- Medical referrals are not required to access audiology services.
- Only some audiology service components are eligible for Medicare rebates and Private health insurance claims. Medicare rebates can only be claimed under a valid medical referral.
- From March 1, 2023, Medicare will offer rebates for hearing tests upon referral from a general medical practitioner (GP). A medical referral deemed necessary from a GP, ENT surgeon or neurologist needs to state the type of service required and the reason for the request. Any applicable rebate amount is determined by Medicare and your Medicare Safety Net.
- Clients with a Chronic Management Plan for audiology services issued by a GP addressed to Holistic Audiology are entitled to a Medicare rebate of $56.00 per appointment (capped at the specified number of allowed appointments on their plan).
- Medicare rebates (with valid medical referral) apply only to services rendered by registered audiologists.
- Please note: A valid referral MUST be presented prior to or at the time of the appointment to claim any Medicare rebates that may apply. Backdated referrals are illegal and carry serious penalties to all practitioners involved under the provisions of the Commonwealth Health Insurance Act, and will not be accepted post appointment. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
- A variety of services are available. Please contact the clinic for service costs and inclusions.
- Depending on the presenting symptoms and issues, non-standard consultations are tailored to address your individual concerns.
- Eligible pensioners and DVA clients are entitled to access government-funded services under the Hearing Services Program. Please contact the clinic to check your eligibility.
- It’s fairly common practice for hearing aid clinics to offer free hearing tests to determine if you are a hearing aid candidate. Free tests are generally screenings in nature.
- Free hearing tests are not comparable to comprehensive audiological assessments.
- Holistic Audiology assessments focus on medical and functional aspects of hearing (detection of sounds) and listening (processing of sounds), offering advice on prevention, maintenance, management and remediation for optimal ear and hearing health.
- Assessments can be conducted any time of the day. For optimal results, it is advisable to schedule your appointment when you are well-rested and alert. This is particularly important with children. Paediatric appointments are best after your child has a sleep or nap, and ideally not at the end of a tiring school day or kinder session.
- If you work in noisy industries, please ensure that you are not exposed to loud sounds for 16 hours prior to your appointment. Exposure to loud noises can temporarily reduce the acuity of your hearing and skew the results.
- Audiologists are tertiary qualified professionals having undertaken post-graduate studies, with a minimum of 5 years of study, followed by a 1-year clinical internship. Audiometrists obtain TAFE certification in one year.
- Audiologists have a much wider scope of medical practice and are trained to assess and address other ear-related issues, besides hearing aid dispensing. Audiometrists are trained to conduct standard hearing tests (audiometry) and dispense hearing aids.
- Audiologists are accredited to work independently within the private and public sectors. Audiometrists providing public services, e.g. under the government-funded Hearing Services Program work under the supervision of Audiologists; however, can work independently in the private sector.
- Audiologists and audiometrists have the same scope of practice in hearing aid clinics; whereas, Audiology clinics can offer holistic medical hearing care beyond hearing aids.
Hearing aids purchased through Holistic Audiology are offered a complimentary 14-day insurance against loss, accidental damage and theft. You are welcome to extend your insurance cover directly with the insurance underwriter.
Like all purchases, goods need to be paid for in order to take them with you. We also have to pay the manufacturer for the hearing devices ordered for you. Refusal to pay and refusal to hand-over the fitted devices is unfortunately not acceptable. As per the terms and conditions of purchase, full payment is required at the time of fitting. Thank you for your co-operation.
You are welcome to request a hearing aid trial for peace of mind. Hearing aid trial can be arranged at a cost of $250, which includes a customised fitting and follow-up appointment.
We do our upmost to accommodate urgent requests, including travelling back to the clinic to accommodate your needs. We do not charge an emergency surcharge, which many health practices do; however, no shows and last-minute cancellation will incur the full service fee without exception. Thank you for your understanding.
When appointments are missed or cancelled at short notice, the time slot is unable to be offered to other patients who may need care. To avoid any fees, please reschedule or cancel your appointment at least 24 hours in advance (via email, phone, sms, booking portal). As per your booking confirmation, non-attendance incurs the full consultation fee, and late-cancellation is 50% of the full consultation fee. Please note that these fees vary depending on the appointment type and duration. Thank you for your co-operation and understanding.
Eligible pensioners and veterans can access funded hearing services under the Hearing Services Program, e.g. hearing assessment and subsidised hearing aids. Please note there are annual limits to services, and not all services are included in the program. Please contact the clinic to check your eligibility for services. For further information on the HSP program and service inclusion, please go to the government website.
We recommend that you refer to the government health website for further information.
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