If you have a hearing loss, hearing aids may be part of the solution to improve your hearing. You may be able to get some help from the Ministry of Health towards the cost of buying hearing aids.

The Ministry of Health has two types of funding available for hearing aids: the Hearing Aid Funding Scheme and the Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme. Depending on your circumstances and type of hearing loss, you may be able to get help from one of these schemes.

The Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme

The Ministry of Health’s Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme provides $511.11 (including GST) per hearing aid to adults (over the age of 16) who have a permanent hearing loss and need a hearing aid, are New Zealand citizens living in New Zealand or permanent residents who are not covered under the Hearing Aid Funding Scheme.

You may be able to get help towards the cost of hearing aids from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) or Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand. If you can get help from either of these organisations you cannot also get support from the Ministry of Health’s Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme.

The subsidy for each hearing aid is available no more than once every six years.

The Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme does not cover any additional costs for hearing assessments or hearing aid fitting services which audiology service may charge.

Only audiologists who are full members of the New Zealand Audiological Society (MNZAS) or audiometrists who are an audiometrist member of the NZAS can access the Ministry of Health's Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme for their clients. Check that your audiologist/audiometrist is an approved assessor. If they are not you will not be able to get funding support from the Ministry of Health.

What can I expect from audiology services?

An approved assesor will assess your hearing to work out what is the best solution for improving your hearing. If hearing aids are part of this solution, the approved assessor will guide you through the process of getting them. This flowchart shows what you can expect.

1. Assessments

An approved assessor will assess your hearing and your hearing needs.

2. Recommendation

As a result of these assessments your approved assessor may recommend hearing aids as part of the solution for improving your hearing.

If hearing aids are not recommended or you decide not to have them, you could see a hearing therapist for free advice on how to manage your hearing loss. Phone 0800 008 011 or visit the Life Unlimited website.

3. Selection of Hearing Aids

Your approved assessor will advise you on the types of hearing aids that would best meet your hearing needs and give you a written quote that lists the services you may expect to pay for.

You may have to pay your approved assessor for other services.

4. Application for Funding

If you are eligible for hearing aids through the Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme your approved assessor will make an application to the Ministry of Health to help pay for them on your behalf.

5. Fitting

After your approved assessor gets approval for you to try hearing aids, they will fit and programme them for you and show you how to use and take care of them.

6. Trial

Your approved assessor will give you time to try the hearing aids to see if they work for you. Let your approved assessor know if you have any problems as they can adjust the hearing aids. You will probably need more than one appointment to get the hearing aids going just right for you. If the hearing aids still do not work for you, you can return them during the standard trial period and try a different model.

The standard trial period is six to eight weeks.

Always take care of hearing aids. You may need to return them if they are not suitable for you during the trial period.

7. Final Decision

After trying hearing aids, you will need to decide with your approved assessor if the hearing aids are meeting your needs. If they are, your approved assessor will arrange for the Ministry of Health to pay for the hearing aids.

Frequently asked questions

If I need hearing aids, what kind of audiology service will I receive?

Many clinics offer extended follow-up appointments as part of their package for fitting hearing aids. Your approved assessor will let you know how many appointments you may need and the cost, if any, for extra appointments. They will advise you on all costs and give you a written quote that explains all fees and services involved.

How long is the hearing aid trial for?

Most clinics offer a trial of six to eight weeks; a trial of two to three weeks is also common. You need a trial period because your brain needs time to adjust to new sounds. During the trial your approved assessor will adjust the aids until you are happy with them. If you are not happy with the hearing aids after the trial period you can return them. You may then choose to try a different type of hearing aid or, if you decide not to go ahead with hearing aids after all, you will get a refund on some or all of any service costs.

How many hearing aids will I need?

Most people with hearing loss have reduced hearing in both ears. After your approved assessor has done their assessment, you can discuss whether one or two hearing aids would be better for you. If your hearing loss affects both ears you may get better results with two hearing aids.

What costs might I have to pay?

If you are able to get help from the Ministry of Health’s Hearing Aid Funding Scheme you will not pay for your hearing aids. However, there are other costs you may need to pay.

Approved assessors working in private practices charge for assessments, fitting services, hearing aid batteries and follow-up.

Approved assessors working in district health boards don’t charge for assessments, but in some cases may charge a separate fitting fee for adults. You will need to pay for hearing aid batteries.

Ask your approved assessor to provide you with a written quote listing the services they provide and their repairs process. See an example of a quote below.

Approved assessors in private practice

Costs:
+ Audiological assessment service fee
+ Hearing aid fitting fees
+ Hearing aid batteries
= Total you pay

Approved assessors based in public hospital

Costs:
+ In some cases a separate fitting fee
+ Hearing aid batteries
= Total you pay

What type of hearing aid might I get?

