With World Hearing Day celebrated on Monday 3 March, Deafness Forum Australia calls for expanded Cochlear Implant coverage for Seniors, advocating for enhanced quality of life and health equity.
The peak body representing the interests of Australians living with hearing loss is urging the Australian Government to address a critical gap in healthcare provisions by expanding coverage for hearing implant sound processors to include patients over 65 who received their initial implants in public hospitals. This change would ensure equitable access to life-changing technology for vulnerable seniors and align Australia with best practices in hearing healthcare.
Currently, older Australians who received cochlear implants often lack access to public funding for sound processor replacements through Commonwealth, State, or aged care systems. This discrepancy disproportionately affects a significant segment of cochlear implant recipients, as individuals over 65 account for over 43% of all cochlear implant surgeries in Australia. While the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program assists eligible pensioners with hearing aid processor parts and repairs, it excludes funding for cochlear implant sound processor replacements for anyone implanted when they were over 65 in the public health system.
Peak body, Deafness Forum Australia explains that this exclusion creates a significant inequity, leaving some of the most vulnerable Australians with severe to profound hearing loss without adequate support.
Independent research by the National Acoustics Laboratory (NAL) has demonstrated the substantial benefits of upgrading processors. The NAL study demonstrated that updated technology significantly improved speech understanding in noisy environments, enhanced communication in everyday life, and boosted overall well-being for recipients. The study concluded that the improvements justified the cost of providing upgrades.
“For too long, older Australians who rely on cochlear implants have faced an unjust barrier to accessing the technology they need to fully participate in life,” said Deafness Forum Australia chair Ms Rae Walker, based in Perth (pictured).
“This isn’t just about hearing; it’s about connection, communication, and quality of life. We know that updating sound processors allows seniors to actively engage in conversations, maintain relationships, and remain active members of their communities.
“The time for debate is over; the government must act now to provide this essential support and prevent further social isolation among our most vulnerable citizens,” Rae Walker said.
Deafness Forum Australia advocates for an expansion of coverage that aligns with the Hearing Services Program’s ongoing support for hearing aid technology maintenance, ensuring consistent access to essential hearing solutions. The estimated cost of providing sound processor upgrades for eligible people with Cochlear Implants is approximately $13 million cumulatively across four years.
“It’s a worthwhile investment in the health and well-being of older Australians and will ensure that a growing cohort of older and vulnerable people benefits from regular upgrades, preventing social isolation and improving their overall quality of life,” Rae Walker said.
About Deafness Forum Australia
Deafness Forum Australia is recognised by the Australian Government as the national representative peak body for the 4 million Australians who live with hearing loss, have ear or balance disorders, people who also communicate using Australian Sign Language, and their families and supporters.
Deafness Forum’s mission is to make hearing health and wellbeing a national priority in Australia and address the societal barriers that inhibit the equitable inclusion of people with hearing loss as citizens and community members.