Skip to content

Alert message

We've updated our website with a new look, refreshed navigation, and greater accessibility! Read more.

Home page

Hearing support

Depending on your circumstances and type of hearing loss, you may be able to get funding support from the Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme and the Hearing Aid Funding Scheme.

Enable New Zealand administers the Hearing aid funding and subsidy schemes on behalf of Disability Support Services (DSS).

Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme

The Hearing Aid Subsidy Scheme provides $511.11 (including GST) towards the cost of a single hearing aid for each ear to adults (over the age of 16). To be eligible for the subsidy, you must have permanent hearing loss, need a hearing aid, be a New Zealand citizen living in New Zealand or permanent resident, and not be already covered under the Hearing Aid Funding Scheme. You may receive the subsidy for both hearing aids ($1022.22 in total) if you require one for each ear.

There are clinical guidelines you will need to meet. An audiologist registered with Enable New Zealand will discuss these guidelines with you during your appointment.

If you do not meet the guidelines, your audiologist may apply to Enable New Zealand for a review of your child’s circumstances.

Please consider the cost of the hearing aid or support. You can choose to go over the subsidy limit but you will need to pay anything over this from your own pocket.

Hearing Aid Funding Scheme

The Hearing Aid Funding Scheme covers the cost of hearing aids for eligible children and adults (over 16 years old) who are New Zealand citizens, living in New Zealand or permanent residents. Funding for a hearing aid for each ear is available for adults no more than once every six years. For children it is available no more than three times in six years.

Children are eligible if they meet the hearing loss criteria.

Adults are eligible if they:

  • Have had a significant hearing loss from childhood, or

  • Have hearing loss and a significant visual impairment (for example, Deafblind); or hearing loss and an intellectual disability, or a physical disability that limits their ability to communicate safely and effectively.

Adults may also be eligible if they have a hearing impairment, a Community Services Card and are either:

  • In paid employment for 30 hours per week or more

  • A registered job seeker seeking paid employment

  • Doing voluntary work (more than 20 hours per week)

  • Studying full time

  • Caring full time for a dependent person under the age of 14 or, a person with long-term disability-related needs.

Cost coverage

Please remember that the Disability Support Services funding only covers the price of the hearing aid. It won’t include the cost of assessment or fitting fees that the audiology service may charge you or your child.

Before Enable New Zealand can consider funding for hearing aids, you must have a hearing needs assessment with a hearing specialist (an audiologist or audiometrist). Once you have had an assessment, your audiologist or audiometrist will submit an application to us on your behalf for any funding you may be eligible for.