24 January 2018 

NDIS access requirements for people with hearing impairment People are confused by information on the NDIS website and in social media about the eligibility of people with hearing loss and deafness. Read our plain language explanation.

Changes to Hearing Services Program

The Department of Health is looking at making changes to the Hearing Services Program and the Voucher Scheme to make what is says will be a sustainable, client and outcomes focused approach to delivering hearing support.

We examine the report’s 13 recommendations in detail.

Jab could mean the end for hearing aids Scientists are testing new drugs that could replace hearing devices by stimulating the growth of healthy new ‘hair’ cells deep inside the ear.

Have your say on making public transport more accessible The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport are supposed to remove discriminatory impediments to people with a disability accessing public transport. You can be part of the review.

Horrible plant that is dangerous for ears Let’s get rid of the yucca

We acknowledge  the  traditional custodians of  the  land, community,  sea, and waters where we  live and work.  We pay our  respect  to elders past, present and future and value the contributions Indigenous Australians make in our society.  We acknowledge the challenge for Indigenous leaders and families to overcome the unacceptably high levels of ear health issues among first Australians. 

Could this new jab mean the end of hearing aids? For more than half a century, hearing aids have been the only effective treatment for the many millions of people struggling with deafness. Now, scientists are testing new drugs that could banish hearing aids for good.

Scientists at University College London’s Ear Institute are taking part in an international trial injecting a drug called a gamma-secretase inhibitor into the ears of 24 patients who have had partial deafness for up to ten years and use a hearing aid. They believe the drug will restore hearing by stimulating the growth of healthy new ‘hair’ cells deep inside the ear. In a healthy ear, sound enters the cochlea (a snail-shaped compartment inside the ear) and is picked up by sensory cells that resemble tiny hairs. These hairs convert sounds into an electrical impulse that can travel along the auditory nerve to the brain. These hairs can be damaged or destroyed by ageing, loud noise or infection and, until recently, it was thought it was impossible to regenerate them. But laboratory tests at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston in 2013 found that injecting gamma-secretase inhibitors into a type of cell called a progenitor cell led to the growth of healthy new hair cells. Progenitor cells are a form of stem cell that, unlike most stem cells, cannot develop into almost any form of body tissue. Instead, they are more likely to develop into ‘local’ cells, according to where they are in the body. So progenitor cells in the inner ear are most likely to develop into cells typically found in the ear — such as the tiny hair cells that transmit sound. However, a protein, called a notch protein, stops that from happening. The new drug works by blocking the effects of the notch protein, allowing the progenitor cells to turn into hair cells. Tests to make sure the drug is safe were completed on 24 patients in the UK at the end of 2017. Each volunteer had three, weekly injections into the eardrum, using a local anaesthetic first to numb the eardrum. Trials to measure how effective it is could now begin within the next few months.

Meanwhile, U.S. firm Frequency Therapeutics, is working on a similar treatment that also stimulates progenitor cells to grow into healthy hair cells. It is using a treatment codenamed FX-322, made up of an undisclosed combination of different drugs. In December, at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, the first nine patients were injected with FX-322 to check its safety. None of them suffered significant side-effects and more in-depth studies will be carried out over the next two years.

FX-322 involves a one-off injection into the ear of a slow-release gel, which allows the active medicine to gradually seep into the inner ear over the space of a few days, to increase the time that progenitor cells are exposed to the drug — and potentially improving the chances of success. The landmark treatments could not only reduce the need for hearing aids, but also for cochlear implants. These bypass the damaged inner ear and stimulate the auditory nerve, which carries sound to the brain. Around 14,000 people in the UK currently have a cochlear implant, which cost around £40,000 each.

By Pat Hagan for The Daily Mail, U.K., http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5272967/Could-new-jab-men-end-hearing-aids.html

Have your say: making public transport more accessible The Australian Government will review the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002.

