access our services via the Office of Hearing Services Voucher Scheme. The Federally funded program covers the cost of comprehensive hearing assessment, and where necessary, allows participants to select hearing aids or other assistive listening devices from a range of fully or partly subsidized aids. The program also extends subsidized aftercare services to eligible cardholders, thereby substantially minimizing the cost of maintaining hearing appliances. Eligible cardholders can apply online at www.hearingservices.gov.au or are welcome to contact our office for assistance in accessing Government funded services.

Price Points

There are generally four hearing aid price points, ranging from $1600 to $4900 per appliance (or $3200 to $9800 for a pair). The distribrution of prices is similar across all brands and styles. Exact cost depends on the level of technology, rather than the size of the instrument. More expensive hearing aids offer better noise suppression to improve listening comfort across a broader range of environments. Higher priced instruments also offer more precise tuning for more complex hearing loss. In reality, most individuals will find a device to suit their needs in lower to mid priced offerings.

Children

Children aged 4-18 may attend without referral & are billed a flat fee of $78, for which there is no medicare rebate. A fee of $98 is charged for children aged between 3 and 4 years. We do not currently assess children under 3 years of age.

Industrial

Industry and pre-employment hearing tests with calculation of percentage loss of hearing can be arranged. We are able to extend a discount when testing twenty or more workers.

Ear Wax Removal

Ear wax removal can generally be achieved in one or two visits. Fees are charged in accordance with complexity of removal and time taken to achieve a satisfactory outcome. Costs range from $84 – $164.

Batteries And Accessories

As a convenience to our patients, batteries & hearing aid maintenance accessories are priced below the industry norm.

Private Patients

To ensure value, our hearing aids prices are set below industry average. We also adopt a no negotiation policy on pricing indicative of professionalism and fairness to all.

Self-Funded Patients

Workers and Self-funded Retirees do not require a referral and can contact our office directly. There is no hearing rebate available to these populations under current medicare legislation, excepting referral under Enhanced Primary Care arrangements. Speak with your G.P. to see if you may qualify for EPC referral. Our fees for privately funded patients are unbundled and depend on the exact procedures and methods undertaken. We adopt a transparent pricing structure and do not offer so-called free consultations.

A comprehensive assessment without referral typically attracts a fee of $160 – $190. Additional fees may apply for hearing aid discussions and impression taking. Patients attending with an EPC referral receive approximately $60 back from medicare. Some private health funds may allow members to claim a rebate for hearing consultations and hearing aids. Please check with your individual fund.

Realistic Expectations

It should be remembered that no hearing aid can be a complete substitute for normal hearing, despite some manufacturer claims. Our ears are an extension of our brains, and permit changes of focus depending on active thought processes. Hearing aids are not responsive to our changing thoughts and are no match for the dynamic human brain. However, most people will obtain significant benefit from well fitted hearing aids in many daily situations, providing expectations are realistic and motivation is sufficient.

Health Fund Rebates

Private health funds typically offer rebates in the order of $800—$1800 for a pair of hearing aids. Patients should contact their health fund to check entitlements for their specific level of cover.

Warranty, Trial Periods And Refunds

Most hearing aids come with a three year warranty. We offer patients a thirty day trial period permitting them time to see if they can adjust to regular hearing aid use.

We do not require a deposit to order hearing aids, but do require payment to be finalised at the commencement of the trial period. Hearing aids can be returned at the conclusion of the trial period and the cost refunded, less a fee to cover trial costs. We deliberately do not offer free trials, as this puts the consumer under pressure to retain a product regardless of outcome.

In reality, we have very few requests for refunds, as we endeavour to meet consumer expectations and needs at all stages.

Should a refund be required within the trial period, we are happy to oblige.