Hearing equipment
Assistive technology
Equipment that helps a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, such as hearing aids, alerting devices and other assistive listening technology.
The short answer
Hearing equipment helps people who are deaf or hard of hearing, and includes hearing aids, alerting devices and other assistive listening technology.
About Hearing equipment
Hearing technology ranges from hearing aids worn in or behind the ear to devices that amplify a television or phone, and alerting systems that use flashing lights or vibrations to signal a doorbell, alarm or baby monitor. Some people use cochlear implants, which are a different kind of technology that a specialist team assesses and provides.
An audiologist tests your hearing, explains the results and recommends devices that suit your hearing loss, lifestyle and budget. Fitting is a process: devices are programmed to your hearing and adjusted over time as you get used to them and as your needs change.
Getting used to hearing devices takes patience. Wearing them regularly, going back for adjustments and learning how to clean and care for them all help. Ask about follow-up appointments and support, and whether family and workplaces can be shown how to communicate in ways that help you.
Who is this service for?
People who are deaf or hard of hearing and use, or could benefit from, hearing aids, alerting devices or other assistive listening technology.
What a typical session looks like
Getting hearing equipment starts with a hearing assessment, after which an audiologist or hearing specialist recommends devices that match your hearing, your lifestyle and your preferences. Devices are then fitted and programmed, and you are shown how to insert them, use the controls, change batteries or charge them, and clean and store them.
The first stretch of use is a period of getting used to the sound, and follow-up appointments let the specialist fine-tune the settings. Regular reviews after that check the devices are working well and your hearing has not changed. Accessories such as remote microphones, phone connections and alerting devices may also be part of the picture.
Who delivers this support
Audiologists and audiometrists assess hearing and fit hearing devices, and some services are provided through hearing clinics, hospitals or government programs. Specialists in cochlear implants and other implantable devices work in specialist clinics. Ask about the range of devices the clinic can offer and whether they are independent or tied to one manufacturer.
How to choose a provider
- Ask about the audiologist's qualifications and whether they are independent or tied to a brand.
- Find out how many devices they can offer and how they choose between them.
- Ask about trial periods, warranty and repairs.
- Check what follow-up and adjustments are included.
- Ask about accessories such as remote microphones and alerting devices.
Questions to ask a provider
- What range of devices do you fit, and are you independent of any manufacturer?
- How will you match the device to my lifestyle and the situations where I struggle?
- What follow-up and adjustments are included after fitting?
- How do I clean, maintain and replace parts, and what happens if a device breaks?
- Are there accessories that could help with phone calls, television or noisy places?
- How often should I have my hearing and devices checked?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Giving up on a device during the adjustment period rather than returning for fine-tuning.
- Not asking about care and maintenance, which shortens the life of the device.
- Choosing based on price or appearance alone, without checking it suits how you live.
- Ignoring changes in hearing that mean the settings need updating.
- Not considering accessories that help in specific situations.
Getting started
- Book a hearing test with an audiologist.
- Talk through your situations and priorities, such as work, family or television.
- Trial the devices recommended.
- Return for adjustments and reviews as you settle in.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Hearing equipment is part of a broader approach to communication, alongside hearing services, communication supports and, for some people, sign language or interpreting. Good outcomes rely on ongoing care, since devices need maintenance and hearing can change. It also helps to think about equipment for specific situations such as work, study, phone calls and safety at home.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Hearing equipment if it is included in your NDIS plan. The NDIS funds supports that are reasonable and necessary: they relate to your disability, help you pursue your goals and represent value for money. Not sure whether it is in your plan? Check your plan, or ask your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
Funding
Assistive technology is funded according to its cost and complexity: lower-cost items are usually paid from a Core budget, and higher-cost or more complex items from a Capital budget, sometimes needing an assessment or quote. Your planner or an assistive technology advisor can explain how this applies to Hearing equipment. Whether your plan is managed by the NDIA, by a plan manager or by you, ask for a written quote and a service agreement before you start. If your plan is plan-managed or self-managed you can use providers who are not registered with the NDIS. If it is NDIA-managed you generally need a registered provider.
What it costs
Equipment prices vary widely with the type of item and how it is set up for you. Ask for a written quote that separates the item, fitting and training, and for information about warranty and servicing for Hearing equipment. Before you start, ask for a written quote that lists each support, the hours and the price, and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits on the NDIS website. A provider may charge less than a limit. If you pay privately, the provider sets its own fees. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use providers who are not registered, and those providers set their own prices.
