FAQ

While medical referrals from GPs and other health professionals are welcomed, they are not required to utilise services at Mackay Hearing. We happily accept self-referrals as well.

If you are concerned about your or a loved one’s hearing, just contact our friendly local staff directly on (07) 4952 4649, email us at listening@mackayhearing.com.au, or leave us a message on our website, and we will be happy to chat to you about how we can help.

It is likely there will be a range of potentially workable hearing aid options available to you. However there will probably be a shortlist of devices offering the best possible outcome, based on the type and degree of your hearing loss, ear size and shape, lifestyle, budget and aesthetic preferences.

We will talk you through the advantages and disadvantages of suitable options, giving you all the relevant information required to make an informed decision.

Ultimately yes – it is completely your choice which hearing aid brand, style and level of technology you are fitted with.

We will talk you through the advantages and disadvantages of suitable options, giving you all the relevant information required to make an informed choice.

Hearing aid prices vary according to brand, style, features and technology level. Prices change regularly due in part to the release of new products, and retirement of old devices.

Our hearing aid price range for privately purchased hearing aids starts from about $3k. Our quoted prices cover two hearing aids and all programming, fitting and support costs for the first 12 months.

Hearing aids are an important investment. When comparing prices, be mindful of the brand and level of technology, level of service offered and additional costs over the life of the hearing aids. We recommend high quality devices with proven performance, and are proud to offer strong continuity of service (you see the same experienced practitioner every appointment), an excellent after-care program and generous appointment times to ensure all relevant matters are addressed thoroughly.

If you are a pensioner or veteran, you may be eligible for the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program. Under this program, standard appointments and entry level hearing aids are provided free to clients. Hearing aids with more advanced technology are available at a subsidised cost. 

Private health funds may provide a rebate to assist with the cost of hearing aids. Contact your health fund to find out support available under your policy.

Private health funds may provide a rebate to assist with the cost of hearing services. Contact your health fund to find out support available under your policy.

In most cases, hearing aids operate effectively for a minimum of 5 years. Hearing aids that are well looked after and regularly maintained often last longer than 5 years. 

The biggest issue affecting hearing aid longevity in the tropics is internal condensation inside devices. We provide comprehensive information on effective ways to manage moisture (both at home and in-clinic) with clients at the fitting, follow-up and review appointments.

If hearing loss is in both ears, we almost always recommend a hearing aid in both ears, given the advantages of binaural hearing, and binaural hearing aid fittings. This is summarised as follows:

• our ears work together to locate the source of sound, differentiate soft and similar sounds, hear effectively in noise, and hear ‘in stereo’
• some hearing aids and their technology features work best as a pair

A hearing aid in one ear can be suitable if only one ear has hearing loss, if only one ear is ‘aidable’ (no usable hearing in the worse ear) and a CROS system isn’t suitable, or if budget or other factors prevent hearing aids in both ears.

After extensive hearing aid use, the extra stimulation of the auditory nerve and neurological pathways in the brain which process sound can make sound seem ‘sharper’, even when hearing aids aren’t worn (for a short period of time only). However, hearing aids are not able to restore, or “cure” hearing loss.

Good quality, properly programmed and well-maintained hearing aids worn regularly provide users with extensive benefits and positive outcomes.

Good quality, properly programmed and well-maintained hearing aids worn regularly amplify sound so that it is loud enough for you to hear better, but not too loud to further damage your auditory system. In this regard, it is very important that you are fitted with the right type of hearing aid for your hearing loss, and that the devices are programmed by a qualified hearing healthcare practitioner. 

Research shows that not treating hearing loss can result in worsening hearing through the effects of auditory depravation. Untreated hearing loss can result in a host of adverse physical and mental health and quality of life impacts.

For some people, the additional sound and physical sensation of hearing aids in / behind ears can take some time to get used to. As with any health treatment, the effectiveness and length of time taken to acclimatise varies from person to person.

It can take up to 4 to 6 months to fully acclimatise to new hearing aids, but the majority of acclimatisation happens in the first few days. The key recommendation is extensive use and persistence in those early few days after fitting. The more hearing aids are worn, the quicker the acclimatisation process will be.  

Acclimatisation to hearing aids is discussed in detail at the fitting appointment and, if required, subsequent appointments.