Eligibility for access to the NDIS

The National Disability Insurance Agency, the organisation that manages the NDIS, said it had clarified its guidelines for access to the NDIS.

Early intervention for hearing impairment for people aged birth to 25 – the NDIA will be satisfied that a person meets the early intervention requirements without further assessment when the person:
– is aged between birth and 25 years of age; and
– has confirmed results from a specialist audiological assessment (including electrophysiological testing when required) consistent with auditory neuropathy or hearing loss equal or greater 25 decibels in either ear at 2 or more adjacent frequencies, which is likely to be permanent or long term; and
– the hearing loss of the person necessitates the use of personal amplification.

People who are 26 years and older with a permanent hearing impairment of greater than 90 decibels in the better ear (pure tone average of 500Hz, 1000Hz, 2000Hz and 4000Hz) are eligible to join the NDIS without the need to prove that their disability has substantially reduced their functional capacity.

People who are 26 years and older with a permanent hearing impairment of 65 decibels or greater in the better ear will probably be eligible to join the NDIS, but they must provide evidence that the disability results in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake communication, social interaction, learning and self-management activities.

Hearing impairments of less than 65 decibels in the better ear in conjunction with other permanent impairments (for example vision or cognitive impairments), or where there is evidence of significantly poorer than expected speech detection and discrimination outcomes, may also be considered to result in substantially reduced functional capacity to undertake relevant activities and therefore may be eligible to join the NDIS.

People who are 26 years and older with hearing impairment of less than 65 decibels in the better ear and who also have another disability may also be eligible. This is partially correct. The other disability must meet either the S24 (Disability) or S25 (Early Intervention) requirements in order for that person to meet the access requirements.

People who are 26 years and older and who have problems with speaking and listening may also be eligible to join the NDIS.