The Hearing Association Christchurch is grateful to Stephanie Mears, Audiologist (pictured right) for supplying the following information on hearing aid funding.
Accident Compensation Commission (ACC)
ACC funding is available for those with hearing loss resulting from occupational noise exposure or from an accident. If you think you have a hearing loss caused by either of these things you should contact your General Practitioner who can initiate an ACC claim for you. Once the claim has been started you will need to see an Ear Nose and Throat specialist, to have the cause of your hearing loss diagnosed, and to see an Audiologist who is a Member of the New Zealand Audiological Society (MNZAS), for a full audiological assessment. Once these things have been done and the appropriate forms filled out, ACC will make a decision regarding whether they will provide funding for the hearing aids and how much they will provide.
War Pensions
To be eligible for funding for hearing aids from War Pensions, the veteran must:
- have an accepted hearing disability as a result of their military service, as defined by the War Pensions Act 1954 (available at public libraries)
- have had an assessment by an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist or audiologist and it is determined that hearing aids are essential
A sum of up to $800 (+GST) is available per hearing aid along with the costs involved with fitting the aids. The cost of any repairs is also covered and a battery allowance is included in the pension. If you think you may qualify for this funding you should see an Audiologist (MNZAS) or your General Practitioner.
Enable
Enable New Zealand is an organisation that manages health funding to provide assistance to people with disabilities. Hearing loss is considered as one such disability. For people that fit the criteria, Enable will partially fund the cost of hearing aids. The criteria are that a person needs hearing aids for one or more of the following reasons:
- to undertake full time employment (at least 30 hours per week)
- to undertake full time tertiary education
- to undertake vocational training
- to undertake voluntary work (at least 20 hours per week)
- to be the primary carer of dependent children
- to communicate your core needs and feelings
If you think you may be eligible for this kind of funding, your Audiologist can make an application for you. For them to do this you would need to provide written evidence that you meet one or more of the criteria . Further information is available on their website.
Government Subsidy
A government subsidy is available for New Zealand citizens or residents, which consists of $198.00 per hearing aid fitted. If you have been given a subsidy, a new subsidy will not be granted until at least five years has elapsed after this unless it can be shown that the hearing aids no longer meet your needs. Most prices that are quoted at Audiology clinics will already have this subsidy deducted from the price, but you can ask if unsure.
Hearing Aid Bank
For those who cannot afford hearing aids themselves and who are ineligible for other sources of funding, some hearing aids are available that have been donated by hearing aid manufacturers. These are obtained by your Audiologist making an application to the New Zealand Audiological Society. Evidence that you are unable to fund the cost of hearing aids yourself must be provided. If you think you may be eligible to make an application, please see an Audiologist who is a member of the New Zealand Audiological Society (MNZAS).
WINZ
Beneficiaries who are unable to pay for hearing aids themselves can approach WINZ for an interest-free loan that will enable them to purchase hearing aids. If the loan is approved, WINZ will then subtract a repayment amount weekly or fortnightly from the person's benefit until the loan has been paid back. Contact WINZ directly for more information on this.
» The above information is a guide. You should consult your Audiologist for specific information to fit your particular circumstances.
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