Hearing aid banks may be able to provide an alternative source of hearing aids for individual’s who are unable to fund the full cost of their own hearing aids and do not meet the eligibility of other hearing services. Hearing aid banks receive donated hearing aids, recondition them and then fit them for clients at little or no cost. The services offered differ slightly from state to state and are funded by non-for-profit organisations with some funding from territory and state government:
- ACT—do not currently operate a hearing aid bank service
- New South Wales—provide reconditioned hearing aids to individuals with a health care card and usually only provide one hearing aid
- Northern Territory—provide one hearing aid, which is usually a new analogue hearing aid although do also provide reconditioned hearing aids on occasions. Individuals are required to pay a membership fee for the service
- Queensland—provide one hearing aid for individuals with a Health Care card or with insufficient funds to purchase privately. Individuals require a referral to use the service
- South Australia—provide recycled hearing aids to low income groups, pensioners and hearing impaired workers at risk of losing their jobs.
- Tasmania—provide assistance to those who can not access hearing aid services due to cost and eligibility
- Victoria—do not have any official eligibility criteria but only assist individuals who are unable to fund their own aids and are not eligible for assistance from any other service. Usually only provide one hearing aid and a small cost is sometimes applicable
- Western Australia—do not currently operate a hearing aid bank service.
Most hearing aid banks have limitations due to the difficulty keeping up with demand for supply and often not being able to supply up to date technology due to relying on hearing aid donations. There are limitations regarding adapting donated aids to suit someone else as they may not fully meet their needs. However, these services provide invaluable assistance to individuals who would otherwise not be able to receive hearing assistance.
Workplace solutions and adjustments
For a person who has a hearing difficulty, a hearing aid may assist them to communicate more effectively in the workplace. However as hearing aids are considered medical aids, funding is not available for these through the Employment Assistance Fund.
Financial assistance may however be available from the Australian Government via the Hearing Services Voucher scheme providing the person meets the eligibility criteria. For more information see the link in the related links section.
The eligibility to receive a hearing aid from a hearing aid bank will normally depend on the person’s financial circumstances and the availability of a suitable hearing aid.
There are various other options that can also assist someone with a hearing difficulty in the workplace including:
References
Better Hearing Australia (no date specified), Services – Hearing Aid Bank and Community Assistance Scheme (CAS), Better Hearing Australia, Prahran, viewed 9 August 2011, http://www.betterhearing.org.au/services_hearbank.htm.
Department of Health and Ageing 2011, Information for Clients: Hearing Aid Banks, Australian Government, Canberra, viewed 9 August 2011, http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-hear-client11.htm.
Parliament Of Australia Senate 2010, Chapter 5: Adequacy of Access to Hearing Services, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, viewed 9 August 2011, http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/clac_ctte/hearing_health/report/c05.htm.
Self Help for Hard of Hearing People 2007, Hearing Aid Bank, Self Help for Hard of Hearing People (Australia) Inc., Turramurra, viewed 9 August 2011, http://www.shhhaust.org/NewBank.html.