You may be able to get funding for hearing aids through ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation). So how do you apply for ACC hearing aid funding?

You may qualify for ACC hearing aid funding if you:

• have had an accident in New Zealand that caused hearing loss in one or both ears
• have worked in a noisy environment in New Zealand and you believe that it caused your hearing loss.

ACC provides three levels of funding

The level of ACC hearing aid funding for each claimant is decided by assessing each individuals situation and attributing how much of the hearing loss is due to the accident or noise exposure.

ACC hearing aid funding for both ears (Binaural)

• Level 1 – $ 3157.90 (incl GST)
• Level 2 – $3904.40 (incl GST)
• Level 3 – $4953.05 (incl GST)

ACC hearing aid funding for one ear (Monaural)

• Level 1 – $ 1873.35 (incl GST)
• Level 2 – $ 2247.10 (incl GST)
• Level 3 – $ 2770.93 (incl GST)

More information

In 2014 funding was changed and improved for ACC claimants here are some more details about the current ACC funding system.

How to order your ACC funded hearing aids batteries

If you do not feel ACC is the right path for you, please check out the other hearing aid funding options in New Zealand.

Getting started with your ACC application

If you are not sure about whether you could be eligible for an ACC claim or would like more information, please make an appointment for a free hearing check and discuss your options and the way forward.

The post How to apply for ACC Hearing Aid Funding appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

NFD – Hearing Awareness Week 2018 (3 – 9 March)

The National Foundation for the Deaf extended World Hearing Day 2018, into a week of awareness-raising to prevent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). 

What is noise-induced hearing loss?

Noise-induced hearing loss is caused by exposure to excessive sound levels. It commonly occurs due to repeated noise exposure over a long period of time (many years) in the workplace or can arise recreationally from attendance at loud concerts or use of loud power tools at home. A single event such as an explosion can cause noise‐induced hearing loss if the intensity is loud enough. (Refer to our Decibel Diagram, attached).

Sound pressure caused by noise destroys the delicate nerve cells in the inner ear that transmit sound messages to the brain. The nerve cells are replaced by scar tissue which does not respond to sound. The damage is painless but permanent. Hearing aids can be helpful but cannot restore normal hearing.

Noise‐induced hearing loss is preventable.

Excessive exposure to noise is a known cause of one-third of hearing loss in New Zealanders. The
higher the noise level and the longer your exposure, the greater the damage done – but the good news is that you can start preventing any further damage now.
There are three key things you can do to prevent noise‐induced hearing loss:
‐ Wear hearing protection when you are exposed to loud noise
‐ Limit the amount of time you are exposed to loud noise
‐ Turn down the volume on personal music players  ‐  and headphones are preferable to
earbuds, which play the music close to your eardrum.

The National Foundation for the Deaf has downloadable posters and fact sheets FREE for anyone who wishes
to participate in raising awareness of the prevention of noise‐induced hearing loss – at any time!
Go to www.nfd.org.nz  and click on the link on the homepage.

The NFD posters and fact sheets include:  
‐ Noise Destroys campaign poster
‐ The Decibel Diagram
‐ Protect your Hearing
WorkSafe has excellent workplace noise prevention resources on their website: www.worksafe.govt.nz

Sources: nfd.org.nz; WorkSafe.govt.nz; healthyhearing.com; hearingawarenessweek.org.au; restoredhearing.com

For more information

If you know you have hearing loss due to noise at work and feel you are ready to trial hearing aids please see our two information pages about hearing aids funding through ACC:

–  How to apply for ACC Hearing Aid Funding

– ACC hearing aid changes – More funding, More choice

The post Noise Destroys – Noise induced hearing loss appeared first on Auckland Hearing.

ACC covers the cost of accidents in New Zealand

ACC provides “comprehensive, no-fault personal injury cover for all New Zealand residents and visitors to New Zealand. This means you can apply for our help, no matter how you got injured, or whose fault it was” – ACC website – May 2014

ACC has been covering the cost of hearing habilitation for people who have hearing loss due to workplace noise or other accidents since the scheme began in 1974.  Until 2011, ACC covered all costs associated with noise induced hearing loss. The system was changed and have contributed a smaller amount towards hearing devices and services, since then. In July 2014, ACC again reviewed their funding and here we outline the changes to the ACC hearing loss regulations and how it will help those with hearing loss due to noise or accident.

What’s new?

• A second opinion – ACC will fund a consultation with another clinic before trialling your hearing aids
• Increased ACC hearing aid payments
• A new flat fitting fee
• New funding for ear moulds
• Introduction of multiple repairs
• Better access to services for children.

ACC Hearing Loss Changes

More choice

Second device consultation – ACC will cover the cost of a second appointment with another hearing clinic or Audiologist to assess your needs and the best solution for you.  This means that if you are not comfortable with your first recommendation for any reason, ie price you have the flexibility to seek other options.

More funding

More funding also gives you more options as you will have a greater range of hearing aids to choose from.

• Increased payments for hearing aids means there are now hearing aids that can be fitted at no extra cost to the ACC claimant “Free”. Or the top up amount will be a lot lower than with the previous funding criteria and giving the option of more sophisticated hearing aids.
• ACC have set a minimum fitting fee – this means that even if only a small portion of your hearing loss is attributed to noise (or accident) your fitting fee is covered by ACC.

Better follow up

ACC will cover the cost of more repairs up the the maximum of $234.09 for each aid within a 2 year period.

