Remuera-based Hearing Auckland provides expert, unbiased advice to help you find the right hearing aids
To help you, Hearing Auckland provides independent, expert advice. We're not tied to any one manufacturer so our team provide solutions based on your needs. We help you select your hearing aids to match your unique sound preferences and hearing needs. Our focus is getting you the best hearing solution for you. It's not selling everyone the same make or model.
To make it even easier, we offer a risk-free hearing aid trial which allows you to test your new devices in real-life situations for up to 90 days before making a final decision. If adjustments are needed, we’ll fine-tune your settings or explore alternative models to ensure you’re completely satisfied.
Get in touch to book an appointment or learn more about how we can help with your hearing needs. If you are concerned about the cost of hearing aids, please chat with our team as we may be able to assist with hearing aid funding.
Essential hearing aid accessories
To get the most out of your hearing aids, we offer a range of accessories designed to enhance performance and extend the life of your hearing aid. Our selection includes:- hearing aid batteries in all sizes, with bulk purchase discounts
- wax guards and filters to prevent blockages and protect your devices
- cleaning kits to keep your hearing aids in top condition
- dry aid kits to remove moisture to extend the lifespan of your devices
With the right accessories, you can keep your hearing aids functioning at their best for years to come.
Ongoing support and hearing aid repairs
Your hearing needs may change over time, but we’re here to support you every step of the way. We offer regular check-ups, adjustments, and hearing aid servicing to keep your devices working at their best.If you ever experience issues, our team is just a call away, ready to assist with troubleshooting and maintenance.
We provide on-site minor hearing aid repairs to fix common issues like blocked speakers and domes or faulty battery doors. For more complex repairs, we coordinate with manufacturers to ensure your hearing aids are restored to full functionality.
Custom earplugs for a range of uses
Protecting your hearing is just as important as restoring it. To help you protect your hearing we offer custom earplugs for a range of situations.
Earplugs for musicians - HearSavers and Serenity Choice are special earplugs for musicians which reduce the overall sound level without compromising sound quality or blocking any part of the musical spectrum. They are suitable for children learning an instrument, amateur musicians and professionals.
Hearing protection for shooters - These earplugs reduce the impact of the explosive sound of gunfire while still allowing you to hear conversation and environmental sounds so as not to reduce your spatial and situational awareness.
Earpieces for TV presenters - custom-fit earpieces allow studio-based or roaming presenters to receive sound such as directions from producers clearly directly into their ear.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Literally anyone can sell hearing aids. Yes, anyone can. There is no requirement that someone selling hearing aids has any qualifications at all! We think that’s scary because the wrong hearing aids (or the right hearing aids programmed incorrectly) won’t help you to hear well, and they can even damage your hearing.
However, the Ministry of Health recognises that audiologists and audiometrists who are Members of the New Zealand Audiological Society (NZAS) are qualified to fit hearing aids. That’s why the Ministry of Health funding schemes are only available to Members of the NZAS. ACC and Veterans' Affairs only provide hearing aid funding if an Audiologist or Audiometrist Member of the NZAS is solely responsible for testing your hearing and fitting your hearing aids.
Hearing Auckland clinicians are all fully qualified Audiologist Members of the NZAS and have access to all forms of funding.
The cost of hearing aids depends on where you buy them, your hearing loss, your style preference, your hearing needs, your budget and how much (if any) funding you’re eligible for. There are many funding sources available (the Ministry of Health, Veterans’ Affairs or ACC) that may contribute to the cost of your hearing aids and in some cases the professional fees for hearing tests and fittings. The actual amount you pay can vary from nothing to several thousands of dollars.
Hearing aids can be a significant cost, so you should ensure that you get advice from a qualified audiologist or audiometrist (a Member of the NZAS).
Remember that anyone can fit and sell hearing aids, and anyone (qualified or not) can call themselves an audiometrist or audiologist. Only members of the NZAS can access Ministry of Health funding, and only MNZAS Audiologists can access funding from the ACC and Veterans' Affairs.
Several funding options are available to help you purchase hearing aids. Hearing Auckland staff are experienced with all funding options, and qualified to access funding on your behalf. We’ll work with you to find what funding you qualify for and make applications for you:
Ministry of Social Development, Disability Support Services (MSD, DSS)
The Ministry of Social Development, Disability Support Services (MSD, DSS) provides two funding streams for New Zealand adult residents: Hearing Aid Funding and the Hearing Aid Subsidy. Hearing Aid Funding pays the cost of hearing aids, but it does not pay any amount towards tests or fitting fees. We can determine your eligibility. The Hearing Aid Subsidy of $511.11 (incl. GST) per hearing aid is available no more than once every six years to New Zealand adult residents who do not qualify for Hearing Aid Funding, or funding from the ACC or funding from Veterans’ Affairs. More information is available here.
Veterans’ Affairs NZ
If you have served in the New Zealand Defense Forces and have noise-induced hearing loss related to your service, funding may be available. More information is available here.
