DECEMBER 2002

Hearing aids - coming round again

This seems to be a perennial.

As I said in the last REVIEW, hearing and its related needs are areas where you are better off talking directly to War Pensions Services. However, when you have had your War Disablement Pension allowed for hearing and you are going off to the Audiologist to get a new hearing aid what can you expect to get and what can you expect to pay (or have paid for you)?

War Pensions Services have a price limit on what they can spend on each hearing aid. The figure is set by the War Pensions Advisory Board, whose members include the Secretary for War Pensions and the RNZRSA. The limit currently stands at $800.00 exclusive of GST, ie the wholesale price. So the retail cost would be much more by the time you have added on tax and a profit margin. On top of this cost War Pensions Services are able to pay the standard fitting fee of $360.56 for one aid ($528.75 for two).

The vast majority of people needing hearing aids can be catered for within this set price. There will be a few people who need a more powerful aid due to being severely or profoundly deaf, or because they live alone and there is a safety concern, or because they need the hearing aid to help them in their paid or unpaid work, or they have other severe disabilities, or there are other special circumstances. This last could cover many things, but I think that the emphasis should be on the word special.

It appears that there are some Audiologists who prescribe higher cost hearing aids without going into the reasons why they are asking the client to have one that is more than the $800.00 allowed. They, and the client have to be able to show War Pensions Services that there is a need, as set out in the paragraph above. There is an absolute maximum that War Pensions Services will pay, but you will need to discuss your case and your needs with them.

It may be nice to have a more expensive model hearing aid, but is it necessary? If it is not necessary and you really want to have it, are you willing to pay the balance between the amount allowed by War Pensions Services and the actual cost of the aid?

In the case of remote controls for aids War Pensions Services can pay $247.50 plus GST for a standard model, and, unless there are special circumstances and good reasons they are unlikely to pay out any more than that.

Remember; do not get pressured into having something that you don't actually need or want. If you are feeling uncomfortable about the way the way you are being treated tell the Audiologist that you would like time to think about it all, and if necessary go and find another Audiologist. You are the Customer, and the Customer is ALWAYS right.

Please note:

• Any extra costs must be discussed with you prior to the fitting and supply of the hearing aid(s).
• You are only responsible for paying for extras if you agree to purchase them.
• If they are essential, over-cost aids are available to you through War Pensions Services, but you and your Audiologist will have to prove the need.
• If you do not agree with the options the supplier offers, you have the right to go elsewhere.

Once you have received your hearing aid through War Pensions Services you will be entitled to a Battery Allowance, to help offset the cost of the batteries you will need to buy.