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Australia is a great country for people with hearing loss, as the Australian Government supports them in various ways. The Disability Discrimination Act makes it illegal to discriminate against people with hearing loss, and the government provides access to hearing services, tests, devices, education, and support. The Hearing Services Program offers subsidised high-quality hearing services and devices to eligible Australians, and there are also support services for specific groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, children, veterans, and those who have worked in noisy environments. Australia also has organisations like Deaf Connect, Deafness Forum of Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, and Hearing Matters Australia, which support people with hearing loss and their families. So, if you're considering migrating to Australia and have hearing loss, you'll find a range of services and support available to help you live a better quality of life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Discrimination laws | Discrimination against people with hearing loss is illegal in Australia |
| Hearing Services Program | Provides subsidised hearing services and devices to eligible Australians |
| Eligibility for Hearing Services Program | Australian citizens or permanent residents aged 21 or older who are pensioner concession cardholders or their spouses |
| Voucher scheme | Eligible people can access a voucher for fully or partially subsidised devices and services |
| Community Service Obligations (CSO) | If eligible, people can receive specialist hearing services through CSO |
| NDIS | People with hearing loss may be eligible for NDIS services and support |
| Workplace rights | Employers must provide appropriate hearing protection and bi-annual hearing tests in noisy environments |
| Compensation | People who have suffered hearing loss due to workplace noise may be able to claim compensation |
| Support services | Various organisations provide support and resources for people with hearing loss, such as Deaf Connect, Deafness Forum of Australia, and Hearing Matters Australia |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander support | Specific programs and initiatives target hearing health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
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What You'll Learn
Eligibility for the Hearing Services Program
Voucher Scheme
To be eligible for the voucher scheme, you must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or a resident of Norfolk Island. You must also be 21 years or older and either hold a Pensioner Concession Card or be the spouse of a cardholder.
Community Service Obligations (CSO)
Eligibility for CSO requires that you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident or live on Norfolk Island. Additionally, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
- Participate in the Community Development Program (formerly the Remote Jobs and Communities Program or the Community Development Employment Projects Program)
- Have participated in the Community Development Employment Projects Program since 30 June 2013 and received hearing services from Hearing Australia before discontinuing participation
- Have a 3-frequency average hearing loss of 80 dB or more in both ears
It is important to note that incarcerated individuals are still eligible for CSO services, but access will need to be negotiated between the correctional facility and Hearing Australia.
Other Eligibility Information
The Australian Government also provides support for individuals with hearing loss in other ways. All children and young people under the age of 26 are eligible for hearing assessment, rehabilitation, and fully subsidised hearing devices. Additionally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are supported through the Hearing Australia program, which focuses on prevention, early detection, and treatment of hearing loss within these communities.
If you work in a noisy environment with noise levels greater than 85 dB, your workplace is required to provide hearing protection and bi-annual hearing tests. If your hearing loss is caused by workplace noise, you may be eligible for compensation, including hearing devices and rehabilitation treatment.
Finally, if you are not eligible for the Hearing Services Program, there may be other options for support. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may provide hearing support if deemed reasonable and necessary by your planner. Veterans who are not eligible for the Hearing Services Program may also have access to hearing support through the DVA.
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Rights and compensation
In Australia, hearing impairment and deafness are covered under the Disability Discrimination Act, which makes it illegal to discriminate against a person with hearing loss. The Australian Government also provides support to people with hearing loss in various ways.
Rights
The Australian Government's Hearing Services Program provides subsidised high-quality hearing services and devices to eligible Australians with hearing loss. Eligibility criteria include being an Australian citizen or permanent resident, living on Norfolk Island, and being 21 years or older. Incarcerated people are also eligible for services, which will need to be negotiated between the correctional facility and the service provider.
If you are 26 years or older with hearing loss, you may be eligible to receive assistance from the NDIS. This includes those with a permanent hearing impairment of greater than 90 decibels in the better ear, or 65 decibels if there is evidence of a substantially reduced functional capacity.
