Cairns Audiology Group - Hearing - Technology - Communication - Solutions

What causes hearing loss?

Hearing loss can be caused by a number of factors including;

Do I need a referral to have a hearing test?

You do not need a referral to have your hearing tested. However, if you are a pensioner or veteran and wish to take advantage of the Office of Hearing Services subsidised hearing rehabilitation services you will need an approved voucher. This is discussed in more detail on our services page.

Are Audiological Services Covered by Medicare?

In short, no. Generally, audiological services do not carry associated Medicare item numbers and are therefore audiological appointments are not a Medicare refundable service. However, there are some exemptions to this rule. In some circumstances, you may be able to claim for certain advanced diagnostic tests if you have a referral from an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist.

In addition, if you are chronically unwell and your General Practitioner has put you under an Enhanced Primary Care plan (EPC) you may be able to claim for audiological services as part of your 5 annual allied health visits. You will need to discuss this in more detail with your General Practitioner or Consulting Specialist.

In all other circumstances Cairns Audiology Group works under a standard fee for service arrangement.

Are audiological services covered by my Private Health Cover Provider?

Whether audiological services are covered by your Private Health Cover Provider is largely dependent on the type of fund and your individual level of cover. Some Private Health Cover Providers contribute towards the costs associated with hearing assessments and also the costs associated with the purchase of hearing instruments, and some funds only cover the costs associated with the purchase of hearing instruments.

Please check with your Private Health Cover Provider as to what your individual fund will contribute towards audiological services.

What are my options if I have a hearing loss?

Hearing loss is not just a problem that affects the elderly. It can occur at any age, and in most circumstances it is easily addressed by the use of hearing aids. If your hearing loss is affecting your quality of life, no matter what your age, then hearing aids can be a way to take control of the situation, reconnect with communication and start enjoying life again.

Do I need to wear a hearing instrument in both ears?

This is largely dependent on the type and configuration of your hearing loss, so it is important to have your hearing assessed by a qualified Audiologist so an appropriate and informed recommendation can be made. However, research has shown consistently that the use of a hearing instrument in both ears has a positive impact on the wearer's ability to localise sound, their ability to discriminate speech in noisy environments and improves the overall clarity of auditory information.

Will wearing a hearing instrument improve my hearing?

In most cases, sensorineural hearing losses are irreversible. Some types of conductive hearing losses can be addressed through medical intervention by an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist. Therefore it is important to have your hearing assessed by a qualified Audiologist to determine the most appropriate treatment option for you. Wearing a hearing instrument will neither improve your degree of hearing loss or make it any worse. The hearing instrument is designed to rehabilitate for your hearing loss by providing frequency specific amplification where you need it most, to achieve adequate clarity of auditory information. The clearer the auditory information delivered to the ear, the better the brain is able to process the sound to improve your communication ability (if you don't use it, you lose it).

My friend's hearing aid makes annoying background sounds louder, isn't there a hearing instrument that can completely remove background noise?

In short the answer is, no. No matter what you see advertised, there is no device that can completely remove background noise, nor would you want it too. Imagine if you could not hear traffic noise when crossing the road or important environmental sounds like your children laughing. What hearing instruments can do is apply greater emphasis to sounds in important areas, such as the speech range, and less amplification weighting to sounds identified as noise, making those background sounds less prominent, but still audible.

What type of hearing aid is most suitable for me?

With the advent of digital technology there have been significant advances in hearing instrument design, with devices becoming smaller and more discrete and, at the same time, increasing the functional fitting range of the instrument. The social stigma associated with hearing loss has also reduced significantly since these technologies have become more readily available. Following your hearing assessment, your Audiologist will discuss with you the most appropriate options based on your degree of hearing loss and relevant lifestyle factors.

I am a musician, how can I protect my hearing while not missing out on the music I enjoy?

Musician's ear plugs are custom fitted noise excluding earplugs designed to maintain the ear canal's natural frequency response, whilst attenuating sound to a safe level. The attenuators fitted can be 9dB, 15dB or 25dB depending on the level and duration of noise exposure. This means that musicians will still be able to hear the music they enjoy, just at a softer, safer and more comfortable level.