The review will assess whether the standards have been effectively applied to remove, as far as possible, discriminatory impediments to people with a disability accessing public transport. The Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 (Transport Standards) recognise the importance of providing people with easy access to public transport so they can fully participate in the community.

The Standards were last reviewed in 2012. This is the third review of the Standards and is designed to help make public transport safer and more accessible. You can read about the Terms of reference for the review, but anyone interested in making a submission will wish to read a promised Issues Paper, which is supposed to be available in coming weeks at this web address.

See https://infrastructure.gov.au/transport/disabilities/index.aspx

NDIS access requirements for people with hearing impairment Deafness Forum was contacted by people who were confused by information on the NDIS website and in social media about the eligibility of people with hearing loss and deafness to join the National Disability Scheme.

The NDIS website (https://www.ndis.gov.au/operational-guideline/access/list-a.html) has a list of disability conditions (including hearing impairment of 90 decibels and more in the better ear) that make a person eligible for the NDIS without the need to prove the impacts of the disability on their lives – and they won’t have to go through the process again in the future. Section 24 Disability Access does not apply to them. Therefore, people with a permanent hearing impairment of greater than 90 decibels in the better ear (pure tone average of 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz) do not need to demonstrate they have substantially reduced functional capacity to meet the NDIS access eligibility requirements. They meet the disability requirements in section 24 of the NDIS Act without further assessment required.

Public confusion arose in comparing this information with what was stated in the NDIS operational guidelines (section 8.3.3). This says that a person with a permanent hearing impairment of greater than 65 decibels in the better ear (pure tone average of 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz) may have substantially reduced functional capacity. These people will probably be eligible to join the NDIS, but they must provide evidence that the disability results in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake one or more of the following activities - communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care or self-management.

A prospective NDIS participant must meet all the NDIS Act 2013 section 24 Disability Access eligibility criteria or section 25 Early Intervention criteria to become an eligible participant. To meet section 24 Disability Access, a person must demonstrate they have an impairment that results in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake one or more of the following activities: communication, social interaction, learning, mobility, self-care or self-management.

Key points

Children and young adults under 26 years of age who receive services under the Australian Government Hearing Services Community Service Obligations Program, will qualify for the NDIS.

People who are 26 years and older with a permanent hearing impairment of greater than 90 decibels in the better ear (pure tone average of 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz) are eligible to join the NDIS without the need to prove that their disability has substantially reduced their functional capacity.

People who are 26 years and older with a permanent hearing impairment of greater than 65 decibels in the better ear will probably be eligible to join the NDIS, but they must provide evidence that the disability results in substantially reduced functional capacity.

People who are 26 years and older with hearing impairment of less than 65 decibels in the

better ear and who also have another disability may also be eligible.

People who are 26 years and older and who have problems with speaking and listening may also be considered.

Deafness Forum of Australia will continue to advocate for the needs of people with hearing impairment who do not qualify for the NDIS.

Korea among Big 4 in Asia Pacific’s hearing aid market By Lee Hye-seon for Korea Biomedical Review

South Korea’s hearing-impaired population is growing every year.

According to the National Health Insurance Service, the number of people getting medical treatment due to a hearing loss has increased by 5 percent annually in the past five years. Accordingly, the demand for hearing aids is also rising.

Sonova Group releases various products every year through its Korean branch, to compete with local providers of hearing solutions. Sonova also owns a hearing aid manufacturer, Phonak.

This year, Phonak plans to unveil new products in Korea armed with advanced technologies. The company recently launched the Audio B-Direct hearing aid, using a revolutionary chip called “SWORD.” Leonard Marshall, vice president of Sonova Asia Pacific said the company invests 7 percent of the total revenue in research and development. Two-thirds of its global revenue comes from sales of products that were launched in the past two years.

“In assessing marketability, we consider the growth rate of the senior population compared to the size of the total population, the government policies and the size of the reimbursements, economic power, and technological power. We also look at the ratio of the hearing aid users among the hearing-impaired people. For example, in China, the number of hearing aid users is small, despite the large population with hearing loss. But in Australia, the government’s support for the elderly is well established so that people can get a hearing aid for free. The ratio of hearing aid users to the total population is high in Australia. Korea is in between China and Australia,” Leonard Marshall said.

