Does the NDIS cover hearing loss?

Hearing supports in Australia are funded through more than one scheme, and which one applies to you depends largely on your age and situation. The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can fund hearing-related supports for eligible participants, but it is not the only, or always the main, pathway.

Who might the NDIS help?

The NDIS is generally aimed at people under 65 with a permanent and significant disability. For hearing, this can include people with significant, permanent hearing loss and children identified through newborn screening or early testing. Where a person is an eligible participant, the NDIS may fund supports such as certain devices, assistive technology and related services as part of their plan. What is funded is decided individually based on the person's needs and goals.

How does this differ from the Hearing Services Program?

Many Australians access hearing help through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP) rather than the NDIS. The HSP typically supports eligible pensioners, veterans and some other groups, and it commonly covers hearing assessments and a range of hearing aids. In broad terms, older Australians and pension or veteran cardholders are often served through the HSP, while younger people with significant hearing loss may be considered under the NDIS. The two schemes are designed to fit together rather than overlap. Conditions apply under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.

What about children?

Children with hearing loss in Australia are often supported through specific arrangements, including services for young people identified early. Families are usually guided on whether the NDIS or another pathway is the right fit, and support workers can help navigate this. Because the arrangements are detailed, it is worth asking for guidance specific to your child.

What might be funded, and what might not?

Where a person is an eligible NDIS participant, the supports included depend on their individual plan and goals rather than a fixed list. Some supports relate to devices and technology, while others relate to therapy or communication support. Because funding decisions are made case by case, it is important not to assume a particular item will or will not be covered. An audiologist can describe what is generally involved, but only the scheme itself can confirm what your plan includes.

How do you find out what you are eligible for?

Eligibility rules can be complex and change over time, so the most reliable step is to check your own situation rather than assume. You can:

• Contact the NDIS directly to ask about eligibility and access
• Ask about the Hearing Services Program if you are a pensioner or veteran
• Speak with an audiologist, who can explain which pathway commonly applies and what a hearing assessment involves
• Consider private health insurance, which may contribute in some cases

An audiologist cannot guarantee funding, but they can help you understand the options and provide the hearing assessment that many pathways start with.

At Hearing Help in Newport Marketplace on the Redcliffe Peninsula, you can book a hearing assessment without a referral. The audiologist can talk through the general funding pathways, including the NDIS and the Hearing Services Program, and point you towards the right place to confirm your eligibility. Conditions apply under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.