To find out if you may be eligible for ACC cover, we recommend having a diagnostic hearing test with one of our expert audiologists. From there an ACC application can be completed in three easy steps.
The process begins (following an assessment) with an application for ACC cover, rather than it being a ‘hearing aid funding application’.
Step 1:
Your audiologist will use your hearing test results and work history to see if you can apply for ACC cover for injury-related hearing loss. Our team will help you do an easy questionnaire about your work history. If you are likely to be eligible, your audiologist will lodge a claim with ACC on your behalf and complete all the necessary documents.
Step 2:
ACC will review the information provided and then notify you if your claim is approved. You may need to see an ENT as part of the assessment process. If your claim is approved, ACC will also advise the maximum funding amount they may contribute for your hearing aids.
Step 3: Call Bay Audiology to book an appointment with your audiologist to confirm which hearing aids you’d like to choose to suit your needs. Remember to bring your ACC approval letter with you to the appointment. You can choose hearing aids that require no surcharge, or you can choose to pay the difference if you decide on a different solution.
If you are eligible, ACC may contribute towards the costs involved in purchasing, maintaining and repairing your hearing aids. They can also cover the cost of your hearing aid batteries and deliver them to your home. Your hearing aid needs can be reviewed at intervals of at least 6 years and ACC may provide funding towards replacement hearing aids, if you need new ones.
ACC funding is not ‘every 6 years’, our legislation sets out that it is ‘intervals of at least 6 years’ – this distinction is important, as ACC expects that if a hearing aid is still meeting client need at six-years, that the client retain those hearing aids, and replacement only occurs once needed.
The funding available to you from ACC depends on how much of your hearing loss is injury-related, and how much is due to other factors, such as your age or hobbies. ACC uses the hearing test and completed forms to determine how much of your hearing loss is related to an injury and the maximum funding they can contribute towards your hearing aid(s).
[Prices are here - As per the ACC branding guidelines, suppliers must clearly represent costs and contributions from ACC for treatments and services. An accurate representation of ACC funding would be to clarify that ACC funds a fitting fee and also has a separate hearing aid contribution. We also note that for Bands 1-3, DSS (MSD) funding makes up a portion over and above the ACC funding noted above, which creates the total combined maximum funding total (as can be seen in the hearing loss services document linked above)].
If your application for injury-related hearing loss through ACC is unsuccessful, we can still help you find the best hearing solution for your lifestyle and budget.
Most New Zealanders are eligible for the Government Subsidy of $1022.22 towards a pair of hearing aids. This is available to all New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, aged 16 years and above, once every six years. You can also take advantage of our 12-month interest free offer with Q Card.
