If you purchase hearing aids from our clinic, we include:

• No-obligation trial period of 2 weeks.

• The hearing aid fitting appointment.

• Two follow-up appointments as standard (most clinics do one).

• After these 3 appointments are completed, you are still entitled to Aftercare services for a period of 3 months, in which you can attend clinic for as many appointments as you require for on-going support and maintenance costs.

• We also include spare domes, filters and batteries to last you for at least 6 months of use.

• All hearing aids we sell also come with a 3-5 years of manufacturer warranty.

We collaborate with the most esteemed hearing aid brands Oticon, Phonak, and GN ReSound (Belton). Through years of collaboration with various manufacturers, we have identified these three as the premier brands known for their commitment to delivering hearing aids that excel in both performance and durability. Because most hearing aids are used from 4-6 years, quality of construction and general reliability are crucial considerations when selecting hearing aids - factors that are often underestimated by both clinicians and clients alike.

If you want to find out more information on the companies we work with, please click on links below.

• Oticon

• Phonak 

• GN ReSound

For more information on which brands we use for each technology level we sell, please refer to our hearing aid price list.

Once your hearing assessment is finalised, we can fit you with hearing aids in just 8 working days. For your convenience, we also keep a selection of Excellent and Tribe technology devices on hand. If we have your preferred device in stock, we can fit these hearing aids within 2-4 working days. 

If you chosen order is for custom-made devices, such as in-the-ear, please note that these are crafted in Sydney or Brisbane and will necessitate a longer production time. In most cases these can be fitted within 2.5 weeks.

Hearing aid maintenance costs include batteries (for non-rechargeable models), filters, and domes. Behind-the-ear models might need occasional speaker unit replacements. While speakers typically last the aids' lifespan, this varies with usage. Other costs cover annual audiology visits for hearing re-tests, device adjustments, sound tweaks, and firmware updates. Just like car servicing, yearly reviews ensure peak performance of hearing aids.

Taking all of this into account,you can anticipate spending between $200-$250 annually on the maintenance of hearing aids (for private clients). However, this amount will largely depend on how well people clean and can control their hearing aids. Therefore, for younger clients (those under 65 years of age), this amount will typically benearer to $200.

For eligible pensioners under HSP, there are never any on-going associated costs with hearing aid maintenance or appointment costs, as these costs are covered for by the Hearing Services Program.

You must visit our clinic for a hearing assessment before your trial. During this appointment, we will explain everything you need know to make an informed decision about your chosen devices. Once this is completed, we order the devices, which takes 8 working days. You will then return for your fitting appointment. Once fitted, you have 2 weeks to try the devices. During this time, you can also visit our clinic for adjustments and counseling at no extra cost. After the trial period is over, you then decide whether to purchase the hearing aids, explore other styles or technologies, or simply return them. 

Trials are available for the technology levels Aristo, Excellence and Tribe, in both custom and receiver-in-canal styles. Trials are not available on Standard devices.

Yes, if your private health fund provides hearing coverage, you may be entitled to a rebate for your hearing aids. The amount provided depends on your specific health fund policy. You will need to speak to your health fund provider first to determine the amount you are entitled to. If you have hearing on your policy, you'll likely be entitled to around $800-1000 towards your hearing aids (total rebate amount for two devices). We are not Hicaps registered, therefore, the rebate amount can only be provided from your health fund after the purchase is made from the invoice we provide you.

When you attend your hearing assessment, your audiologist will discuss technology aspects in greater detail, enabling you to make a completely informed decision on your technology choice. We will connect your specific hearing needs and goals to the results of your tests, offering a more comprehensive and clear understanding of the hearing aids that will work best for you. That being said, there are some things you can start to think about prior to your assessment which will give you a bit of insight how hearing aid technology works.

The best way to think about the level of technology that you need is by thinking about the hearing situations that hearing better matters the most to you. And this is obviously influenced by the type of lifestyle you lead. Therefore, if you are a moderately social person, and find yourself in social gatherings or environments with background noise where you would like to hear better, it's important to consider investing in technology that ranges from mid to high levels. However, if you are mostly at home and your primary hearing objectives are simpler—such as engaging in one-on-one conversations with loved ones, clearly understanding TV dialogue, while having smoother phone conversations—then technology at a lower level will likely be all you need.

There is also a rationale that the worse a hearing loss is, the more someone may have to spend on hearing aids. While this is true to a degree, matching hearing aids that are able to perform to listening environment expectations, is a more important factor.

