Hearing Aids in Australia: A Simple Buying Guide
Putting off hearing aids is common, often for years. Yet good hearing keeps you in the conversation at the dinner table, on the phone with the grandchildren, and safe near traffic. Modern aids are small, comfortable and far cleverer than the whistling devices many of us remember.
The two questions that hold people back are usually cost and where to start. The encouraging news is that real help with funding exists in Australia, and for a great many older people it brings the cost right down, sometimes to nothing. Here is how to choose, and how to pay far less than you might expect. For devices that call for help in an emergency, our guide to the best medical alarms in Australia is a useful companion read.
Quick answer
Start with a hearing check from a qualified audiologist. If you hold a Pensioner Concession Card or a Department of Veterans’ Affairs card, you most likely qualify for the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program, which can provide fully subsidised hearing aids at no cost, plus fitting, batteries and ongoing servicing. If you want premium features, you can pay a top-up on the difference. People under 65 may get help through the NDIS instead. Choose the style that suits your ears and hands, not the dearest on the shelf, and ask the clinic to spell out every funding option before you buy.
Matching the aid to your needs
| Your situation | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Want them barely visible | In-the-ear or in-canal styles |
| Find small things fiddly to handle | Behind-the-ear, which is larger and easier to manage |
| Hate changing tiny batteries | Rechargeable aids you sit on a charger overnight |
| Want to hear phone calls and the TV clearly | Aids that connect to your phone and television |
Start with a hearing check
Before buying anything, get your hearing tested by a qualified audiologist. The test is painless, takes about an hour, and tells you exactly where your hearing sits. A good clinic then recommends aids to match your loss and your lifestyle, rather than simply selling the dearest model. You can find a qualified professional through Audiology Australia, and clinics such as Hearing Australia, Audika, Connect Hearing, Specsavers and Amplifon have branches around the country. Costco runs hearing centres in its warehouses too, often at keen prices.
The funding that brings the cost down
The Hearing Services Program, in plain English
This is the big one in Australia, and it is the reason so many older people pay little or nothing. The Hearing Services Program is run by the Australian Government and covers hearing assessments, hearing aids and ongoing care through approved providers. Here is what is worth knowing:
- Who qualifies. Most people on a Pensioner Concession Card, and Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holders, are eligible, along with their dependants and some others such as serving Defence members. You generally need to be 21 or over and an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- What you get. A free hearing assessment, then a choice of fully subsidised hearing aids at no cost to you, including fitting, follow-up adjustments, batteries and maintenance through your provider.
- Top-up aids. If you want fancier features than the free range offers, you can choose a partially subsidised aid and pay only the difference, which is often far less than the full retail price.
- One thing to note. A Commonwealth Seniors Health Card on its own does not make you eligible. If you are unsure, your provider can check your status in a couple of minutes.
You can read the eligibility rules at hearingservices.gov.au, or simply ask any approved clinic, such as Hearing Australia, to look into it for you. This is general information rather than formal advice, but it is the part most families do not realise is there.
DVA and the NDIS
If you have served in the armed forces, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs may fully cover your hearing aids and care, sometimes with a wider choice of devices than the standard program. If you are under 65 and hearing loss affects your daily life, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may fund hearing devices and support instead. These run separately from the main program, so it is always worth asking which one fits your circumstances.
A cheaper way to test the water: AirPods and over-the-counter aids
For mild to moderate hearing loss, there is now a low-cost option to try. Apple’s AirPods Pro earbuds include a hearing aid feature that has been approved by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration. It works on the current AirPods Pro 3, on the earlier AirPods Pro 2, and on AirPods 4 with noise cancellation, each paired with a recent iPhone or iPad. At around the price of a single decent dinner out for two, rather than thousands of dollars, they can help in conversations and are a gentle way to see whether amplified hearing suits you. They are not a replacement for proper aids if your loss is significant, and they will not be fitted to your exact hearing like a clinic’s aids are, but for some people they are a sensible first step. A hearing check still comes first, so you know what you are dealing with.
Before you buy, ask these
- Am I eligible for the Hearing Services Program, and will you handle the paperwork?
- What is the total cost after any subsidy, in writing?
- Is there a trial period, and can I return them if they do not suit?
- What is included for follow-up visits, cleaning and adjustments?
- Are these rechargeable, and do they connect to my phone and TV?
Take your time, and do not be rushed into the top model on your first visit. A mid-range aid fitted well by a good clinic often serves better than an expensive one fitted poorly. It is also worth checking whether any Seniors Card discounts apply. If hearing is making the phone hard work, our guide to the best smartphones for seniors covers models that pair well with hearing aids.
Before you finish
Download the free Family Tech Safety Checklist to help check phone safety, passwords, scam messages, emergency contacts and medical alarm details.
FAQ: hearing aids in Australia
How much do hearing aids cost in Australia?
Privately they range from around a thousand dollars to several thousand a pair. But if you qualify for the Hearing Services Program, fully subsidised aids cost you nothing, and top-up models only cost the difference. Always ask for the price after funding.
Can I get free hearing aids as a pensioner?
Most likely, yes. Pensioner Concession Card holders and DVA card holders usually qualify for the Hearing Services Program, which offers a range of fully subsidised hearing aids at no cost, with fitting and servicing included.
Do I need a referral to get my hearing tested?
No. You can book a hearing check directly with an audiology clinic. It is a good idea to mention it to your GP too.
Can I really use AirPods as hearing aids?
For mild to moderate hearing loss, yes. Apple’s AirPods Pro hearing aid feature is approved in Australia, on the current AirPods Pro 3 and the earlier AirPods Pro 2. They are a low-cost way to try amplified hearing, though they do not replace properly fitted aids for significant loss.
Are rechargeable hearing aids worth it?
For many people, yes. You skip fiddling with tiny batteries and simply place them on a charger overnight. Ask whether your chosen model offers it.