“I heard in Korea, President Moon Jae-in’s government focuses on welfare and plans to expand the support for the population aged more than 65. (The policy is called “Mooncare”). I don’t know whether the government will carry out the policy, but I hope for change,” Marshall said.

http://www.koreabiomed.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2374

Mipla Binna – Our Ears website is a resource to help families learn about permanenthearing loss. Mipla Binna has information to help families plan early intervention options for their child.

Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service

https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/miplabinnaThe new Mipla Binna web page can be found on the Children’s Health Queensland website

Mipla Binna guides families through the hearing loss journey from the first stages – audiology and other medical appointments – to the options for hearing aids and early intervention services.

Learn more about the different therapy options available to children with hearing loss and when they might be suitable.

Families can watch interviews from parents and family members speaking about their experience with hearing loss.

Listen to health professionals speaking about various medical appointments and what to expect when planning for a child’s healthcare journey.

Mipla Binna also provides health workers, health professionals and community sector professionals working with families in their local community access to information on:

• Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families

• Community partners

Early intervention services

Your family journey

Hearing aids andcochlear implants

Medical appointmentsPlanning youraudiology appointment

https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/miplabinnaThe new Mipla Binna web page can be found on the Children’s Health Queensland website

Popular pot plant causes string of serious ear injuries This is a warning about a dangerous pot plant that has been implicated in a string of traumatic ear injuries in Australia. Yes, you read that correctly. The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is urging people to be careful around yucca plants. Common in gardens and inside homes around the nation, the popular species with sword-shaped leaves has been involved in at least 28 cases of ear trauma since August 2012. Professor Stephen O’Leary, said while it might sound strange that a plant could pose such danger to people, it was no laughing matter. “You wouldn’t think that a little pointy leaf that goes into your ear could possibly cause serious injury [but] it’s more like a fencing sword. It’s narrow enough to get right down through the ear drum.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgZaCqbR1ek

Most cases seen by the Eye and Ear Hospital over five years involved a perforated eardrum, and in four of the most severe cases the yucca penetrated the inner ear, causing fluid to leak out. In all of these four cases the patients suffered permanent hearing loss. Landscape architect Andrew Laidlaw said “The worst offender is the yucca elephantipes that [are] sold as the indoor plant. This is the plant that would cause most of the injuries.” It was critical for the public to know that if they were dizzy after being stabbed by a yucca leaf the injury needed to be treated as a medical emergency, and that GPs and emergency physicians should also be aware of the risk. The yucca plant is a nice plant and we don’t want to say it’s not, but you might want to think about giving it a haircut – and just think about where those spiky little fronds are pointing. By Aishia Dow and Rachael Dexter for the Sydney Morning Herald.

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Auslan interpreting funding in QLD The Queensland Government will fund a program to build a qualified workforce of Australian Sign Language interpreters in the state.

Called the Auslan Interpreter Funding Strategy, it is the outcome of representations by Deaf Services in Queensland and supports an Auslan accredited training pathway. Students can study Auslan training courses and access funding that will significantly reduce the cost of completing the training pathway. The funding is for eligible students in Semester 1, 2018 and will be available to students wanting to study courses in Semester 2, 2018. www.accesstraining.edu.au

Deaf Services in Queensland Education Manager, Michelle Stark says “This is wonderful news and will greatly enhance the opportunities for people to complete the full pathway and ultimately increase access and participation for deaf people, by ensuring that we have a more skilled workforce and a larger community of language users.”

Report on Australian Government services The annual Report on Government Services provides information on the equity, effectiveness and efficiency of government services aimed at improving the wellbeing of Australians. The report by the Productivity Commission is published in multiple parts, and released over the next 2 weeks.