Absolutely! If you're not entirely satisfied with the initial style of hearing aids, we will offer a second fitting option for your convenience. You will only be charged for any price differences between the hearing aids, with no additional fees involved. Due to the costs involved, the maximum trial of devices we can provide is two.

If you want a custom hearing aid, such as a discrete in-the-ear style, this can be sold in the technology levels of Standard, Tribe or Excellence, at the exact same price we have listed. The only level of technology we cannot provide customs in is Aristo.

Almost all smartphone that people currently use are compatible with app connectivity. This feature allows hearing aids to seamlessly connect to the user’s phone, enabling them to adjust volume levels and modify program settings. However, when it comes to streaming audio and phone calls directly from phones to hearing aids, the situation is somewhat more complex, as only specific hearing aid models are compatible with certain phone models.

We always cover phone streaming needs during appointments, ensuring compatibility for clients when possible. If a client's phone isn't compatible for streaming, there is a solution, called the ConnectClip. This small device connects to mobile phones, allowing for phone call streaming with all modern smartphones, even budget models like the Samsung A-series or Oppo phones. ConnectClips are only available in our Excellence and Aristo range.

The following models of phones will allow phone call streaming for all the hearing aids we sell

• All Apple iPhones (models 10 or newer)

• All Samsung Galaxy S-series (models 22 or newer)

• All Google Pixel (models 7 or newer)

Phone call streaming will not work on the following phones (a clip is required):

• All Samsung Galaxy (A-series)

• All Nokia mobiles

• All Oppo mobiles
  

Yes, we sell AI hearing aids at our clinic - available in both our technology levels of Excellence and Aristo. Our AI hearing aids are produced by Oticon and Phonak, including the Oticon Intent and the Phonak Sphere.

No, they are not. We charge based on the technology level, not style of device sold.

Devices from other clinics will retain their warranty at our clinic, unless they arrive damaged and out of warranty. In such cases, we may decline acceptance due to repair costs. Nonetheless, we assist clients with warranty repairs for devices not purchased from us, just like those bought at our clinic. If your device is under warranty and has issues, we will strive to provide the necessary service.

Yes, absolutely. We are happy to accommodate individuals who need to travel long distances. If you wish to have your hearing assessment and hearing aid fitting completed in one visit, we simply require a tele-health consultation with you beforehand and at least 7-8 working days' notice, so we can order the devices in for you. The tele-health is required so we can gather necessary information regarding your hearing needs, hearing health history, and your device preferences. Please contact us if this is what you are after. 

Unfortunately, no, we cannot provide free rechargeable upgrades for custom hearing aids. If you want rechargeable custom hearing aids, the prices for these will be our listed price (in any technology level we offer) + $450 extra (for two hearing aids).

Warranty periods depend on two factors: the manufacturer of the hearing aid and whether it was purchased privately or through the Hearing Services Program (HSP).

Private buyers will receive a 3-year warranty on our Standard or Tribe range, while the Excellence and Aristo come with a 4-year warranty. HSP clients receive a 5 year warranty due to HSP regulations.

Yes - we always perform REM when prescribing hearing aids, at yearly review appointments, for new-incoming clients, or when we think you may need it. This is available at both our home-visits and in-clinic appointments using our state-of-the-art wireless REM equipment.

Why is REMS important? REM effectively measures a hearing aid's performance by evaluating the sound it's producing at the persons eardrum in real-time which also factors in the acoustic coupling and accounts for the persons ear canal's unique resonance - allowing audiologists to provide tailored frequency-specific amplification that directly targets the user's hearing loss at each frequency. This ensures sound is delivered where it's needed, and not, well, where it is not.  This results in a more natural sound and improved hearing. REM is the most vital procedure we perform as audiologists.

REM is the main reason why over-the-counter and on-line sold/self programmed hearing aids are inferior to prescription based hearing aids.

People can expect to get 4-6 years of use from hearing aids. However, this will depend on the quality of care they receive and the environments in which they are used in.

The recent MarkeTrak 2023 consumer survey of 10,000 hearing aid users, suggests most people use their hearing aids on average for 4.75 years.

Audiologists will nearly always agree that the advantages of custom devices are far less than that of receiver-in-canal devices, and the really only benefit of these devices lies in management (ease-of-use), along with cosmetics (less visible devices).

