Hearing aids - what you need to know
Hearing aids (prescribed by an audiologist and fit to your hearing loss, ears and needs)
Hearing aids are medical grade devices that comply with strict regulations around how they are made and what their marketing intent can claim. In Australia, hearing aids must comply with the Therapy and Goods Administration (TGA) and the businesses that make them, must also comply (how they operate and where these medical grade products are made). Whilst hearing aids can have certain features like Bluetooth connectivity, the manner in which they are programmed is different from how earbuds that claim to do the same are programmed.
Hearing aids can only be sold by registered professionals and it is important you understand who is fitting you (an audiologist or an audiometrist or other). You will not find a hearing aid in a consumer electronic store, for example, JB-Hi Fi or Office works. As hearing aids are available from registered professionals, it's important to understand the professional service portion (aural rehabilitation, counselling etc) that is needed to get the best benefit from hearing aids.
Cost of hearing aids - the hardware
If you are a private client, the prices for hearing aids a pair (a binaural fitting) vary from $1990 to $9000.
If you have access to government funding or private health, you can use this towards your hearing aids.
Auditory rehabilitiation - the software
At Perth Audiology & Dizziness not only do we offer gold standard audiology care, we think holistically about audiology care. Whilst hearing aids can get you 70% to 80% improvement, by doing auditory rehab. You can gain more auditory (brain) improvements through auditory training. Perth Audiology & Dizziness is one of the only clinic licensed in Perth, Western Australia to prescribe this training.
Professional services
I always stress that the hardware is one aspect of your hearing care. We can price match for most hearing aid quotes that are valid, however we are professional service based clinic and there may be out of pocket service fees that apply to your appointment.
Auracast read hearing aids are Perth Audiology & Dizziness
Auracast is rolling out across the USA, UK and it has started in Australia (QLD and NSW so far). Auracast is a wireless broadcast audio technology built on Bluetooth LE Audio that lets a single device (like your auracast ready hearing aids) stream sound to an unlimited number of nearby compatible receivers simultaneously.Think of it like an FM system for your hearing aids. Instead of having to hold a button or put something into pairing mode, aurcast allows you to seamlessly connect your hearing aids to an 'FM' like system with a click of a button.
At Perth Audiology & Dizziness our latest hearing aids are auracast ready.
Pension Card Holder and Hearing aids
If you hold an Australian Pension card you may be eligible to access the Hearing Services Program (HSP). This program covers the costs of services and devices you may need. You can check your eligibility online here or give me a call and I can check your eligibility for you. Being a HSP eligible person means the government will provide a subsidy for your devices and your audiological services. The contribution you make is minimal. Please note, you can also contribute to a better set of hearing aids (level of technology) if you feel you require more technology then the fully subsidized ones.
Please note, not all services are covered by the HSP. In fact, only one hearing test a year and entry level hearing aids are covered by this program. Check the HSP website for more information. Additional fees may apply.
Consumer grade devices (not requiring a professional fitting, note these don't take into account your hearing loss type or ear shape and size)
Headphones or earbuds (like Apple Airpod Pro's)
Consumer grade products like Bluetooth headphones or earbuds aren't required to comply by TGA law. These products are limited in how they perform and what they can do compared to hearing aids.
It's important to be aware of the marketing claims by the companies who make these products, and understand the differences between the claims made by a marketing team compared to the support and education you receive from an audiologist. Please note, the law in the USA and likely, Australia, will change in how some products in this area are managed. In the USA, the Over-The-Counter (OTC) hearing aid act has been enacted meaning there is now an emerging market that blends consumer grade technologies with some speech enhancement features. Brands like Apple Airpod Pro's and others, are moving into this category of OTC devices. Australia is following.
Implantable devices (like the cochlear implant)
The cochlear implant, middle ear implant and brainstem implant are medical grade devices. Similar to hearing aids, this category of device complies with strict TGA law. Implantable devices require a service portion, usually consisting of a surgical portion (by an ENT, Neurologist etc) and an audiological or allied health portion to support you. The surgeon will perform the implant and the allied health professional will support your rehabilitation.
Brands of hearing aids sold at Perth Audiology Clinic
As we are not owned by a hearing aid manufacturer we sell all brands of hearing aids. This means we prescribe hearing aids based on your unique needs, not just because the clinic is owned by a hearing aid manufacturer or retail chain.
Brands include:
Starkey, Sonova brands (Phonak and Unitron), Beltone, GN Resound, Signia, Widex, Oticon.
