Hearing Aids

Meeting your needs

During your needs assessment your audiologist will discuss your individual hearing loss and evaluate the impact of your hearing loss on the environments you spend the most time in. They will help you to identify individualized goals which will have the greatest impact on your day-to-day interactions with others and your quality of life. Your hearing assessment results, the environments you encounter and these individual goals will be match to hearing technology features to best meet your individual needs and goals.

As an independently owned and operated clinic SoundWave is not affiliated with any one hearing aid manufacturer. This means we can provide unbiased advice and recommend products best suited to your individual needs from the full range of technology available in New Zealand.

We believe one of our key points of difference is that we offer our patients the ability to have a real-world evaluation of their hearing needs based on their individual lifestyle. We offer the ability to try devices free of charge for 10 days. While you are trying these devices and seeing for yourself what they feel and sound like, the state-of-the-art technology is keeping record of the different sound environments you encounter which helps us determine the appropriate technology based on your own real-life experiences.

Like you we want to be sure you have the best possible outcome from your investment. Which is why we use a range of objective and subjective measures to evaluate the success of your hearing aid fitting and the associated communication benefits. If you or your audiologist are not satisfied with the outcomes provided by the devices on trial, you have the option of trying an alternative option. In the unlikely event that you are still not satisfied with the devices or the benefits they provide you can return them and we will refund you the full amount of your investment. *

The cost associated with investing in better hearing

We understand that investing in hearing aids is a similar to any other investment. It is important that you are provided with all the information you need to allow you to make an informed decision and that you are able to see a return on your investment. That is why we will provide you with information on more than one suitable option for your hearing loss and day-to-day listening needs. Each manufacturer/brand has different strengths and features. As an independent hearing clinic, we have the option of choosing the best technology available for your individual needs. We are not committed to any specific brand and can always recommend the best technology as it comes on the market.

The cost associated with NOT investing in better hearing

Hearing loss and especially the idea of needing hearing aids can be difficult to accept. Many people need time to come to grips with the diagnosis of hearing loss and the idea of wearing hearing aids. Often, we have to confront the stigma we perceive to be associated with hearing aids. It is however also important to consider the cost associated with not making this investment.

Untreated hearing loss has been linked to other health conditions such as depression, dementia, and increased risk of trips and falls. “A hearing loss essentially limits one’s ability to communicate, and through this, limits a person’s ability to interact with their community, in the absence of appropriate supports.”

The Listen Hear! New Zealand report assesses the cost of hearing loss and deafness, in terms of the economy and of personal wellbeing. It also highlights the gaps in funding and support.

It was commissioned by The National Foundation for the Deaf and prepared by Deloitte Access Economics, which compiled a similar benchmark review in Australia in 2006. Funding was provided by the Oticon Foundation and the Zena and Jack Peat Charitable Trust.

The purpose of the report is to raise awareness of the economic cost of hearing loss. The net value of lost wellbeing is estimated at $ 9.3 billion, which accounts for a whopping 80% of the total costs associated with hearing loss.

These problems increase with age, and males are affected more than females – which is mostly the result of the higher prevalence in males. Learning about this research may make you wonder – can you afford not to address hearing issues?

What is covered by the investment I make towards better hearing?

While hearing aid prices can seem like a substantial investment, it’s important to know that you are paying for more than just the devices themselves. Hearing aids bought off the shelf are more often than not, not particularly useful for you.

Many services are included in the price of your hearing aids. The needs assessment consultation, initial hearing aid fitting, including objective measurement of how your hearing aids are functioning in your ears, and all follow-up adjustments while the devices are under warranty are included.  Manufacturer warrantees are usually two and sometimes three years.

At your hearing fitting appointment, we will customise your hearing aids for your hearing levels and your individual ear characteristics.

When you get hearing aids for the first time, it takes time to adjust to hearing the sounds you have been missing. Having an experienced audiologist to help you through this adjustment is essential to your hearing outcomes.

Hearing aid funding, hearing aid subsidies and other assistance

Being a full audiologist member of the New Zealand Audiology Society and holding a current practising certificate, your audiologist is able to provide access to all funding options available in New Zealand including the Ministry of Health Hearing Aid Funding Scheme, the Ministry of Health Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme; ACC funding relating to gradual process occupational noise induced hearing loss, hearing loss as a result of treatment injuries and hearing loss associated with a traumatic injury and Veterans’ affairs. Please refer to the Funding Options section on our website.