Available now Approach to performance reporting (including statistical context material). Community Services (includes aged care, disability, child protection and youth justice). Housing and homelessness.

Thursday, 25 January 2018 - Justice, Emergency Management.

Tuesday, 30 January 2018 - Health.

Thursday, 1 February 2018 - Child care, education and training.

Go to www.pc.gov.au/rogs/2018

Deafness and mental health Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) is conducting a project looking at Deafness and Mental Health of infants, children, young people and their families and carers.

CYMHS aims to identify: A survey has been developed to look at: Programs and pathways currently available to support local deaf children, and their families How to increase the ability of services to recognise mental health difficulties and the

support needed for them Ways of working together to support the mental health needs of deaf children

The survey is suitable for anyone that may have worked or is working with Deaf/HOH children. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GHTFS5K

Contact judyrax48@gmail.com or debhaigh13@gmail.com

Captions and Auslan at Perth Festival These performances will have closed captions Barber Shop Chronicles, Wednesday 14 February, 8pm at Octagon Theatre, UWA Farewell to Paper, Saturday 17 February, 7.30pm at State Theatre Centre of WA The Far Side of the Moon, Saturday 24 February, 7.30pm at State Theatre Centre of WA You Know We Belong Together, Saturday 3 March, 7.30pm at State Theatre Centre of WA

These performances will have are Auslan interpreters Helen Garner & Kim Scott, 23 February, 7pm at the Octagon Theatre, UWA Tim Winton, 24 February, 7pm at the Octagon Theatre, UWA William Yang, 25 February, 7pm at the Octagon Theatre, UWA You Know We Belong Together, 1 & 3 March, 7.30pm at State Theatre Centre of WA Art Adventure, 17 February at various locations Museum of Water, 3 March, 1pm at Fremantle Arts Centre

Inquiries to access@perthfestival.com.au

Changes to Australian Government Hearing Services Program and Voucher scheme

The Commonwealth Department of Health has published a report on its investigation into the future of the Hearing Services Program, and with a focus on the services and technology supplied to people under the Voucher Scheme. The Department of Health outsourced the investigation to a commercial company, PwC. During 2016 and 2017, PwC interviewed organisations that have an interest in the Hearing Services Program, such as audiology companies, hearing device manufacturers, professional bodies representing audiology practitioners, and consumer groups including Deafness Forum of Australia. The findings of the review showed that improvements to the Voucher Scheme can be achieved through changing and improving the current arrangements instead of creating an entirely different model. The risks and costs associated with a new model were assessed to be high, and could not be justified when measured against the benefits achieved with the existing arrangements. In this article, Deafness Forum will summarise the report’s recommendations.

About the Hearing Services Program

The Australian Government Hearing Services Program aims to reduce the impact of hearing loss. The Voucher part of the Program is a safety net to ensure that people most in need and the vulnerable members of the Australian community have access to hearing services and assistive hearing technology. The Voucher scheme provides eligible people with access to hearing services that can include: A comprehensive hearing assessment performed by a qualified hearing services

provider Access to a wide range of fully subsidised hearing devices Advice on how to achieve maximum benefit from your device Further support and hearing services, even if fitting a hearing device is not suitable Optional annual maintenance agreement where, for a small fee, you can receive repairs

and batteries to support your hearing device.

People are eligible if they are an Australian citizen or permanent resident 21 years or older and a: Pensioner Concession Card holder and their dependant Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card holder, or a White Card holder issued for specific

conditions that include hearing loss and their dependant Centrelink client receiving Sickness Allowance and their dependant Member of the Australian Defence Force Referral by the Disability Employment Services (Disability Management Services) Program NDIS participant with hearing needs

The review resulted in a report to the Commonwealth Department of Health. The report made 13 recommendations. These changes aim to deliver a Hearing Services Program that is sustainable, client and outcomes focused, and holistic in the delivery of hearing support. If they are adopted by the Department of Health they are expected to result in a service delivery model that is able to better support client outcomes, improve business processes, reduce administrative burden, deliver value for money, and support a consistent government approach to the provision of hearing services and technology.