ACC Funding
The process for applying to the ACC to cover work-related noise-induced hearing loss is relatively complex. If you think you may have acquired hearing loss from working in a noisy environment, please make an appointment to see a clinician to learn about this. If the ACC provides cover and entitlements for a noise-induced hearing loss you will receive a letter from the ACC explaining the benefits you’ll receive, including the amount of money they’ll contribute towards the costs of hearing aids and associated fees. Depending on your hearing needs, we can provide hearing aids within the amounts paid by the ACC.
Work and Income
If you are on a low income or benefit, help for costs related to hearing loss may be available from WINZ. Contact your local WINZ office.
Health Insurance
Your hearing aids and/or some of the professional fees for testing hearing and fitting hearing aids may be covered by your private health insurance policy. Hearing Auckland is experienced in working with all major insurance companies.
Iwi funding
Contact your local Iwi as some Iwi (for example Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei) offer subsidies and health insurance that includes some funding for hearing aids and fees.
If your audiologist or audiometrist is accessing funding they must give you a written quote showing the full cost of your hearing aids including any fees and any non-refundable portion. They must show the amount and source of funding they are claiming on your behalf. The quote must include at least two options which will cost different amounts, and they must explain the different results you can expect with each option.
Most hearing aids use replaceable batteries for their power source. You can buy replacement batteries from us at Hearing Auckland, or usually from pharmacies or supermarkets. Hearing aid batteries typically last a week and cost about $1 each (depending on where you buy them).
Some hearing aids also have replaceable domes that go into your ear to deliver sound. The tip of these is usually protected by a very small filter that is intended to prevent wax from entering the small speaker inside the dome. You will need to regularly replace the filter (about once a month) and the dome (about once every 6 months). If you prefer, visit us and we’ll replace them for you.
Most hearing aid manufacturers offer a two or three year warranty that covers defects in manufacturing. Most warranties exclude damage caused by ear wax or moisture entering and damaging the hearing aid, so it’s important that you follow our advice about use and care.
Please contact us if you have to lodge an insurance claim for your hearing aid/s and we will assist you in the process.
The best hearing aids for you are the hearing aids that you will wear whenever and wherever you need to hear. The worst hearing aids for you are the ones that you buy and don’t wear! Hearing aids use sophisticated technology (that often includes artificial intelligence) to provide you with natural sound quality and to eliminate as much unwanted sound as possible. You should have a trial to test hearing aids by using them in places where you want to hear. Ask to try a couple of different brands of hearing aids because they sound different and you may prefer the sound of one brand more than another. Your audiologist or audiometrist should listen to your comments about how much the hearing aids are helping you and adjust them if they aren’t working well. You should return them during the trial period if you aren’t getting the benefits you were told you should expect.
Hearing aids are usually distinguished by their style. The three most common hearing aid styles are:
- Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE)
- Behind-the-ear (BTE)
- In-the-ear (ITE)
Hearing aids in all styles are small and lightweight, and most are nearly invisible when you’re wearing them. There’s also a variety of colours to choose from, whether you want them to blend with your skin and hair tones or you want to make them stand out. They are easy to wear and comfortable.
It used to be the case that people with smaller degrees of hearing loss could have smaller hearing aids, but that’s no longer always true. Most people can choose any style, but one style may suit them best. Very small hearing aids that fit entirely within your ear canal may meet your hearing needs and may appeal because they’re “invisible” but they may not be manageable, they may block frequently with ear wax, and they may give your own voice unpleasant qualities. It’s best to discuss the style options with your audiologist or audiometrist.
The size and shape of your ear canal, the amount of earwax that you produce, how much time you spend in humid or wet environments, and how dusty your environments are all influence the style that will suit you best. Almost all styles can achieve similar results in terms of your hearing, but some will be less troublesome, and easier to manage.
No. One brand, one model does not fit all so it's important that your hearing aids are selected for you-personally. We help you select your hearing aids to match your unique sound preferences and hearing needs.
Some features are personal preferences. For example, do you want to have a volume control or will you be happy if the hearing aids manage the sound level automatically? Similarly, do you want to replace batteries or would you prefer a rechargeable hearing aid?
Other features - especially the noise control features and sound enhancement (amplification) characteristics depend greatly on your hearing loss and your hearing needs, what you want to hear and where will you be listening. For example, if you spend more time watching TV or listening to one or two people in quiet places, your needs will be different to someone who spends a lot of time in noisy environments with background noise.
Your audiologist should advise you about what features will benefit you, how much benefit you can expect and how much they’ll cost.
Professional hearing aid fittings
Proper hearing aid fitting is essential for comfort and performance. The expert team at our hearing clinic ensure your hearing aids are customised to your specific needs.
During your fitting, we will:
- show you how to insert and remove your hearing aids
- adjust settings for different listening environments
- teach you how to clean and maintain your devices
- help you connect your hearing aids to smartphones, TVs, and other devices
With expert guidance from our team, you’ll feel confident using your hearing aids from day one.