Workcover and Hearing Aids Australia

Workcover and Hearing Aids In Australia

Depending on the state you live in - you may be able to have part or all of your hearing aids paid for under Workcover.

There are variances in what level of hearing loss constitutes a claim between states in Australia.

NSW

The Hearing Aids Fees Order sets the maximum fees for which an employer is liable under the Act for the provision of hearing aids by a hearing service provider to an injured worker to assist in their work related hearing loss.

The 2012 Order applies to hearing aids provided on or after 1 January 2012, whether it relates to an injury received before, on or after that date.

How much is claimable from an employer refer Workcover NSW for uptodate figures and official notices.

Workers in NSW with noise-induced hearing loss can request hearing aids. Treatment by a hearing service provider is one of the categories of medical and related treatment covered under the Workers Compensation Act 1987. This Order sets the maximum fees for which an employer is liable under the Act for provision of treatment and hearing aids by a hearing service provider to an injured worker who has suffered hearing loss due to a work related injury.

Maximum Fees for Hearing Aids and Services

Hearing Needs Assessment - Audiologist $176.50
Hearing needs assessment - Audiometrist $145.30
Supply of hearing aid (per aid) $2000.00
Fitting of aid/s (monaural) $622.70
Fitting of aid/s (binaural) $1037.80
Hearing aid review/minor maintenance $124.60
Hearing aid repairs $342.50
12 months heaing aid battery/consumables supply per aid $103.80

Queensland

Industrial Deafness Claims

In Queensland you can make a workers compensation claim for Industrial Deafness To make an industrial deafness claim, you must:

provide a workers' compensation medical certificate that diagnoses your industrial deafness
make the claim while you're either:
- considered a worker under the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003
- temporarily unemployed, but would normally be considered a worker, or
have been employed for at least five years in an employment where the noise level was a significant contributing factor to your industrial deafness.

South Australia

Claiming for hearing aids via Work Cover SA is based on completing a claim form and having your claim assessed.

Victoria

The WorkSafe Agent can pay the reasonable costs of approved hearing services and hearing devices provided by WorkSafe approved hearing service providers to assist workers in the rehabilitation of work-related injuries or illness under section 99 of the Accident Compensation Act 1985 (the Act).

This page about Policy For Hearing Services and Devices is very useful as it details what WorkSafe Victoria would pey up to a maximum amount on as at 1-July 2012.

Maximum Fees for Hearing Aids and Services

Hearing Needs Assessment - Audiologist $173.56
Hearing needs assessment - Audiometrist $147.16
Fitting of aid/s (monaural) $619.86
Fitting of aid/s (binaural) $1003.96

Paid only once per worker in any 5 year period unless prior approval obtained from WorkSafe Agent

Hearing aid review/minor maintenance - Audiologist $135.31/hr
Hearing aid review/minor maintenance - Audiometrist $117.671/hr
Hearing aid repairs $368.16

Western Australia

Compensation for noise induced hearing loss

If a subsequent audiometric test shows an increase in overall hearing loss of at least ten percent from the baseline PLH, WorkCover WA will advise both the worker and the employer of the requirement for further testing to determine if there is a compensable loss.
Details at WorkCoverWA Hearing Loss

Audiologists Registered with WorkCover WA

Audiologists must be registered with WorkCover WA to undertake audiometric assessments for the purposes of workers' compensation within Western Australia. Registration is open to both recent graduates of the Masters Clinical Audiology course as well as experienced and established audiologists.
See the Directory of Service Providers for assement in WA.

Work-related Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Australia

A paper produced by the Australian Government published 2006

...
In considering the workers compensation claim information it is noted that the criteria for making industrial deafness claims varies between jurisdictions, and that not all employees are eligible to make compensation claims.

...
The three occupation groups with the highest number of claims in 2001/2 were: labourers and related workers; tradespersons and related workers; and intermediate production (plant or machine operators) and transport workers. These groups accounted for 88% of all claims.

...
Noise induced hearing loss is irreversible, therefore it is important to prevent exposure at the earliest possible opportunities. Focussing on schoolchildren and young people, plus promoting the need to manage hearing in the workplace from employees' induction onwards, and for apprentices could be effective. Awareness programs may also encourage more companies to introduce a noise policy, and a noise control and hearing loss prevention program.

...
Noise exposure is the commonest preventable cause of sensorineural hearing loss (i.e. hearing loss related to the inner ear, and associated neurological structures) and while entirely preventable once acquired is irreversible.

...
In their October 2003 position statement on preventing noise induced occupational hearing loss (Page 1), the American Academy of Audiologists state that estimates suggest that there are 5-30 million Americans occupationally exposed to noise levels greater than 85 dBA and that at present exposure limits one in four of these workers will develop a permanent hearing loss as a result of trying to earn a living.

There are a number of health funds that have extras cover for hearing aids. It is best to call your fund and check the cover available to you. Check Health Insurance Rebates for Hearing Aids in Australia