That being said, customs are shaped to fit the user's ear, therefore, they generally fit very well, and are a great choice for the very elderly or those with dexterity issues. However, custom aids have trade offs - such as blocking the ear canal, leading to something called the "occlusion effect". The occlusion effect is when the sounds produced by the devices seem more "inside the persons head" (a bit like when you put your fingers in your ears and then speak). That being said, the occlsuion effect is not an issue for those with moderate or worse hearing loss, and generally will not come into play for these people. Another disadvanage of custom aids is that they are less "technology rich," offering fewer features like call streaming and speech-in-noise technology. The reason for this is that the hearing aid manufacturers have less space to pack their technology into.

Therefore, if optimal hearing, especially in noisy environments, is your goal, we always recommend receiver-in-canal hearing aids over customs (unless management is a concern).

The advantages of rechargeable-hearing aids over battery-hearing aids are that they are easier to manage, because you don't have to insert small batteries into them weekly. For people with dexterity issues, this is a clear advantage. It's also just less fiddling around in general. Because of this reason, approximately 70% of hearing aids we sell are now rechargeable.  Furthermore, they are more environmentally friendly, with no constant e-waste being produced. 

However, there are some advantages of battery-operated hearing aids over rechargeable. If you are someone always on the go, or travels often, battery operated hearing aids may be a better option for you, as you don't need to worry about wall-charging every 16-20 hours - i.e. grey nomads. Just throw a packet of batteries in your bag and you're good to go for a month!

As of April 2025, according to "HearAdvisor lab" , which is an independent hearing aid performance-tester (free from affiliation with any hearing aid companies) the worlds best hearing aids for hearing speech in noise are rated from the best to the 3rd best as:

• Phonak Infinio Sphere

• Oticon Intent 1 

• Starkey Evolv AI 2400 

(www.hearingtracker.com/hearing-aids/best-hearing-aids-background-noise) 

At Southern Hearing Excellence, we can provide 2 of these 3 devices.

Modern hearing aids are more waterproof than most people think. For example, many hearing aids are now IP68 rated, meaning they can withstand being submerged in fresh water up to 1 metre deep for 60 minutes. However, this protection does not extend to chlorinated or salty water, which can damage them.

In essence, nearly all hearing aids are designed to withstand rain, brief dips in water, and unintentional splashes, without damage. Nevertheless, to ensure longevity (and just to be safe) we always advise our clients to keep hearing aids as dry as possible.

You'll spend around $100 per year on batteries (Private clients).

If you are eligible for the HSP program, your batteries are always supplied free of charge.

This is a complex one, which gives hearing aids an unfair stigma. The primary reason many individuals fail to wear hearing aids lies with first-time users who prematurely discontinue hearing aid usage along with hearing expectations not matching chosen hearing aids/budgets.

In relation brain adaptation, this poses a problem more frequently in people who have left treatment of hearing loss too late in life. In these people, problems are usually overcome, however, they do have more issues, and require stricter, regular hearing aid use that the average hearing aid user. Regular use allows the brain to correctly go through the adaptation process that comes with neuroplasticity. In audiology we call this the "acclimatation period". During the acclimatation period, the person may find certain sounds (particularly high-frequency sounds) overwhelmingly loud and intrusive, expressing "these hearing aids are just too tinny" or "they simply don't sound right" or "all I hear is noise". But here's the kicker - this response in most cases is normal and will diminish as time goes on. Often this gets blamed on incorrect hearing aid programming or bad hearing aids. And while this is true in some cases, the reality is, in most cases it is not.

Alternatively, other common reasons for non-use is when people do not match chosen hearing aid technology to their expectations. For example, if people expect to only hear better in one-on-one situations and follow dialogue on the TV more easily, they do not require high-end technology hearing aids. However, if people expect to hear well at restaurants, cafes, and business meetings, they will require higher levels. For this reason, it's important to ensure hearing expectations match hearing aid budgets. 

In summary, by selecting the appropriate hearing aids tailored to your hearing needs, and consistently using them from the outset, these challenges are nearly always be overcome.

Some individuals with mild hearing loss may not need to wear hearing aids constantly, opting to use them primarily during social interactions or in environments where speech understanding is challenging, such as background noise environments. However, research shows that 80% of people who are prescribed hearing aids should wear them daily for at least 8 hours. Those with moderate to severe hearing losses should be wearing them even longer, around 10-14 hours per day.