Services - Consumer Advice
The staff at Better Hearing Australia (Vic) are able to provide information and advice either verbally and/or in writing on a range of consumer issues.
Don’t delay
Statistics show that people generally wait six to ten years before taking action about their hearing loss. Yet when a person does decide to do something about their hearing loss, the benefits are immeasurable.
The hearing loss maze
If you’ve decided to do something about your hearing problem you need to know what steps to take. There is a lot to know about hearing loss management and the more you know the easier it is to make educated and informed decisions, particularly when it comes to obtaining hearing aids and other hearing technology.
The qualified staff at Better Hearing Australia (Vic) can help you navigate your way through the hearing loss maze - some call it a minefield! We provide professional, up- to-date, independent information and advice on a range of issues including:
- hearing aids
- assistive listening devices
- communication strategies.
We tailor our advice to your particular situation and individual requirements. We also provide written information.
Eligible for free testing or hearing aids?
- Are you eligible for free hearing testing and free hearing aids from the Australian Government Hearing Services Program?
- If eligible, how do you access this Program?
- If not eligible, how do you locate a provider in private practice?
Provider qualifications
Both audiologists and audiometrists provide hearing services and both sell hearing aids. Do you understand the difference in qualification between an audiologist and an audiometrist?
Hearing tests
- Are you aware of the types of hearing tests that a provider of hearing services must carry out?
- Do you understand your audiogram (graph of hearing test results)?
- Do you understand the type and level of your hearing loss? This should not be described as a ‘percentage of loss’ unless it is related to a worker’s compensation claim.
- Are you aware of your right to take home a copy of your hearing test results?
Hearing Aids
- What do hearing aids do and what don’t they do?
- What programs and features can be included in a hearing aid?
- Are you aware of the telecoil program and how it works with the audio/hearing loops installed in many community facilities?
- Do you know whether your hearing aid has the telecoil program?
- Are you aware of the different types of hearing aid: behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in the canal (ITC) or completely in the canal (CIC)?
- What things do you need to consider in order to choose the most suitable type of hearing aid for you?
- What is an open-fitting earmould?
- Are you aware of the need to learn to hear again with hearing aids?
- Are you aware that you can arrange a trial period when purchasing hearing aids?
- What is a reasonable trial period?
- Are you aware of your entitlements should you choose to return the hearing aid/s?
- Have you discussed a maintenance agreement with your hearing aid provider?
- What are ‘top-up’ hearing aids provided to Office of Hearing Services clients?
Hearing aid cost comparison
There are 5 items of information you need to obtain to be able to compare prices offered by various providers of hearing aids. You can’t compare by merely saying ‘My provider has recommended brand x at a cost of so many dollars’.
The staff at Better Hearing Australia (Vic) can provide detailed information about comparing the cost of hearing aids.
Assistive technology
Are you aware of assistive technology, apart from hearing aids, that can assist you in living life independently despite your hearing loss? Devices for use with or without hearing aids are available for:
- personal conversation listening
- telephones
- television
- radio and other sound systems
- alerting you eg doorbells, alarms.
See the Assistive Technology section of our site for more information.
Free listening devices
If you are a client of the Australian Government Hearing Services Program you are entitled to alternative hearing equipment should you opt not to wear hearing aids.
The Department of Veterans Affairs will supply you with various hearing technology (depending on the colour of your VA card).
Communication strategies
- Are you aware of simple, straightforward tips to help you understand better what people are saying?
- Do you understand the important role of communication partners?
- Do you require assistance and training to help other people communicate more clearly with you?
Contact a Better Hearing Australia (Vic) Hearing Advisor to obtain assistance with any of these questions.