Hearing Aid Bank

In November 1988, Hearing Matters Australia Inc. (formerly SHHH - Self Help for Hard of Hearing) and Macquarie Health Speech and Hearing Clinic in Sydney established a Hearing Aid Bank to enable people on love incomes who are not eligible to receive free hearing aids via Commonwealth Government funding to be fitted with donated hearing aids at a minimal cost.  

This program assists those who meet eligibility criteria set by HMA.

Who is eligible? 

• If you are NOT eligible for any other government funded hearing supports or programs i.e. Hearing Services Program, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) - Check your eligibility here 
• You hold a current Centrelink Health Card, or 
• You have an income below $50k per year or no income, or 
• You are a refugee or Asylum seeker, or 
• You are a non-resident in Australia whose visa prevents you from working in Australia and you cannot fund the cost of a hearing aid 

If you are eligible, here are the required documents:  

• Provide evidence of the above-mentioned 
• Provide a copy of your recent audiogram (within 6 months) obtained from an audiologist
• Have a referral letter from a medical practitioner certifying you can be fitted with hearing aids 
• Complete the HMA Hearing Aid Bank Application Form
• Be able to attend three appointments in Sydney area, once for a hearing test and twice for the fitting of the hearing aid(s) and follow-up 

If you are eligible, here is the cost:  

• HAB application fee to HMA: $45 (this fee also covers your one-year HMA membership fee) 
• Hearing assessment fee to SHC: $80 if required by audiologist at SHC
• Hearing aid(s) fitting fee to SHC: $320 for fitting one hearing aid; $420 for fitting two hearing aids
• Please note all hearing aids used in HMA Hearing Aid Bank program have been donated – you are not charged for the hearing aids 

How to apply?

Please read HMA HAB program Information Sheet, click here. 
For independent application, refer to HAB Application Form_independent application, click here. 
For application with financial assistance, refer to HAB Application Form_financial assistance, click here. 
Use the HAB program Information Sheet and the Application Form to prepare and submit your application, in scanned copy by email or in paper copy by post to our office:

Hearing Matters Australia HAB Program
Ground Floor Suite 650, The Australian Hearing Hub,
16 University Ave, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109

Email : admin@hearingmattersaustralia.org
Call/SMS: 0477 785 525 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10am to 4pm) 

What can you do to support Hearing Aid Bank? 

•  Donating hearing aids
  Please consider mailing functional hearing aids (only Behind-The-Ear type and Receiver-In-Canal type) that are no more than five years old to our office address: 

  
  Hearing Matters Australia HAB Program
  Ground Floor Suite 650, The Australian Hearing Hub,
  16 University Ave, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109
  Email : admin@hearingmattersaustralia.org
  Call/SMS: 0477 785 525
   

•  For Audiologists
  Please consider sending donations of functional hearing aids that are no more than five years to HMA.
  Contact HMA to participate in the scheme by providing clinical services to those eligible for the Hearing Aid Bank.
   
•  Sponsoring HAB applications
  Your $500 donation will fully sponsor one applicant to receive a full hearing assessment and be fitted with two refurbished hearing aids
  $320 will sponsor an applicant to be fitted with one hearing aid as needed
  $80 will sponsor an applicant to get a full hearing assessment done
  $45 will sponsor an HAB recipient to get one more year HMA membership benefits
  $30 will sponsor us printing 50 HAB program flyers
  $5 will shout a hearing bank story-teller a coffee
  
  Secure Link to DONATE 

Note: 
HMA is running this HAB program in NSW with the support of HMA members and volunteers.  
Most states and territories have hearing aid banks that provide reconditioned hearing devices. Hearing aid banks have their own eligibility criteria, but usually they provide hearing aids to people who:

• don’t qualify for the program
• can’t afford a hearing aid.

To find out where to access your nearest hearing aid banks in other states in Australia, here is the link: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/ear-health-and-hearing/support-services