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

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 they have since contributed a smaller amount towards hearing devices and services. In July 2014, ACC again reviewed their funding, and here we outline the current ACC hearing loss regulations and how it will help those with hearing loss due to noise or accident.

More choice

A second device consultation – ACC covers 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, for example – the price; you have the flexibility to seek other options.

Follow up over the life of the hearing aids

ACC covers the cost of repairs up to the maximum of $234.09 for each aid within a two year period, once the warranty has expired.

Ear moulds – ACC contributes to the cost of new ear moulds, if they are needed, throughout the hearing aid lifetime.

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.

History of ACC and Hearing support

Before 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 could get hearing aids that met their needs as well as excellent 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 people who work in noise (who had historically not protected their hearing), the cost became too high 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.
  • These changes 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 environments. In 2014, they increased the funding allocation making hearing aids more affordable for clients.