Australians who live with a hearing loss as a result of their military service have lost their right in civilian life to receive a proper level of hearing services.
As a result of a review of military compensation, veterans with long term hearing needs have been switched to a Repatriation Health Card.
The White Specific Treatment card, as it is known, was intended to streamline services and payments, however it also introduced changes to the level of hearing aid technology that a veteran could receive without payment.
Until recently, eligible veterans could receive aids to suit their individual hearing needs.
Now that these veterans have been issued with a White Specific Treatment Card they receive their hearing services under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. Under this program, veterans receive only a base-level hearing aid at no cost. To access the correct level of technology to suit their individual hearing needs they must now make a personal payment to bridge the gap.
Veterans have told us they weren’t consulted or told about the changes in the level of hearing devices they would receive when they were issued with the White Specific Treatment Card.
While veterans who volunteered to defend their country have lost their entitlement, government employees and contractors will continue to receive fully funded top up hearing aids under Comcare arrangements.
We believe it’s an administrative oversight, at odds with the Government’s regard for defence personnel, and a matter that can be readily rectified.