Hearing aids come in a range of styles to suit different hearing needs and your personal situation. Your approved assessor will explain the benefits and things to consider when choosing a hearing aid.

1. Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids:

• sit behind the ear with a sound tube going into the ear
• are available in a range of sizes
• suit most levels of hearing loss
• are usually larger and easier to physically manage than in-the-ear models.

2. In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids:

• fit completely in the ear
• are available in a range of sizes
• smaller models may not be suitable for people with significant hearing loss
• may be prone to damage from moisture or ear wax
• are generally smaller and more fragile and can be more difficult to physically manage than behind-the-ear models.

Other features (accessories)

Some hearing aids have extra features to help you use your telephone, mobile phone and TV and can connect to other listening devices in halls, churches and theatres. Hearing aids may also have optional remote control units so that you can more easily adjust them yourself. Your approved assessor will tell you which extra features, if any, might help you with your hearing problem.

You may need to pay the balance if you choose hearing aids with accessories over and above what is recommended as essential for your hearing needs.

Hearing aids to meet your needs

Your approved assessor is required to recommend the most appropriate and cost-effective hearing aids to meet your needs and will discuss the options available to you.

Below is a general guide to some typical listening environments and the type of hearing aid that is most suited to each of these environments. Some features are common to two or more types of hearing aid. However, a basic hearing aid may be less adjustable than one that is used in more challenging listening environments, or the quality of sound may be different.

Warranty and repairs

It is normal for hearing aids to need servicing from time to time. They are sensitive electronic devices that require regular care and maintenance.

Manufacturers offer at least a 12-month warranty against any faulty parts. The warranty does not cover damage caused by moisture, wax or mistreatment, so it is important that you look after the hearing aid and keep it clean. Your approved assessor will explain how to do this and can also arrange for any repairs to be done for you. You will not need to pay for the repairs if you are able to get hearing aids through the Hearing Aid Funding Scheme.

For children’s hearing aids, your approved assessor arranges for repairs through the Deaf Education Centres.

Insurance

It is your responsibility to look after your hearing aids which the Ministry of Health has paid for. If something happens to them, you cannot get help to replace your hearing aids for six years after you have been approved for the Hearing Aid Funding Scheme (for adults). It is a good idea to insure them. Most home contents insurance will cover hearing aids but you may need to advise your insurer that you have them and update your policy.

Batteries

The life of the batteries in your hearing aids varies according to the model of hearing aid you get and how you use your hearing aids. You will need to buy hearing aid batteries yourself. Some hearing aid batteries are rechargeable.

The cost of batteries can vary so it’s a good idea to check the size and cost of batteries before you decide on a specific model of hearing aid. Cheap batteries may not work as well as more expensive types and there is a risk that they can leak inside the hearing aid. Your approved assessor can tell you the price of the batteries for the model you are thinking about getting.

An overview of the differences between types of hearing aids

Basic hearing aid features

Benefits

• suits people who usually talk to one or two people at a time (for example, at home or in a quiet setting)
• suits people who have a quiet lifestyle

Limitations

• may not be suitable for all types of hearing loss
• may not be as helpful as higher-range models in demanding or complex listening situations

Mid-range hearing aid features

Benefits

• suits people who are active and encounter difficult listening conditions more often (for example, in small groups or where there is a low level of background noise, such as in a church)

Limitations

• may not provide benefits in all listening environments

High range hearing aid features

Benefits

• suits people who have specific or complex hearing needs or who need to hear very well in challenging listening situations (for example, interacting with large groups where there is regular or disruptive background noise)

Limitations

• is a more expensive option
• could provide more features than are needed.

Sample quote form

Your approved assessor will give you a quote of the costs and services you may expect from them. The quote should include the information covered in the sample form below.

Name:
Date:
Audiologist/Audiometrist
Organisation:
Clinic:
Hearing needs:
Amplification:	Standard	High power			Non-standard
Specific needs:

 

Recommended product/s to trial:
	Brand	Model		Price		No.	Total (incl. GST)
Hearing aid/s:						1 / 2
Accessories:
Ear mould/domes:
Fitting fee:
Deposit:
Non-refundable fee:
Services included in fitting fee:
Total Cost to Client:
Ongoing Costs
Battery size:
Price / Pack:
Standard repair charges for brand attached.

For more information

Enable New Zealand

Freephone: 0800 362 253      
Phone: (06) 353 5800
Email: hearing@enable.co.nz
Website: http://www.disabilityfunding.co.nz/hearing

Publishing information

• Date of publication: 12 September 2016
• Hardcopy date of publication: 12 September 2016
• ISBN: ISBN 978-0-947515-53-9 (print) ISBN 978-0-947515-54-6 (online)
• HP number: 6467
• Ordering information:

Hard copy available to be ordered, also soft copy available to download

• Copyright status:

Owned by the Ministry of Health and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence.