Recent Articles
Binaural streaming for telephones
We love to keep you up to date with new developments in hearing aids, and we think this is something worth telling you about. For those of you who struggle to hear on the telephone, this might be just the help you need.
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Signal processing in hearing aids
Signal processing can be described as what happens inside a hearing aid after a sound has been detected by the microphone, and before it is delivered to the receiver (or loudspeaker).
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Microphone directionality in
hearing aids
A microphone is an essential component in all hearing aids. It picks up sound from within the environment and converts it to an electrical signal which can then be processed by the hearing aid. You may have heard that it is best to have directional hearing aids, and this article aims to explain what directionality is, and why it will benefit you.
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Cerumen impaction
Although cerumen (ear wax) impaction was discussed
in an earlier issue of our newsletter, it remains a popular topic in the
clinic. As we frequently answer questions on wax build-up, we thought it
was time for some revision.
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Ménière’s Disease
There are many different causes of hearing loss,
ranging from presbyacusis (aging changes) to middle ear disease (for
example perforations of the eardrum). In a previous issue of our newsletter
we discussed otosclerosis, the abnormal growth of bone in the middle
ear.
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Restaurants in Auckland
where are the places to be and be heard?
Many of our clients experience difficulty hearing
their friends and family in restaurants, bars and cafes. Contemporary
trends in architecture and design have led to restaurants becoming noisier than
ever before.
Read More...
Otosclerosis
Otosclerosis is the abnormal growth of bone in the middle ear. It usually affects
the stapes bone, which rests in the entrance to the inner ear (the oval window).
As the disease progresses, the stapes becomes fixated in the oval window and
this interferes with sound waves passing to the inner ear.
Read More...
Tinnitus
Tinnitus is defined as the perception of sound in
the absence of a source of sound outside of the head. The term tinnitus is
derived from the Latin word tinnire, meaning to tinkle or ring.
Read More...
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Hearing Aid Resources
Newsletters
Click on the links below to download
our Newsletters.
2011 Autumn Newsletter (6 pages)
(1.5mb
pdf file) 
2010 Summer Newsletter (4 pages)
(1mb
pdf file)
2010 Spring Newsletter (4 pages)
(1mb
pdf file)
2010 Winter Newsletter (4 pages)
(1mb
pdf file)
Hearing Articles
Changes to ACC Funding
The new ACC regulations came into force on 1 January 2011. Because many of the aspects of the changes are still being defined, it is difficult for us to be completely sure how they will be implemented in practice, but below you will find an update of the main changes, as we understand them.
Funding for hearing instruments
ACC will determine how much of the client’s total hearing loss they believe is due to injury (eg, noise exposure) and, if it is more than 6%, based upon this calculation will contribute to a portion of the hearing aid cost. In most cases there will also be a contribution from the Ministry of Health for non-injury (eg, age-related) hearing loss. ACC then provides the claimant with a letter outlining the total amount that they will provide to assist with a hearing aid purchase. ACC has left it up to the claimant and the audiologist to decide which product is best for that person, but are not providing sufficient funding to deliver a complete hearing solution. In other words, in all cases (both new claims, and replacement hearing aids for existing claimants) the hearing aid user will need to contribute financially to the cost of their hearing aids.
The funding (or, more accurately, subsidy) provided by ACC and the Ministry of Health for hearing instruments will not be repeated until the hearing devices are at least six years old.
Accessories and Consumables
ACC will no longer provide funding for accessories such as remote controls or streamers, or assistive devices such as telephones. Consumables will no longer be routinely covered (eg, domes, wax filters or cleaning products), with the exception of batteries which they will still courier to you via their supplier.
Services and repairs
Only after a hearing aid is two years old will ACC contribute to any repair costs. In this case, ACC will contribute up to $200 for a single repair of a hearing aid, but only once every two years. This is a one off payment, so we are unable to invoice ACC for any more than one repair within a two year period (even if the repair cost is less than $200). Note also that this service charge is $200 per claimant per two years, regardless of whether the claimant has one or two hearing instruments.
ACC will contribute up to $57.50 two times per year (per claimant, not per aid) to cover the cost of fault-finding appointments or the cost of consumables such as earmould tubings and replacement domes.
Annual hearing and hearinginstrument reviews
There will be no contribution from ACC towards the annual monitoring of your degree of hearing loss and performance of your hearing instruments. This is a cost that ACC is now passing on to its claimants. Once the hearing aids provided by ACC are six years old, they may at that stage pay for an updated assessment of the claimants hearing.
Many of these changes are confusing, so if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you have any concerns around these changes please realise that our hands are tied – we have to adhere to the rules put in place by ACC. In this case, we suggest you contact your ACC Case Manager, or write to your local MP.
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