Funding

Maximising Your Funding Options

Understanding the funding options available for hearing care can be complex. Pristine Hearing is here to help you navigate the various funding schemes, including the NDIS, to ensure you have access to the hearing services you need. Our team is experienced in working with various funding bodies and can guide you through the process of accessing funding for hearing aids, assistive devices, and other hearing services. We’re committed to making hearing care accessible and affordable for everyone.

From initial consultations to fitting and ongoing support, Pristine Hearing ensures your funding is maximised to provide the best possible hearing solutions. Let us help you understand and access the funding you’re entitled to.

We can offer advice for:

  • NDIS Support
  • Hearing Aid Funding Assistance
  • Information on Medicare Rebates
  • Guidance on Private Health Insurance Benefits
  • Private
  • Veterans
  • NDIS
  • Medicare
  • WorkCover

Health Insurance

Some health funds provide funding towards hearing aids (up to $1,000 per device), hearing aid repairs as well as hearing tests. Shop around for the best health insurance if you are going to need help with your hearing as this could help you purchase better hearing aids.

Hearing Aid Bank

Hearing Aid banks are available in most states, to help low-income workers who are not eligible for public funding with access to fully reconditioned hearing aids free of charge. Pristine Hearing runs its own Hearing Aid Bank.

Interest Free payment Options

Some (not all) hearing aid providers offer an interest-free payment plan option for patients. At Pristine Hearing we are happy to offer this option for both devices and services to make it easier to afford certain treatment options.

Superannuation

Those who have difficulty paying for hearing aids may be able to access money from their superannuation early. This is dependent on your super fund, so it’s best to talk to them before going down this pathway. You will usually require a recent hearing test from an audiologist (nothing older than 6 months) as well as a quote or unpaid invoice for the required amount to pay for the hearing aids. For more information about this, please visit here (https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/early-release-superannuation).

Personal Loan

​Another option to finance hearing aids is to get a personal loan. A personal loan will incur an interest rate although the costs of a hearing aid can be spread over years instead of upfront. Like with credit cards, best to shop around and seek independent financial advice.

Tax Rebates

​Although not a funding option per se, some individuals may be able to use the net cost of hearing aids as a tax-deductible purchase. Eligibility criteria apply and this may change from year to year. We recommend speaking to an accountant for advice as to what is claimable and who is eligible.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)

DVA will not cover the costs of hearing aids. If you have a DVA Gold or DVA White (hearing specific) card, you can access funding towards various assistive listening devices when clinically required. These devices must be part of the DVA RAP schedule and usually require prior approval.

Australian Government’s Hearing Services Voucher Program

You can access this program if you belong to the following categories. This funding helps subsidise hearing aids and pays for audiology consulting time.

  • Aged Pension
  • DVA Gold
  • DVA White (hearing specific)
  • Sickness Allowance
  • Dependent of Above
  • Member of the ADF
  • Referred by Disability Employment Services
  • NDIS participant (until July 2019)

Australian Government’s Hearing CSO Program

You can only access CSO services from Australian Hearing. This program provides funding for better hearing aids, remote microphone systems and more specialised audiology consulting time.

  • 0-25 years old with permanent hearing loss
  • Young NDIS participants (0-6yo)
  • 50 year old+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
  • Anyone on the Voucher Program above but has complex hearing or communication needs (80dBHL 3FAHL in the better ear, poor vision or other cognitive issues) or lives in a remote area.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

To qualify for hearing funding, you must satisfy the following criteria:

  • 0-25 years old with auditory neuropathy or at least a permanent 25dBHL hearing loss in the better ear AND requires amplification; OR
  • 26 – 65 year-old with at least a 65dBHL hearing loss in the better ear AND has significant difficulties; OR
  • 26 – 65 years old with at least a 90bBHL hearing loss in the better ear.

Medicare

Medicare will not fund hearing aids but will contribute towards the cost of hearing assessments performed by an Audiologist when requested by an ENT, neurologist, paediatrician and GP under specific situations.

If you need more information about this, please give us a call at (08)6336 7170 or email us.

Australian Government’s Hearing Services Voucher Program

You can access this program if you belong to the following categories. This funding helps subsidise hearing aids and pays for audiology consulting time.

  • Aged Pension
  • DVA Gold
  • DVA White (hearing specific)
  • Sickness Allowance
  • Dependent of Above
  • Member of the ADF
  • Referred by Disability Employment Services
  • NDIS participant (until July 2019)

Australian Government’s Hearing CSO Program

You can only access CSO services from Australian Hearing. This program provides funding for better hearing aids, remote microphone systems and more specialised audiology consulting time.

  • 0-25 years old with permanent hearing loss
  • Young NDIS participants (0-6yo)
  • 50 year old+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
  • Anyone on the Voucher Program above but has complex hearing or communication needs (80dBHL 3FAHL in the better ear, poor vision or other cognitive issues) or lives in a remote area.

If you have sustained a hearing loss due to noise exposure at work, you may be entitled to compensation as a lump sum, weekly payment or to pay for the cost of hearing aids. Specific state legislation applies.

What Our Patients Say

“Thanks to Pristine Hearing, my mother can participate fully in life again. Their personalised service and the latest hearing aids have improved her hearing dramatically. We’re all grateful for the joy and confidence they’ve restored.”

Brendan Russell

“The professionals at Pristine Hearing made getting a hearing aid a comfortable experience, offering expert advice and support. Thanks to their advanced technology, I can hear clearly in any situation. It’s made a world of difference in my life.”

Nikki Wright

“Pristine Hearing changed my life with their top-notch hearing aids and caring service. I can now enjoy conversations and the beautiful sounds around me. Their team made sure I found the perfect fit, and I’m so grateful for the new lease on life they’ve given me.”

Courtney Reid

Service was really good. I had an extremely, painful ear wax blockage and someone recommended to these guys. The cleaning was thorough and you get your money’s worth. It will feel really strange for the first time but afterwards, you get used it. The audiologist also dresses like an absolute dapper gentlemen and the receptionist was also excellent.

Vincent Lee

“This is way better than the standard GP water syringe technique. They’re warm, friendly, welcoming, professional. Highly recommend this service for anyone with blocked ear/s and even just maintenance once a year. Thanks heaps for your help. Many blessings to you for 2024!”

Dave Socorro

“My partner Stephen went swimming with grandchildren and his ears blocked up. Pristeen hearing made room for him straight away, cleaned ears of lots of wax and he was hearing normal within 15 minutes. Great service, highly recommended.”

Robin o’donoghue