Hearing service information for providers

Last updated:

9 June 2023

Hearing loss and tinnitus are two of the most common conditions experienced by veterans. Learn about the hearing services available to our clients.

Available hearing services and programs

Services

Our clients can receive at no cost:

Appointments and tests to determine if their hearing loss is service related
Hearing devices and support through the Hearing Services Program (HSP)
Assistive listening devices (ALDs) through Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)
Tinnitus treatment
Cochlear support

Programs

Eligible clients can receive assistance, advice and high-quality devices through the following programs:

Hearing Services Program (HSP), including the Community Service Obligations (CSO) component that the Department of Health administers
Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)
Tinnitus Program

Hearing resources for your clinic

For more information to help you and your client understand what they can access:

Hearing Services Brochure (PDF 640 KB)
The veteran’s guide to better hearing – with checklists to help clients prepare for an appointment.

Order resources for your clinic

Hearing information video for Veterans
- Read transcript
Hearing information video for Hearing Providers
- Read transcript
Hearing services webinar

Who is eligible

Our hearing services are available to members of the veteran community who hold either:

a Veteran Gold Card
a Veteran White Card and you are treating them for a service-related injury or condition.

How to prescribe hearing devices for clients

Most clients’ hearing needs can be met through the HSP. You will need to explore all the suitable fully subsidised devices through HSP. Consider a combination of ALDs and hearing aids. A range of ALDs and tinnitus devices are available through the RAP Schedule by filling in DVA form D9376 – Request for assistive listening devices and/or tinnitus devices

If the client’s tinnitus can’t be managed through HSP and RAP devices they may be eligible for the Tinnitus Program

Funding for hearing aids

We will only fund hearing aids outside of the HSP when you demonstrate that a client’s needs cannot be met by:

the HSP hearing aids
a combination of the HSP hearing aids and ALDs provided by RAP

You will need to seek approval by sending a request to health.approval [at] dva.gov.au (health[dot]approval[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au) with the following information:

a completed DVA form D9398 – Audiology prior financial approval request
audiology and clinical hearing reports
details of the hearing aids being recommended
explanation of why the person’s needs cannot be met by HSP hearing aids and/or ALDs provided through the RAP
other clinical reports or information relevant to the request

We do not reimburse clients for hearing devices purchased without prior approval.

For more information on prior approval see When we must approve care

Hearing Services Program (HSP)

The HSP is administered by the Department of Health and offers:

high quality fully subsidised devices
support services to eligible clients

Support services include:

Rehabilitation Plus – Additional support recommended for first time users of hearing aids. This support can be provided in group sessions or as individual appointments.
Community Service Obligation – For clients who cannot have their hearing needs met through the RAP and require specialised hearing services and support.

Eligibility

The Hearing Services Program has different eligibility criteria to our own. To find out more go to the Health website.

Cochlear Support

Cochlear implants and treatment are provided to our clients through the HSP and Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS).

We will provide funding for our client's:

ongoing maintenance payments
accessories and other services to complement a cochlear implant where necessary

Contact HSP

General Enquiries: 1800 500 726

National Relay Number (NRS): 1800 555 660

Email: hearing [at] health.gov.au (hearing[at]health[dot]gov[dot]au)

Assistive listening devices (ALDs)

Clients with a clinical need can access ALDs through our Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP)

ALDs available to our clients include:

induction loops
headsets for watching the television
microphone/FM listening systems
doorbells and smoke alarms with lights
telephone accessories
streamers that transmit sound from a mobile phone, tablet or television to a hearing aid.

Only an appropriate assessing health provider can prescribe RAP items.

You can prescribe these items using DVA form D9376 – Request for assistive listening devices and/or tinnitus devices

Combining ALDs and hearing aids

You should consider if a combination of ALDs and hearing aids will address the hearing needs of our clients. To find out about the ALDs available see our RAP National Schedule of Equipment

The Tinnitus Program

Mild tinnitus and hearing loss can usually be managed with fully subsidised hearing devices provided under the HSP.

Your client may be eligible for treatment under the Tinnitus Program if they:

have severe tinnitus
are not eligible for the HSP

The Tinnitus Program can arrange for:

a clinical assessment of tinnitus
scientifically validated treatment provided by an audiologist
specialised counselling such as tinnitus retraining therapy
hearing aids with tinnitus settings
devices to assist with sleep

Prior approval

Only an Audiologist or Ears, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT) can refer someone to the Tinnitus Program. They will need to seek prior approval from us before treatment can start.

You can seek prior approval by completing DVA form D9398 – Audiology prior financial approval request and attach any:

audiology and/or ENT reports
evaluation of tinnitus severity
proposed rehabilitation plan
associated expenses

Send your request and documents to health.approval [at] dva.gov.au (health[dot]approval[at]dva[dot]gov[dot]au)