Ear moulds – ACC will contribute to the cost of new ear moulds, if they are needed, over the course of the hearing aid life time (must be more than 1 year after the aids were first fitted.)

History of ACC and Hearing support

Prior to January 2011 ACC covered the full cost of hearing aids and accessories, batteries, repairs, as well as annual hearing assessments and hearing aid adjustments.  This meant that ACC claimants got first class service.  ACC claimants had the ability to use hearing aids that met their needs as well as exceptional follow up and maintenance all covered by ACC.

Unfortunately as the ACC claimants increased in numbers.  Due to better technology and more hearing loss among tradesmen (who had historically not protected their hearing), the cost became too great for ACC to maintain.

In early 2011 the ACC hearing loss policy was changed in a number of ways including:

• • Increasing the level of hearing loss required to meet ACC funding criteria – to 6% hearing loss

• • Reducing the funding towards hearing aids

• • Reducing hearing related services like regular hearing assessment and hearing aids adjustment

• Reducing what ACC would contribute to ongoing repairs and maintenance.

This resulted in a significant saving for ACC. ACC expenditure on hearing devices and services fell from $59 million per annum in 2010 to $16 million per annum in 2013.
It also resulted in many ACC claimants being unable to afford the hearing aids that would best meet their needs.  Some previous hearing aids wearers had to either go without hearing aids or get very basic hearing aids, increasing the effect of their hearing disability and  their ability to function in their normal listening environment.
“The Ministry and ACC are concerned that people are not accessing the services and devices available to help them manage their hearing loss. People who suffer from injury-related hearing loss must be able to access the hearing services and devices they are entitled to in order for them to fully participate in employment, education, their community, and enjoy an improved quality of life. Hearing loss often leads to social isolation and depression.
The Ministry’s and ACC’s main objective is that services must be affordable and easy to access. In this case, more people need to be accessing the hearing loss services and devices they are entitled to so that people suffering from injury-related hearing loss can fully participate in society. Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) – prepared by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (the Ministry).
The new ACC hearing aid changes are worth celebrating as it will allow more people to get the hearing care they need.

What do these changes mean to me?

I am a current ACC claimant and hearing aid wearer

ACC have increased their on going support of hearing aid wearers by:

• Contributing more to repair costs of your ACC hearing aids
• Contributing to the cost of new ear moulds, if required
• Continuing to supply batteries free of charge

You will still need to contribute to the cost of your:

• Annual hearing review and hearing aid adjustment ($85)
• New ear moulds
• Repairs – if they are over the over $234.09 per aid over 2 years.

I am a current ACC hearing aid claimant and I need new hearing aids

A new ACC hearing aid funding claim ACC will be considered after 6 years. The level of cover will be determined by the amount of your hearing loss that is attributed to workplace noise or an accident.  If you are still working in noise you may be required to see and ear nose and throat specialist (ENT / ORL) to determine any further hearing loss due to noise. 

If you are accepted for new ACC hearing aid funding and your hearing aids are finalised after the 1st of July 2014 you will get the new higher funding allocation that includes:

• the new flat fitting fee
• increased funding for hearing devices
• ACC will continue to pay for hearing aid batteries

Under the new ACC system

• Some hearing aids are available at no added cost to you. If you would like higher level hearing aids you will need to contribute to the cost.

The steps to funding for new ACC hearing aids by a current claimant

1. A hearing reassessment by your Audiologist is sent to ACC.
2. ACC will ask you to go for a consultation with an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist (ENT or ORL) who will decide how much of your hearing loss is likely to be due to noise or accident.
3.  You will come to your audiologist for a device consultation, who will give their recommendations for the best hearing devices for you.
4. You may choose to have another assessment and consultation by another Audiologist and get a second opinion.  ACC will cover the cost of this.
5. Once you have decided on right the solution for you, the hearing aids will be ordered and the fitting process can begin.

I have worked in a noisy environments and would like to apply for ACC funding.

Applying for ACC funding:

1. Visit your GP and ask if they could fill in a ACC claim form (ACC45) for hearing loss.
2. ACC will send you some forms about your hearing loss and work history to fill out and return within 14 days.
3. ACC will ask you to go to an Audiologist for a full hearing assessment.
4. ACC may ask you to see an ear, nose and throat specialist who will assess the cause of you hearing loss and the amount of contribution they believe is due to noise or accident.
5. Once your claim has been accepted you will come for a device consultation by your Audiologist, who will give their recommendations for the right hearing devices for you.
6. You may choose to have another assessment and consultation by another Audiologist and get a second opinion.  ACC will cover the cost of this.
7. Once you have decided on the right solution for you the hearing aids will be ordered and the fitting process can begin.
8. More details here

Here is a link to the ACC website with more details.

How Auckland Hearing can work with you

Auckland Hearing is a small independent clinic.  This means that our overheads are low and therefore our pricing is very competitive. If you are looking for great service as well as competitive pricing while getting your new ACC hearing aids you are welcome to come along for a second opinion and pricing comparison.

Follow this link to see more details of our hearing aid fitting process…

Getting Hearing Aids – The Process

Hearing aids are fitted on a 60 day trial Once you have decided to trial hearing aids, the process usually takes about 6 weeks from the time the hearing aids are ordered. The 60 day trial system allows you to be sure you are getting benefits of owning the… READ MORE

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The post ACC hearing aid changes – More funding, More choice appeared first on Auckland Hearing.