Changes that would affect the Voucher Scheme as a whole

1. Accelerate the transition to an outcomes focused model

The Department of Health should accelerate the transition to an outcomes focused model by: Amending the policy objective of the Hearing Services Program to focus on the

achievement of optimal clinical outcomes for clients Work with industry to

o Define optimal clinical outcomes for clients o Set a standardised approach to measuring outcomes and o Determine principles to facilitate comparison of outcomes across client cohorts

and contracted service providers

This recommendation means that the Program has become very focused on hearing devices. A high proportion of clients are fitted with a device even if they are not ready and motivated to use it. Deafness Forum and other organisations such as Better Hearing Australia have been saying that even if a hearing device is provided to a person, they need to be given the support and skills to learn to live with them effectively – we call this rehabilitation. The report is recommending a shift to being more outcomes focused. The report recommends changing the stated aims of the Program so that it is clear that it is the outcome that is important rather than the device and to agree on a consistent approach to measuring client outcomes and also a way to compare outcomes across different client groups and providers. While most providers have a system to measure client outcomes they should be required to do it in a standardised way.

2. Review the Minimum Hearing Loss Threshold

The Minimum Hearing Loss Threshold (MHLT) should be formally reviewed with the intention to investigate:

aligning the MHLT with international practice definitions of disabling hearing loss mandating the measurement and reporting of hearing loss via international and

industry practice (4 Frequency Average Hearing Loss), and applying the outcomes of the review to prospective clients

Currently, the Program does not allow audiology clinics to fit a client with a device if the client’s hearing loss (measured across 3 frequencies) is less than 23dB. There are a couple of exceptions to this rule. The report is saying that the Hearing Services Program should be the

same as international best practice arrangements in its measurement and reporting of hearing loss. This change to reporting an average hearing loss across 4 frequencies in place of 3 frequencies should have no impact on clients.

3. Improve the information about hearing services and assistive hearing technology, and dissemination of this information to clients in the Voucher Scheme

To address consumer hearing literacy concerns and enable clients to be more active in achieving optimal clinical outcomes, the Voucher Scheme should provide client-friendly information that facilitates the objective comparison of assistive hearing technology and services available through the Voucher Scheme. Providing client-friendly information would empower clients by giving them access to information that contributes to better decisions.

This recommendation is that people be given more client-friendly information – for example, by using simpler language and in formats, channels and at times that best suit them - so they are in a better position to participate in the decisions about their hearing rehabilitation program.

4. Investigate the scope and cost of providing a range of additional services through the Voucher Scheme

It is recommended that the Department of Health investigates the scope and cost of providing a range of additional services and benefits that could positively contribute to achieving optimal clinical outcomes for clients. This includes:

interpreting and translating services for clients from non-English speaking backgrounds teleaudiology services for rural, remote locations, or where clients would benefit from

access through a digital medium, and the application of a ‘home-visit’ loading to cover travel costs

The report recommends that the Program should in the future pay for interpreter services for people from non English speaking backgrounds.

It recommends that audiologists should receive an extra fee (loading) when they make home visits. This could make offering home visits more attractive for businesses to offer, and this could result in more services of this type being available.

It recommends that teleaudiology be treated as acceptable way to deliver hearing services and paying providers for delivering services through teleaudiology. Teleaudiology is where hearing services are delivered to clients, particularly those in remote areas, using telecommunications technologies. The audiologist and the client are in different locations and use technology to overcome the issue of distance. It is possible to provide hearing assessments, program hearing devices and provide counselling and support using teleaudiology.

5. Change the name of the Voucher Scheme

Changing the name of the Voucher Scheme would help support the shift towards an outcomes focused model (see recommendation 1). It would allow the scheme to move away from the notion that it is the voucher itself that provides the benefit, instead of the appropriate and timely delivery of hearing services and provision of assistive hearing technology to motivated clients who are willing to address their hearing loss. From a behavioural standpoint, changing the name of the Scheme would minimise the current perception that all benefits of a voucher are to be used, regardless of the impact they have on achieving optimal client outcomes.