If you work in a noisy environment with noise greater than 85dB, your workplace is required to provide you with appropriate hearing protection and bi-annual hearing tests. If your workplace noise has caused permanent hearing loss and tinnitus, you have the right to claim compensation, which could include a sum of money, hearing devices, and rehabilitation treatment.
Support Services
There are numerous support services available for people with hearing loss in Australia. These include:
- Deaf Connect, which supports people with hearing loss to make choices and take action
- Deafness Forum of Australia, which represents the views of Australians living with hearing loss
- Deaf Sports Australia, which helps people with hearing loss participate in sports
- Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, which provides education and employment pathways
- Disability Employment Services, which helps people with disabilities find and keep jobs
- First Voice, which advocates for member organisations providing early intervention services for children
- Hearing Matters Australia, which supports people with hearing loss and their families
- Information about Disability Education Awareness Services, which provides timely and unbiased information about hearing loss and disability
- John Pierce Centre (Vic), which helps people with hearing loss and their families live their lives to the fullest
- National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), which evaluates hearing services program devices and makes recommendations for updates
- The Shepherd Centre, which provides specialised programs for children with hearing loss and their families
- Telephone support (Telstra), which provides products to support people who cannot easily use standard phones
- Victorian Deaf Education Institute (Vic), which works with early childhood, schools, and universities to improve educational outcomes
Compensation
As mentioned, if you have experienced hearing loss due to workplace noise, you may be able to claim compensation through WorkCover in your state or territory. This could include monetary compensation, hearing devices, and rehabilitation treatment. Most states and territories also have hearing aid banks that provide reconditioned hearing devices.
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Support services
Australia has a range of support services for people with hearing loss, including migrants. Here are some of the key support services available:
Hearing Services Program (HSP): The Australian Government's Hearing Services Program provides subsidised high-quality hearing services and devices to eligible Australians with hearing loss. The program is managed by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. To be eligible, individuals must meet certain criteria, such as having a permanent hearing impairment of greater than 90 decibels in the better ear. The HSP also includes a voucher scheme, where eligible individuals can receive a voucher for fully or partially subsidised devices and related services.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS): The NDIS is a national scheme that provides support for Australians with disabilities, including hearing loss. If you are an NDIS participant and are not eligible for HSP services, your NDIS plan might still provide for hearing support if your planner assesses it as reasonable and necessary.
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations: This department provides education and employment pathways for people with hearing loss, helping them find and keep jobs.
Disability Employment Services: This service helps people with disabilities, including hearing loss, to find work and maintain their employment.
Hearing Matters Australia (HMA): HMA is a support service for people with hearing loss and their families, offering information, support, and guidance to improve their quality of life. They provide assistance via telephone, face-to-face meetings, peer support, a quarterly journal, and Facebook groups.
The Shepherd Centre: The Shepherd Centre provides specialised programs for children with hearing loss and their families, offering support and resources to help them manage and live with hearing loss.
Telephone Support (Telstra): Telstra provides specialised products and support for people with hearing loss who cannot easily use standard phones, helping them stay connected and communicate effectively.
Australian Sign Language Interpreter's Association: This association provides a list of Auslan (Australian sign language) interpreters, who can be booked for various settings, including medical appointments.
Caption It: Caption It offers live and offline captioning services, providing subtitles and language captioning to support people with hearing loss in understanding spoken content.
National Sign Language Program (NLSP): The NLSP provides free sign language interpreting and captioning services for medical and health appointments. They also offer free interpretation for other professional and social settings, aiding communication and access to information.
These support services aim to assist individuals with hearing loss in various aspects of their lives, ensuring they have the necessary tools, resources, and opportunities to participate fully in Australian society.
