If you have incurred hearing loss because of workplace noise, then you may be able to claim for the cost of reasonably necessary hearing aids and certain hearing tests. Additionally, if the hearing loss is ‘significant, as per the State Insurance Regulatory Authority guidelines, then you may also be eligible for further financial compensation (lump sum payment) in addition the costs of hearing tests and hearing aids.
If you are no longer working in a noisy industry, then you must lodge the claim with the employer who last employed you in a noisy workplace.
Understanding the claims process
But it is important that the correct claims process is followed. If your past employer’s insurer contests liability, or declines a treatment request because it does not meet ‘reasonably necessary’ criteria, you may be personally responsible for payment of accounts.
So before starting treatment with hearing aids, it is important that you have followed the steps to submit a workers compensation claim and you have approval from the insurer to start treatment.
Start with Complete Hearing Care
Complete Hearing Care can provide hearing aids (and rehabilitation) to workers with hearing loss caused by noise in the workplace. We are also able to provide and replace hearing aids as recommended by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist who is an approved assessor of permanent impairment (hearing). If you are concerned about your hearing, call us (02) 9999-6314 arrange a free screening test and consultation. We will advise you at this point about whether your hearing loss warrants taking further action, as well as outline the process for making a claim.
ENT Assessment
In New South Wales, an approved Ear, Nose, & Throat specialist is required to perform an assessment to determine the level of impairment and make the determination about whether this impairment resulted from workplace noise. Therefore, you will be required to see your GP to obtain a referral to an ENT Specialist from the SIRA list of approved assessors of permanent impairment for hearing.
Compensation for hearing loss
If your hearing loss is determined to be a result of your current or past employment, you may be able to claim lump sum compensation (https://www.sira.nsw.gov.au/claiming-compensation/workers-compensation-claims/lump-sum-compensation-permanent-impairment) as well.
If the hearing loss was due to noisy employment that occurred on or after 1 January 2002, you may be entitled to make a claim for permanent impairment lump sum compensation if you have been assessed as having a minimum of 20.5% binaural hearing loss.
If your hearing loss was due to noisy employment that occurred before 1 January 2002, you may be entitled to make a claim for permanent impairment lump sum compensation if you have been assessed as having a minimum of 6% binaural hearing loss.
The guidelines for the evaluation of permanent impairment explain how the assessment is carried out.
Finding an ENT
You can use the SIRA permanent impairment assessor finder to locate an approved assessor of permanent impairment near you.
Hearing aids
To be eligible to claim for the cost of a hearing aid, you must have a hearing loss injury arising from your employment. The ENT will assess whether you would benefit from the provision of a hearing aid to help manage your hearing loss. At this stage, you will be making a claim for medical expenses (up to $2500 per hearing aid) and will back to Complete Hearing Care to be fitted with an appropriate solution.
Making a claim
To make a claim for medical expenses for hearing aids you must provide the employer or insurer with:
- The ENT specialist report recommending the use of hearing aids and a copy of the audiogram
- The hearing needs assessment report and a quote for the cost of the hearing aids completed by a SIRA approved hearing service provider, such as Complete Hearing Care
- To make a claim for permanent impairment, you must provide to the employer or insurer with:
- The ENT specialist report with the assessed binaural hearing loss and a copy of the audiogram
- A completed permanent impairment claim form.
Contact us today!
If you have any questions regarding the Workers Compensation or would like to arrange your free hearing screening and consultation, call us today on 02 9999-6314 or use the form found here.