Thank you for taking the time to find out how we can help your patients with their hearing.
As a GP, you have a pivotal role in helping your patient’s hearing health care. By helping identify the early signs of hearing loss and encouraging patient’s to have their hearing tested, you will help in preventing auditory deprivation and allowing your patients to experience their world clearly again.
Asking a few short questions of anyone concerned about their hearing or as part of a general health check for patients aged over 65 years, only takes a few minutes but can have effects lasting for years.
Ask your patients:
- Do you often say ‘Pardon’?
- Do you often get the feeling that the person you’re talking to is mumbling or speaking unclearly, especially if they are talking and looking away?
- Do you have trouble hearing in a noisy place, like a restaurant or party?
- Do your family or neighbours ever mention to you that the volume on your television set is very loud?
- Do you have trouble hearing on the telephone, especially if there is any noise in the background?
- Do you find you may miss the phone ring or doorbell?
- Is it sometimes hard to know where a sound is coming from, e.g. when you are in traffic?
- Are you more sensitive to loud noises than you used to be?
- Do you have trouble hearing passengers in the car?
- Do you occasionally answer a question and then realize afterwards that you didn’t understand the question correctly?
- Do you need to concentrate closely when someone is speaking softly, like in a doctors/allied health appointment?
“If you answered YES to any of these questions, there’s a chance that you may have a hearing loss.”
PLEASE REFER YOUR PATIENT FOR A FREE HEARING TEST
Simply call 8331 8047 to book a free appointment for your patient. We also offer Telecare appoitments.
Problem of auditory deprivation
Without stimulation, the outer hair cells atrophy and reduce their working ability. Loss of outer hair cell integrity then affects movement of the inner hair cells, which then ultimately leads to the ‘use it or lose it’ phenomenon.
Early detection of hearing loss and the fitting of hearing devices provides the sound stimulation required to keep hair cells active and healthy.
Our patients often come to us with the concern that ‘hearing aids will make their ears lazy and hearing worse’. Well in fact, the truth is actually completely opposite. Hearing aids provide frequency specific sound directly to the affected parts of the cochlea and force the hair cells to work. Essentially it is the exercise they need to stay healthy.
How to refer patients for free services
We provide a full free hearing test for all patients and will forward a copy of their audiogram results and full GP Report to you. Please click on the link to download a copy of the Referral form.
Click Here for a Referral Form
Voucher program for Pensioners & Veterans
All Pensioners and Veterans are entitled to free services under the Australian Government Hearing Program. We can issue the Vouchers under the Office of Hearing Services portal and no longer need a GP signature to do this.
Please simply call us on 8331 8047 to arrange an appointment for your patient or email on info@hearingsense.com.au
What does the Voucher program entitle patients to?
Free hearing devices or option to top up
- Free digital hearing devices in behind-the-ear and in-the-ear options.
- If a patient wishes to purchase an upgraded hearing device, they can use the subsidy from the government to contribute to the cost. Private health fund payments, WorkCover and tax rebate can also help reduce the patient’s cost of an upgraded device. We also offer an interest free payment plan (this is for Private and Voucher clients).
We are very proud to be an accredited Premier Elite Lyric provider – Click here for more information on Lyric. This is a 100% invisible device which is inserted by an Audiologist into the earcanal and remains in situ 24/7 for months at a time. Perfect for a patient who has limited dexterity or needs to hear at night. Also a great solution for the patient that is self-conscious about wearing a hearing aid and would like an invisible option.
DVA Patients get extra entitlements – FREE headsets
Client holding DVA Gold or White – Hearing Specific Cards also can get FREE TV headsets through DVA. These are valued at $600 and are brilliant in allowing clients to watch TV at their preferred TV volume without disturbing family members.