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Available treatments
Australia offers a range of treatments and support services for people with hearing loss. The Australian Government's Hearing Services Program (HSP) provides subsidised hearing services and devices to eligible individuals. This includes hearing tests, devices, education, and support for people with all levels of hearing loss. Additionally, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers assistance to those with permanent hearing impairment of greater than 90 decibels in the better ear or 65 decibels with evidence of reduced functional capacity.
Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, and treatments vary depending on the type and cause. Some general treatments and management strategies include:
- Hearing aids: Hearing aids are common treatments that can help amplify sounds and improve hearing ability. They are often recommended for sensorineural and age-related hearing loss.
- Cochlear implants: Cochlear implant surgery is a more invasive treatment option that can provide sound stimulation to the auditory nerve. While it may affect balance and residual hearing, it can restore most of your hearing.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, can be used to treat ear infections that may be causing hearing loss. Corticosteroids may also be prescribed to reduce swelling in the cochlea hair cells, which can be damaged by loud noises.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat hearing loss. This includes tympanoplasty for ruptured eardrums, tympanostomy to insert ear tubes, or procedures to remove tumours or excess earwax.
- Hearing protection: For individuals who work in noisy environments, appropriate hearing protection is crucial. Employers are required to provide hearing protection and regular hearing tests to monitor hearing levels.
It is important to consult with an audiologist or a healthcare professional to determine the most suitable treatment option for your specific condition. They will be able to assess your hearing, explain the test results, and recommend the best course of treatment.
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Migration process
Australia has various support services for people with hearing loss. The Australian Government's Hearing Services Program provides subsidised high-quality hearing services and devices to eligible Australians with hearing loss. The eligibility criteria for the program are as follows:
- You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or live on Norfolk Island.
- You must be 21 years or older.
- You must be a pensioner concession cardholder or the spouse of a cardholder.
If you are eligible, you will receive a voucher for a fully or partially subsidised device and related services, including a hearing assessment. The voucher is valid for 5 years from the date of issue.
If you are not eligible for the Hearing Services Program, there are other ways to access hearing services. For example, if you are a veteran, you might have access to DVA hearing support. If you are an NDIS participant, your NDIS plan might provide for hearing support if assessed as reasonable and necessary.
Additionally, there are other organisations that provide support for people with hearing loss, such as Deaf Connect, Deafness Forum of Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, and Hearing Matters Australia. These organisations offer various services, including empowerment through information and support, advocacy, and helping people with hearing loss to participate in sports.
It is important to note that the Australian Government also supports people with hearing loss through the Disability Discrimination Act, which makes it against the law to discriminate against a person with a hearing impairment. This includes discrimination in the workplace, where employers are required to provide appropriate hearing protection and bi-annual hearing tests if the noise level is greater than 85dB.
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Frequently asked questions
Hearing impairment and deafness are covered by the Disability Discrimination Act, which makes it illegal to discriminate against a person with hearing loss. The Australian Government also provides various services to support people with hearing loss, including the Hearing Services Program, which offers subsidised hearing services and devices to eligible Australians.
The Hearing Services Program (HSP) is a government initiative that provides subsidised hearing services and devices to eligible Australians with hearing loss. The program is managed by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. To check your eligibility and find out more information, visit health.gov.au/our-work/hearing-services-program.
To be eligible for the Hearing Services Program, you must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or live on Norfolk Island. You must also be 21 years or older and meet specific medical criteria, such as having a hearing impairment of greater than 90 decibels in the better ear. You can check your eligibility using the online quiz on the HSP website.
There are several support services available for people with hearing loss in Australia, including Deaf Connect, Deafness Forum of Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, and Hearing Matters Australia. These organisations provide information, advocacy, and support to people with hearing loss and their families. There are also specific programs for children with hearing loss, such as The Shepherd Centre, and services that provide access to sign language interpreters and captioning, such as the National Sign Language Program.
If you have worked in a noisy environment that caused your hearing loss, you may be able to claim compensation through WorkCover in your state or territory. Your workplace is also required to provide you with appropriate hearing protection and regular hearing tests if you work in an environment with noise levels greater than 85dB.