There is a perception that because the Voucher covers the provision of a hearing assessment and rehabilitation program including a device fitting, then a Voucher represents an "entitlement" for the client to be provided with all of the services and technology whether it is needed or not. The proposal is to change that perception to one where the client can expect to access a range of professional services, advice and technology where indicated, to assist them with their specific individual hearing needs.

Changes that would affect service items and fees

The following recommendations propose the introduction of a simple standard suite of hearing service items with an associated benefit (the recommended prices). These recommended prices reflect publicly available information on the types and prices charged for services offered by the hearing sector, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and similar services of related allied health sectors. These recommendations don’t affect clients directly but hopefully if providers can claim more easily for services they provide and receive a more appropriate level of reimbursement it will lead to improved service quality. 6. A simplified and unbundled model for the schedule of service items

It is recommended that a simplified and unbundled schedule of service items be adopted to simplify the clinical pathway, reduce administrative burden, mitigate the prevalence of wasted expenditure, and highlight the role that hearing services play in helping achieve optimal client outcomes. This is achieved by ensuring that services are received by those clients who most need them, streamlining the claiming rules, and providing a means to delay the provision of assistive hearing technology where it is clinically appropriate. There are lots of items that audiology providers can claim as costs that can be reimbursed by the Voucher Scheme, but there are also lots of rules around the claiming arrangements. This recommendation is that a simple claiming process be designed. This should help clients to access the clinical services they need when they need them and not be excluded from gaining services that the provider is unable to claim for due to the rules around the claiming arrangements. An example: for a provider to claim for an appointment known as a client

review it must be more than 12 months since the date the client was originally fitted with their device and more than 12 months from the last client review. This rule means that some clients cannot get the support services they need when they need them; or the audiology clinic has to deliver than without being paid.

7. Adopt a new pricing structure for the simplified and unbundled model of

service items

The fees recommended for each hearing service in the simplified and unbundled model of service items (see recommendation 6) have been determined through a comprehensive scan of the Australian hearing services market (including the public and private sectors). The aim is to determine an efficient level of pricing which reflects the value of the service provided and attempts to remove or mitigate the current need of Contracted Service Providers to cross-subsidise a loss in the provision of services with the prescription of assistive hearing technology and associated bundled services. The finding that some hearing services in the Voucher Scheme were priced at below market value has informed the increases in the new pricing structure.

This recommendation is about introducing a simplified fee schedule and a change to the fees paid to providers as the fees were found to be below market value. As a result we can expect the cost of services billed to the Voucher Scheme will increase. We don’t know what will happen with the cost of hearing devices, but you can bet they won’t get cheaper.

Changes that would affect assistive hearing technology supply arrangements

These following recommendations are supposed to help ease the way for business to move to a model for the Voucher Scheme that is focussed on achieving optimal client outcomes. The recommendations are about costs and processes.

8. Remove the subsidy applicable to partially subsidised assistive hearing technology

The Voucher Scheme is a safety net to ensure that those most in need and the vulnerable of the Australian community have access to hearing services and assistive hearing technology. The report argues that it is not the role of the Voucher Scheme to subsidise specific client choice, if such clients seek access to features or technology which is greater than the government has determined is sufficient to deliver an optimal clinical outcome. While clients should be free to exercise this choice – and pay the full cost out of their own pocket - this should not be funded at tax payer’s expense.

Currently when a client elects to purchase a top up device the Program still contributes towards the cost of the device and the client pays the difference. This recommendation will remove the subsidy that the Government contributes to the cost of top up devices. While

consumers have every right to be concerned about this erosion of choice, removing the subsidy for partially subsidised assistive hearing technology might help address consumer concerns about the upselling of assistive hearing technology to vulnerable clients.

