Hearing impairment claims

Telehealth audiology

Some audiology treatments are available over the telephone or online, though hearing assessments must be conducted face-to-face.

If you would like to try a telehealth appointment, talk to your hearing service provider to ensure it is the right option for you.

Replacement hearing aids

Hearing aids can be replaced when they are lost or damaged and not covered by a warranty or other insurance, or if you can no longer use your current hearing aid to communicate effectively. You must complete the request a replacement hearing aid form.

If your hearing has not changed significantly, the hearing service provider can use your last hearing assessment to replace your hearing aids.

Hearing loss

If you are concerned about your hearing, consult your general practitioner to determine the appropriate assessment and treatment. An assessment will ascertain if you have any hearing loss; if it is related to your employment; and whether hearing aids are reasonably necessary.

An ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist should conduct all assessment, diagnosis and treatment of hearing impairment.

Hearing aids

To be eligible to claim for the cost of a hearing aid, your hearing loss must be the result of employment, such as hearing loss from a noisy work environment.

A claim for hearing aids is a claim for medical expenses. In determining whether a hearing aid is a reasonably necessary treatment, an insurer may consider:

• a hearing needs assessment report, including an audiogram, recommending the use of hearing aids
• a quote for the cost of the hearing aids from a SIRA-approved hearing service provider
• a completed workers injury claim form.

Claim for lump sum compensation

If you have been assessed as having hearing loss due to your employment, you may be able to claim lump sum compensation.

This assessment must be conducted by a trained assessor of permanent impairment listed on the SIRA website. The guidelines for the evaluation of permanent impairment explain how the assessment is carried out.

If you are no longer working in a noisy industry, then you must lodge the claim with the employer who last employed you in a noisy workplace. For more information, refer to the workers compensation guidelines.

To make a claim for permanent impairment, you must provide the employer or insurer with:

• the ENT specialist report with the assessed binaural hearing loss and a copy of the audiogram
• a completed permanent impairment claim form.