Hearing services and audiology
NDIS support
Audiologists assess hearing, recommend and fit devices such as hearing aids, and give advice on managing hearing loss.
The short answer
Audiologists test hearing, recommend and fit hearing devices, and give advice on managing hearing loss and related conditions such as tinnitus.
About Hearing services and audiology
An audiologist is a health professional who specialises in hearing and balance. A hearing assessment measures how well you hear sounds at different pitches and volumes and how well you understand speech. The results guide advice about management, which might include devices, communication strategies, protection from noise or referral to a doctor or specialist.
Audiologists also help with related conditions, including tinnitus, which is hearing a sound that is not there, and some balance problems. Children can have their hearing tested from a very young age, and early detection helps with speech and learning.
Hearing changes over time, so regular check-ups make sense, especially if you notice changes, use hearing devices or are exposed to loud noise. Ask the clinic what to expect at your first visit and how they explain results in plain language.
Who is this service for?
People who want their hearing tested, or who need advice, devices or ongoing care for hearing loss or related conditions.
What a typical session looks like
An audiology appointment usually begins with a conversation about your hearing, health history and any difficulties you notice. The audiologist examines your ears and carries out hearing tests in a quiet booth, playing tones and words at different volumes. They explain the results in plain language and talk through what the results mean for daily life.
If you need treatment or devices, the audiologist discusses options, and may refer you to a doctor or ear specialist if there is a medical concern. Follow-up may include fitting and adjusting devices, hearing rehabilitation, tinnitus management and advice on protecting your hearing.
Who delivers this support
Audiologists have university qualifications in audiology and many belong to professional associations that set standards. Audiometrists carry out hearing tests and fit devices, particularly in hearing service programs. Ear, nose and throat specialists deal with medical and surgical issues. Ask about the clinician's qualifications and experience, particularly if you need help with a complex hearing problem or with a child's hearing.
How to choose a provider
- Check that the audiologist is appropriately qualified and a member of a professional body.
- Ask whether the clinic is independent or works with particular brands.
- Find out how the results will be explained to you and to family.
- Ask whether they can test children and people with additional needs.
- Check what follow-up care is offered.
Questions to ask a provider
- What qualifications do you have, and do you have experience with people like me or my child?
- What tests will you do, and what will they tell us?
- Will you explain the results and my options in plain language?
- Can you help with tinnitus or balance problems, or will you refer me elsewhere?
- How will you work with my doctor or an ear specialist if needed?
- How often should I have my hearing checked?
Common mistakes to avoid
- Delaying a hearing test because the change is gradual and you have adapted to it.
- Assuming hearing problems are just part of getting older and cannot be helped.
- Not returning for reviews after starting to use hearing devices.
- Ignoring sudden hearing loss, which needs urgent medical attention.
- Not protecting your hearing in noisy work or leisure settings.
Getting started
- Book a hearing test and let the clinic know about any access needs.
- Bring a list of questions and a family member if you wish.
- Discuss the results and options.
- Arrange follow-up and regular reviews.
How it fits with the rest of your plan
Hearing services are the foundation for other communication supports, including hearing equipment, speech therapy and interpreting. They also link with education and employment, since hearing affects learning and work. Regular hearing checks are important because hearing can change, and finding a change early helps you keep up with the things you want to do.
Eligibility
You can use NDIS funding for Hearing services and audiology 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
Which part of an NDIS plan pays for Hearing services and audiology depends on the specific support and on how your plan is set up. Your planner, Local Area Coordinator or support coordinator can confirm where it fits, and providers can give you a quote to check against your budget. Many NDIS supports have price limits, so ask providers for a quote and check it against the current NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits. 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
Supports such as Hearing services and audiology that are funded by the NDIS are paid at rates that follow the NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits, which the NDIA reviews regularly. Many items have a maximum price, and some prices are higher in remote areas. 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.
Therapy services providers on the NDIS register
10,460 NDIS providers list therapy services supports on the NDIS Commission register of registered providers. A register listing shows what the register says, not who has capacity.
Providers listing therapy services
- 00 Towards your Horizon - SA; includes Glenelg South, SA
- 1 Abbira Care Services - VIC; includes Fraser Rise, VIC
- 1 All Care - SA; includes Findon, SA
- 1 Care Connect - NSW; includes Manly, NSW; Rooty Hill, NSW; Rosehill, NSW
- 1 Disability Support Services - SA; includes Prospect, SA
- 1 Roof Therapy and Assessment - NSW; includes Caringbah, NSW
- 1 Stop Paediatric Services - SA; includes Mount Gambier, SA
- 1-Care - NSW; includes Lalor Park, NSW
- 10 Plus Care - VIC; includes Camberwell, VIC
- 101 Physio - VIC; includes Melton West, VIC
- 121 Therapy Australia - NSW; includes North Haven, NSW
- 122 Health - VIC; includes Warrnambool, VIC
See all 10,460 therapy services providers
Listings by state and territory
- New South Wales (3,918)
- Victoria (2,645)
- Queensland (2,122)
- South Australia (967)
- Western Australia (833)
- Tasmania (251)
- Australian Capital Territory (234)
- Northern Territory (155)
Suburbs with the most listings
- Brisbane, QLD (576)
- Melbourne, VIC (354)
- Sydney, NSW (338)
- Central Coast, NSW (262)
- Parramatta, NSW (198)
- Perth, WA (188)
- Adelaide, SA (186)
- Blacktown, NSW (180)
- Liverpool, NSW (168)
- Campbelltown, NSW (160)
- Ipswich, QLD (154)
- Canberra, ACT (153)
Listings covering the most areas
- Permalink Support Services - 503 areas
- Physihome - 316 areas
- Bayside Mobile Physio - 185 areas
- Aligned Assist - 184 areas
- Allied Horizon Disability Services - 154 areas
- Butter Fish Services - 143 areas
- Blooming Life Support Services - 140 areas
- Number 1 Care Provider - 134 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
- Home enteral nutrition (HEN)
- Individualised Living Options (ILO)
- Interpreting and translation
- Nursing training for support workers
Frequently asked questions
What does an audiologist do?
An audiologist tests hearing, explains the results, recommends and fits hearing devices and gives advice about managing hearing loss and related conditions such as tinnitus.
How often should I have my hearing checked?
It depends on your situation. Your audiologist or doctor can suggest how often to review your hearing, especially if you notice changes.
Do I need a referral for a hearing test?
Often not for a hearing test, though your doctor may recommend one. Ask the clinic what they need when you book.
What is tinnitus?
Tinnitus is hearing a sound, such as ringing or buzzing, when no external sound is present. An audiologist can help you understand and manage it.
Can hearing tests be done for babies?
Yes. There are tests designed for infants and young children, done by audiologists with the right experience.
Is a hearing test painful?
No. Most tests are simple and comfortable, involving listening for sounds or responding to speech.
How do I know if I need a hearing test?
Signs include asking people to repeat themselves, trouble following conversations in noise, turning the television up, or ringing in the ears. Children may not respond to sounds or may have delayed speech. If you are unsure, a test is a simple way to find out.
Does a hearing test hurt?
No. It involves listening for tones and words, and looking in your ears. It is quiet, painless and normally quite quick.
What should I do if my hearing suddenly drops?
Sudden hearing loss can be a medical emergency, so see a doctor or go to an emergency department promptly rather than waiting to see if it passes.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for Hearing services and audiology?
If Hearing services and audiology 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 services and audiology 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.