Assistive technology & equipment providers on the NDIS register
4,258 NDIS providers list assistive technology & equipment supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing assistive technology & equipment
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 NSW Building Solutions - NSW; includes Annandale, NSW
- 1 Roof Therapy and Assessment - NSW; includes Caringbah, NSW
- 1 Stop Paediatric Services - SA; includes Mount Gambier, SA
- 101 Physio - VIC; includes Melton West, VIC
- 1st Care Community - QLD; includes Acacia Ridge, QLD
- 2 Right Feet Podiatry - VIC; includes Kilsyth, VIC
- 2 Right Feet Podiatry - VIC; includes Kilsyth, VIC
- 24 Hour Positioning - NSW; includes Chatswood, NSW
- 24 Seven Plan Management - WA; includes Canning Vale, WA
- 24/7 Nursing + Medical Services - NSW; includes Edgecliff, NSW
- 247 Divine Healthcare - QLD; includes Middle Ridge, QLD
See all 4,258 assistive technology & equipment providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (1,754)
- Victoria (1,004)
- Queensland (851)
- South Australia (348)
- Western Australia (347)
- Tasmania (102)
- Australian Capital Territory (100)
- Northern Territory (62)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (217)
- Sydney, NSW (139)
- Melbourne, VIC (134)
- Central Coast, NSW (110)
- Blacktown, NSW (79)
- Perth, WA (79)
- Parramatta, NSW (74)
- Liverpool, NSW (72)
- Bankstown, NSW (70)
- Canberra, ACT (63)
- Penrith, NSW (63)
- Adelaide, SA (58)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Bayside Mobile Physio - 185 areas
- Nurse Next Door Townsville - 171 areas
- Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
- Just Better Care Adelaide - 130 areas
- Right at Home Perth Northern Suburbs & Perth West Coast - 108 areas
- United for Care - 103 areas
- Anne Care Facilities - 101 areas
Checking credentials
- Check registration Search the NDIS Commission's register of registered providers to see whether a provider is registered and for which types of support. Plan-managed and self-managed participants can also use unregistered providers.
- Ask about worker screening Ask whether workers hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Check where their role requires one, and how the provider checks its workers' identity and qualifications.
- Get it in writing Ask for a written quote and a service agreement that describes the support, the prices, how to change or end it and how to make a complaint.
Regulation and safeguards
NDIS providers and their workers must follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, and registered providers are regulated by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission Regulates NDIS providers and handles complaints about the quality and safety of NDIS supports. Phone: 1800 035 544.
- National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) Runs the NDIS. Contact them about your plan, your funding and eligibility. Phone: 1800 800 110.
Related services
- Household task equipment
- Low-cost assistive technology
- Mobility equipment
- Personal care and safety equipment
Frequently asked questions
What hearing equipment is available?
Options include hearing aids, personal amplifiers, alerting devices such as flashing smoke alarms or doorbells, and technology that connects to phones and televisions.
Who fits and adjusts hearing devices?
An audiologist tests hearing, recommends devices and fits and adjusts them. Regular check-ups help make sure the devices keep working well as your hearing changes.
How do I get used to hearing aids?
It takes time. Wearing them regularly, going back for adjustments and getting training in how to use them all help. Ask your audiologist what to expect.
How long does it take to get used to hearing aids?
It varies from person to person. Regular wear and follow-up adjustments help, and your audiologist can advise what to expect.
Are hearing aids waterproof?
Some are more water-resistant than others. Ask your audiologist about care, especially if you swim or work outdoors.
Can children use hearing devices?
Yes. Children are assessed by audiologists with paediatric experience, and devices are adjusted as they grow.
Why do hearing aids need adjusting after they are fitted?
The brain takes time to adapt to new sounds, and real-life use shows what the clinic could not predict. Follow-up visits let the audiologist adjust settings so the sound is comfortable and clear.
Can hearing devices connect to my phone?
Many modern devices connect to phones and other equipment by Bluetooth. Ask the audiologist which options are available and compatible with your phone.
What should I do if a device stops working?
Check the battery or charging first, then contact your clinic. They can often repair or replace the device or provide a loan while it is being fixed.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Hearing equipment?
If Hearing equipment is in your NDIS plan and is reasonable and necessary for you, then yes. Check with your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator. You can also arrange it privately.
How do I find a Hearing equipment provider near me?
Browse providers on SolDirectory, or send a free enquiry with your location and what you need and suitable providers will review it. Then ask each one about availability, a quote and a service agreement before you decide. Details come from providers and registers, so confirm them directly.
Sources and further reading
- NDIS: how the NDIS works, plans and price limits
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission: find a registered provider, make a complaint
Browse the NDIS and aged care provider directory
Helpful reading
- How to choose an NDIS provider: 12 questions to ask before you commit: A practical checklist for comparing providers, from how a service fits your plan to what happens when something goes wrong.
- Registered or unregistered? What it means when you choose an NDIS provider: Registered and unregistered providers can both be legitimate, but the rules, checks and options for your plan are not the same. Here is how to think about the difference.
- How to change NDIS provider without losing support: You are allowed to change providers. A little planning means the new service is ready before the old one ends, and nothing falls through the gap.