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Hearing Health in Australia

Shukri Abi • Dec 22, 2022

Ear and hearing health is important to your overall health and well being. Untreated hearing loss and ear disease can have a big impact on the lives of children and adults alike. 


In Australia:


  • Approximately 3.6 million people have some level of hearing loss
  • Over 1.3 million people live with a hearing condition that could have been prevented
  • More than 1 in 3 Australians have noise-related ear damage
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children have a much higher rate of ear disease than other children, which can result in hearing loss


As Australia’s population ages, we expect the number of people with a hearing impairment to double to an estimated 7.8 million people in 2060.


Impacts of Hearing Loss


There are a variety of factors that might affect one's hearing health, and it's important to be aware of them. In Australia, the following are the most significant causes of hearing loss:


There are many things that can cause or contribute to poor ear and hearing health, including:


  • Infections: Otitis media (middle ear infection) is the most common childhood infection. It is usually caused by a virus, but can also be caused by bacteria. Otitis media often goes away on its own, but can sometimes lead to hearing loss
  • Otitis externa (outer ear infection) is usually caused by bacteria. It can be painful and cause the ear to itch, but usually goes away on its own
  • Meningitis is a serious infection of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord. It can cause hearing loss, especially if it is not treated early
  • HIV/AIDS can damage the inner ear and cause hearing loss
  • Cancer: Tumours of the ear canal, middle ear or brain can cause hearing loss
  • Age-related hearing loss: As people get older, they may start to lose their hearing. This is called presbycusis
  • Noise exposure: Loud noise can damage the hair cells in the inner ear and cause hearing loss. This can happen from loud music, working in a loud environment or being exposed to loud noises (such as explosions) without proper hearing protection
  • Genetic conditions: There are many genetic conditions that can cause hearing loss, such as Usher syndrome, Stickler syndrome and Waardenburg syndrome


Why Should Hearing Health Be Prioritised?


Hearing loss is a significant public health issue that can have profound consequences for those affected. It is the third most common chronic condition in Australia, after arthritis and heart disease.


Despite its prevalence, hearing loss is often undiagnosed and untreated. This can lead to social isolation, depression and other mental health issues, as well as cognitive decline.


Hearing loss can also have a significant impact on employment and education opportunities. It has been estimated that the economic cost of hearing loss in Australia is $10.9 billion per year.


There are many things that can be done to prevent or treat hearing loss, but it is important to seek help early. If you think you or someone you know may have a hearing problem, make an appointment with your GP or an audiologist. They can conduct a hearing test and advise on the best course of treatment.


What Government Support is Available for People Living with Hearing Loss?


Hearing health is a mainstream health issue that touches the lives of many Australians. 

However, as a public health issue, it is not ranked as a national health priority. This means that there is not enough funding or attention given to hearing health by the government, which can have a significant impact on those living with hearing loss.


The average age of people accessing hearing services under the Commonwealth Government is approximately 75 years. This is in line with the average age of people who are experiencing hearing loss in Australia,


The Federal Program for Hearing Health


In response to the high incidence of hearing loss among World War Two veterans, the then Federal Labor Administration established the Australian Hearing Services Program in 1947.


In 1996, the government announced the introduction of a subsidy allowance for hearing services. This gave people greater access to services from the private sector by allowing them to provide hearing health services. This change allowed people to have the flexibility to choose the hearing health care provider that best suited their needs, giving them more control over their hearing health.


The Commonwealth Hearing Services Program provides hearing assessment along with hearing aid provision and maintenance to eligible Australians. The program is available to people of all ages, but is particularly focused on those aged 65 and over. The program provides a range of services, including:


  • Subsidised hearing assessments
  • Hearing aid provision and fitting by qualified Audiologists
  • Ongoing support and maintenance and repairs for hearing aids
  • Assistance with the cost of the initial purchase of hearing devices
  • Assistance with the costs of hearing services associated with proper fitting and maintenance.


What Needs to be Done?


There are some areas where the program could be improved. For example, there is a lack of support for young Australians who experience hearing loss. There is also a lack of funding for clinical research into new and improved treatments for hearing conditions. This has led to a lack of innovation in the hearing health sector in recent years.


Hearing impaired adults on low incomes who are not eligible for the Commonwealth’s Hearing Services Program are usually unable to afford the often costly hearing health services or hearing aids. This can lead to a significant decrease in their quality of life, as they may become isolated and depressed.


There are a number of ways in which the Federal Government could improve its support for people living with hearing loss. For example, it could:


  • Raise money for research into new and more effective hearing-loss cures
  • Making hearing health a national priority
  • Increase funding for the Commonwealth Hearing Services Program so that more people may benefit from cost-effective hearing care
  • Hearing aids should be eligible for funding through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
  • Social media campaigns to raise awareness of the value of hearing health among the general public


In Conclusion


Hearing health is essential for a good quality of life, yet it is not a national health priority. This means that there are many gaps in the Federal Government's hearing services program which can have a significant impact on those living with hearing loss. 


There are a number of ways in which the Federal Government could improve its support for people living with hearing loss, and we hope that it will take action to address these gaps in the near future.


Find out what government-funded hearing services support is available in your local state or territory:


Australian Capital Territory


New South Wales


Northern Territory


Queensland


South Australia


Tasmania


Victoria


Western Australia.


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