Private Health Insurance For Hearing Aids

It doesn’t matter how old you are – if your hearing starts to deteriorate, it’s important you have the right level of private health insurance to mitigate your hearing device costs now, and into the future.

 To help clarify how much hearing aids in Australia cost and how private health insurance can cover some – or all – of these expenses, this guide takes you through everything you need to know.

When do I need a hearing aid?

While the onset of hearing loss is more common as we age, it can also impact younger Australians. In some cases, you may not realise you’re losing your hearing because it happens slowly and over an extended period of time. Do your family members continually ask you to turn down the television? Are you constantly asking people to repeat what they’ve said, even when they’re standing right next to you?

Do loud noises like traffic make it almost impossible to have a conversation with someone out in public? These could all be symptoms of hearing loss. So, if you think you’re starting to lose your hearing, it’s important to speak to a medical professional and find out whether or not you’ll need hearing aids.

How much money should I expect to pay for a hearing aid?

Hearing aids come in all shapes and sizes, and the associated costs differ depending on your needs. Many people with hearing loss require two hearing aids, while others need only one.

There are also more premium technologies like rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth connectivity that can drive up the price of specific hearing aid models. In general, hearing aid prices start at around the $1,300 mark for standard devices but can exceed $4,500 for higher-end products.

This high price is a barrier to entry for many Australians but private health insurance with extras cover can reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

Where can I book a hearing test?

If you think you may be experiencing hearing loss, the first step is getting checked. You can book a free hearing test and consultation with Hearing Aid Finder. Once you do your hearing test, your healthcare professional will be able to advise on whether you need hearing aids, as well as which hearing device will be the most appropriate for your needs.

Is hearing aid insurance worth it?

Because new hearing aids are quite expensive, it’s important to protect them against loss, theft or damage.

Taking out a contents insurance policy (or as part of a home and contents policy) may allow you to cover hearing aid repairs so you aren’t footing the bill for a replacement should your hearing aid/s get damaged or stolen.

Why doesn't Medicare cover hearing aids?

Even though hearing loss impacts approximately 3.6 million people right around Australia, Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids.

Medicare places hearing procedures – including hearing exams, fittings and the devices themselves – in the same camp as dental and vision procedures, as well as ambulance services and cosmetic surgery.

That is, they’re not considered essential healthcare. That said, there are some government-funded programs available to eligible Aussies, including:

• Australian Government’s Hearing Services Voucher Program

• The Office of Hearing Services

• Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA)

• National Disability Insurance Scheme

• WorkCover

• Hearing Aid Banks

If you’re not eligible for any of the above, private health cover may be the best way to avoid paying the total cost of your new hearing aid/s out of your own pocket.

Which Australian health funds include cover for hearing aids?

Most of Australia’s top private health funds include rebates for hearing aids as part of their policies. In most cases, this is included in their higher level extras cover.

While this cover costs more to include hearing aids, it often comes with generous annual limits for other inclusions, which can be good value if you make full use of all the benefits.

The cost of extras cover varies widely, based on your fund, your age, your lifestyle and your current health requirement.

It’s best to compare options from a range of health insurance funds so you can find a policy to suit your circumstances and budget. Compare Club can help you identify great value policies that cover hearing aids.

How long are the waiting periods for hearing aids?

With most private health insurers, you must to serve a waiting period before you can access financial support for hearing aids.

Some providers require a 12-month waiting period. However, this isn’t the case across all policies. In fact, some providers have 24-month and even 36-month waiting periods for hearing aid cover.

To avoid any nasty surprises, make sure you find out the exact length of the waiting period you’ll have to serve before signing up for your policy.

What offers better hearing aid coverage: hospital cover or extras?

Not all private health providers include hearing aids in their policies, so it’s important to compare funds that include hearing aids as part of their product.

Hearing aids are generally included as part of extras cover. Just like dental and optical cover, you’ll need to take out an extras policy to reduce any out-of-pocket costs of getting hearing aids.

If you only have hospital cover, you may not be entitled to any health insurance rebate for hearing aids, though hospital cover can be used for ear, nose and throat surgery.

If you’re unsure, read your policy’s documentation and speak to the provider to determine which policies include hearing aid cover, or ask one of our experts today.

Are audiologists covered under private health insurance?

Just like hearing devices, many private health funds include hearing assessments (such as consultations and exams with audiologists) as part of their extras cover.

It’s important to see an audiologist before getting hearing aids as they will be able to assess your hearing needs in detail. While your doctor will be able to check for earwax build-up in a regular consultation, they won’t be able to provide the services of an audiologist, who looks into causes like hearing loss, tinnitus and any potential loss of balance.

Without appropriate Extras cover any subsequent costs for hearing aids will likely have to be paid by yourself. Get started comparing health insurance policies# that cover hearing aids with the experts at Compare Club#.

Sources

https://www.hearingchoices.com.au/hearing-aids/hearing-aid-prices/

https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/ear-health#:~:text=In%20Australia%3A,people%20suffer%20from%20hearing%20loss

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/whats-covered-medicare/health-care-and-medicare

https://www.hearing.com.au/Hearing-products/How-to-choose/Hearing-aids-and-insurance

https://www.valuehearing.com.au/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-hearing-aid-insurance

https://www.hcia.com.au/hearing-health-advocacy-efforts/hearing-health-resources/hearing-health-insurance-benefits-comparison/#.X9YkRtgzZPY

Chris Stanley is the sales & operations manager of health insurance at Compare Club. With extensive experience and expertise, Chris is a trusted leader known for his deep understanding of health insurance markets, policies, and coverage options. As the sales & operations manager of health insurance, Chris leads a team of dedicated professionals committed to helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their health insurance needs.

Meet our health insurance expert, Chris Stanley

Chris's top health insurance tips

• 1

  Australia’s public health system is world-class, but wait times for public hospitals can be long, inconvenient - and leave you living in constant pain while you wait.

• 2

  An appropriate private health insurance policy can speed up your surgery, relieving your pain sooner.

• 3

  Family health cover means your children are covered under the same policy as you.

• 4

  Many health insurance policies come with a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy-related cover, so it’s a good idea to get a family policy organized well before starting your family. This means your child will be covered from birth until at least their early twenties (depending on which health fund you select).