General Practitioner Hearing Health Guide

Partnering with Australian Hearing Improve your patients’ hearing health

hearing.com.au

Who is Australian Hearing?

Established in 1947, Australian Hearing is the largest provider of services for pensioners and veterans under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program.

We are also the sole provider of government funded hearing services for children and young adults under the age of 26, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged over 50, and adults with complex hearing needs.

Each year we provide over 445,000 hearing health appointments across our growing network of 131 permanent hearing centres and 360 visiting sites.

Australian Hearing clinicians also provide services at more than 220 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander outreach sites in urban, rural and remote areas of Australia.

We have a world-renowned research division, which guides our audiologists with evidence based clinical practice. Over 60% of hearing aids fitted around the world are based on research from National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL).

Australian Hearing is a provider of CPD education to general practice.

To find out more about how we can partner with your practice, call our GP referral helpline on 1800 776 631 or visit hearing.com.au.

Eligibility for hearing services

Australian Hearing provides hearing services under the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program, which is administered by the Department of Health through the Office of Hearing Services (OHS).

All new applications for hearing services need to be referred by a medical practitioner.

The following patients are eligible for our services: • • • • • • • • •

Pensioner Concession Card holders.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Repatriation Health Card holders.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs White Repatriation Health Card holders.

Recipients of a sickness allowance from Centrelink.

Members of the Australian Defence Forces.

Children and young adults up to the age of 26 years.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 50 years and over.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples participating in Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP).

Adults with complex rehabilitation hearing needs.

The services we offer include: • • • • • • •

Hearing assessments and the fitting of hearing aids.

Access to the latest digital hearing technology, and a range of assistive listening devices.

Repair and maintenance of hearing devices and supply of batteries.

On-going follow up care and advice.

Rehabilitation programs.

Education for GPs about hearing health.

Access to translators, and patient information in multiple languages.

Improving your patients’ hearing health

We encourage all adults aged over 60 to include a hearing check as part of their annual health assessment.

Australian Hearing offers a hearing check program for GP practices, at no cost to the practice or patient.

Medicare Claimable hearing checks at a GP practice: • • • • • •

Hearing checks are performed at your clinic by a practice staff member.

We train your staff member to perform the hearing check and how to refer a patient to the Hearing Services Program.

We provide all the equipment required to conduct the checks.

If a patient requires further hearing assessment and they are eligible for the services, your practice can refer them to their local Australian Hearing centre.

If a patient is not eligible, your practice provides further information on what steps they should take.

We can support the promotion of your hearing check service.

If you provide medical services specified under the MBS Audiology Services (item number 11306), you will be able to claim a fee for the audiology service.

Non-Claimable hearing checks at a GP practice or Australian Hearing centre: • • • •

This service can be provided for your patients either at your practice or your local Australian Hearing centre.

Australian Hearing staff conduct the hearing checks at your practice, or your patient is provided with the details of the closest Australian Hearing centre for a free hearing check.

Australian Hearing conducts the hearing checks, we will attend your practice on an agreed date.

We will support the promotion of the hearing check day.

For either hearing check program selected, GPs are required to refer patients with an identified hearing loss to the Government Hearing Services Program.

Why refer to Australian Hearing?

Important for your patient’s quality of life • • • •

60% of people aged over 60 experience hearing loss, with prevalence increasing with age.

Strong links exist between hearing health and other significant medical conditions.

Left untreated, hearing loss can lead to social withdrawal and low self-esteem.

We encourage a multidisciplinary approach, with GPs, partners and families included in our rehabilitation programs.

Industry leading research, knowledge and solutions • • •

Only hearing provider with an Australian-based research division.

Range of hearing care solutions available, including assistive listening devices.

Evidence based practice and clinical outcome reporting is core to each of our programs.

Commercial benefits for your practice Options for revenue generation include: • •

Medicare claimable hearing screenings.

Room rental as an Australian Hearing visiting site location.

Support for doctors • • • •

Dedicated GP referral helpline.

Accredited provider of CPD education for GPs and Practice Managers.

Easy access to our audiologists for patients and GPs. Collateral, website and social media content provided to practices.

Largest and most established provider • •

Over 500 locations Australia-wide, plus home visits where required 400+ highly trained clinicians.

•

Referring a patient to Australian Hearing In 4 easy steps

1

Generate a referral letter for the patient to take to Australian Hearing (incl. practitioner number).

The Australian Hearing Medical Certificate (referral form) is available on Medical Director and Best Practice. or complete the Medical Certificate form (provided by patient) and email to referral@hearing.com.au

2

Australian Hearing contacts the patient to organise appointment on receipt of referral letter/Medical Certificate.

3

Hearing Assessment is conducted. All assessments, hearing aids and devices (if required) are subsidised for eligible people.

4

You receive a follow up communication from Australian Hearing to advise the outcome of the assessment.

Australian Hearing provide services to children with a pre-diagnosed hearing loss. If you are concerned about a child’s hearing, contact Australian Hearing on 131 797 to understand the local referral process.

Why should you be concerned about hearing health?

Currently one in six Australians has some form of hearing loss, and this is set to increase to one in four by 2050. Left undetected, hearing loss can also increase an individual’s risk factor for a number of acute health conditions. The earlier a hearing loss is diagnosed, the greater the impact of intervention will be.

Hearing loss and cerebro and cardiovascular disorders: Poor cardiovascular health causes inadequate blood flow and blood vessel trauma to the inner ear.

The inner ear is sensitive to blood flow disorders such as hearing loss, particularly at the lower frequencies, which may be an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease.

Hearing loss and diabetes: Researchers have discovered a higher rate of hearing loss in people with diabetes, and evidence exists that diabetes may lead to sensorineural hearing loss. This occurs by damaging the nerves and blood vessels of the inner ear due to the pathological changes that are associated with the condition.

Hearing loss and cancer treatments:

Hearing loss and mental health:

Research has revealed a strong link between hearing loss (and related conditions eg tinnitus) and cancer treatment.

An expertly fitted digital hearing aid can significantly reduce the physical and emotional consequences of hearing loss. Studies show that people who wear hearing aids are less affected by depression, have improved health, and experience a better sense of independence and control over their lives.

It is important for both the doctor and patient to understand the risk of ototoxicity when treating cancer, and that its long term implications may include permanent hearing loss. While treatment is ongoing, an audiologist can assist with monitoring for ototoxicity and make recommendations for early intervention if possible.

Australian Hearing encourages patients to report any suspected or known hearing loss to their GP. For more information on these clinical studies, visit hearing.com.au.

Contact us To find out more about how we can work with you, our Audiologists are only a phone call away. Call the Australian Hearing GP enquiry line 1800 776 631.

AH0263 30012015

Visit hearing.com.au for more information.