The Department of Health has announced a review of the Hearing Services Program by an Expert Panel, to better meets the needs of vulnerable Australians affected by hearing loss.
The Department said the Panel would identify possible reforms to ensure that the program remained client-focused while modernising key components in the context of policy, markets and technological developments.
“With an ageing population and an increasing demand for hearing services, the social and economic costs of hearing loss in Australia are significant,” the Department said.
“The Panel will review the Program, which has been in place since 1997,” it said.
The Department said the Review would focus on whether the program delivered services aligned with clinical need and contemporary service delivery; how the Voucher and device maintenance payment system compared with advances in the manufacturing sector and product offering; how technology was changing the provision of services through the program; and how program services were currently delivered and whether access could be enhanced for vulnerable Australians.
Minister for Regional Health, Mark Coulton said the Review’s Expert Panel consisted of Michael Woods and Zena Burgess.
“Both Professor Woods and Dr Burgess bring with them a wealth of experience and understanding and having discussed the Review with them, they are ready and will launch into their work,” Mr Coulton said.
The Hearing Services Review is expected to deliver its findings to Government in July 2021.