9. Review the minimum specifications for assistive hearing technology

The Department of Health should engage in a review of the minimum specifications applicable to fully and partially subsidised assistive hearing technology available through the Voucher Scheme. In doing so, the Department will be responding to observable industry and client trends that have indicated an increasing propensity to consume partially subsidised assistive hearing technology. There are minimum technical specifications that apply to the list of devices that can be fitted under the Voucher Scheme. The specifications have not been reviewed for some time. This might be causing more clients to feel that the fully subsidised range is out of date and not good enough for their individual needs, and this could be why some clients feel they need to pay for a top device, which they won’t be allowed to do if recommendation 8 is put into action. The report is recommending a review of the minimum specifications to ensure the level of technology is still appropriate for… what? A work in progress.

10. Investigate the viability of including cost recovery levies

To identify ways to improve the effectiveness of the assistive schedules, introduce price signals, and fund greater device information being provided to clients, it is recommended that the viability of implementing cost recovery levies be investigated by the Department. This recommendation is expected to help keep the device schedules* up to date. This recommendation is aimed at device manufacturers. The report is recommending that device manufacturers be charged

a one-off levy to list a device on either the fully or partially subsidised schedules, and

an annual maintenance fee to retain a device on the fully or partially subsidised schedule

*The Voucher scheme has an approved list of devices. This is the schedule that is referred to in these recommendations.

11. Implement additional assistive hearing technology listing rules

Implementing additional listing rules would improve the effectiveness of the schedules by setting age, usage, service requirements, and other disclosure requirements for assistive hearing technology to remain listed. This will incentivise device manufacturers to keep the schedules up-to-date, while also improving the value that clients and other parties draw from sourcing assistive hearing technology information from the schedules.

This recommendation is aimed at device manufacturers. The report recommends some rules on removing older technology from the device schedules in order to ensure that clients are receiving up to date devices.

12. Mandate the disclosure of the price and features of assistive hearing technology

Improving the ability of clients to make informed decisions is vital to achieving optimal client outcomes. Requiring the disclosure of price and features above the minimum specifications will improve the transparency of information around how prices vary across sets of features and brands. Disclosure of this information will also cultivate competition by ensuring that clients and Contracted Service Providers are better able to compare assistive hearing technology through categories that align with those available in the updated minimum specifications.

This recommendation is aiming to improve transparency around the cost of device features so that clients and providers will be better able to compare brands and it will be easier for clients to compare quotes between different providers.

13. Rename the assistive hearing technology schedules

Renaming the assistive hearing technology schedules would move away from the current focus on the subsidy status of assistive hearing technology as the predominant characteristic of emphasis. The report is recommending a change to remove the focus on the subsidy. This is consistent with the thinking behind recommendations 1 and 5.

The report prepared for the Department of Health can be downloaded at http://www.hearingservices.gov.au/wps/portal/hso/site/about/whoarewe/publications/pwc_report_lp/!ut/p/a1/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOK9A03NDD0NjLwtwvzdDBwd_UJ9vNxMjAz8DYAKIvEoMDAlTr8BDuBoQEi_FxEWGBX5Ovum60cVJJZk6GbmpeXrR5Rn5CcWpZan6kcUlCblZCaD_VsM5JUnxxelFuQXlcTnFOiH60fhNR7kPbACPO4vyA2NqPJxsvRMV1QEABliu5E!/dl5/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

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Accessible format: send us an email request if you would like this newsletter in MS Word for screen readers or to transcribe into braille. Items in Deafness Forum communications incorporate or summarise views, standards or recommendations of third parties or comprise material contributed by third parties or sourced from items published in the public domain. Content may be edited for style and length. Our intention is to attain balance and be representative of all views within the sector we represent, however this may not be attainable in particular editions. Third party material is assembled in good faith, but does not necessarily reflect the considered views of Deafness Forum, or indicate commitment to a particular course of action. We make no representation or warranty about the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any third party information.