We advocate for a level playing field, for equity and inclusion in all issues that govern our independent businesses
On World Hearing Day, Jane talked "Hearing Awareness" with Audiology Australia.
​​​Since we formed HBA in September 2016, we have represented Members' concerns to, among many others, Federal and State governments, the ACCC, AGCNCO, ASBFEO, NDIA, the Ombudsman, a Parliamentary Inquiry, an HSP Review, and various hearing industry organisations and stakeholders.
We were a member of the Roadmap for Hearing Health Committee, and a founding member of HHSA [our CEO is the current Chair].
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Detailed progress reports in Jane's CEO Newsletters are available on our Members' pages.
It's not all work! Stephen, Emma, Jane, Gayle & Terry, ACAud Cairns
Jane & Stephen at HBA's booth, ACAud, Cairns
Learning about government-funded hearing research projects
It's not all work! Stephen, Emma, Jane, Gayle & Terry, ACAud Cairns
The Hearing Health Sector Alliance (HHSA)
Providing our Members a unique perspective of the status of our industry
Congratulations to our CEO Jane, on re-election as HHSA Chair, and to new Deputy Chair, AudA's CEO, Leanne Emerson. ​
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​They are pictured here, after 2024 elections in Canberra, with Miguel Diaz, ACAud's new CEO.
HHSA brings together consumer representative groups - major hearing care professional organisations, key hearing health research institutions, prominent hearing industry manufacturers, and service providers - to advise government on policy, and funding priorities, for the more than 140 recommendations in the 'Roadmap for Hearing Health'.
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HHSA raised awareness that, by adopting just two of the 22 Independent HSP Review propositions to increase eligibility, government could see a $12.30 return in benefits, on average, for each dollar invested in expanding the HSP.
HBA is an Executive HHSA Member, and one of the eight founding members:
The Department of Health and Aged Care recognises HHSA as our sector's peak body, which has now grown to 17 organisations:
Hearing Aid Manufacturers & Distributors
of Australia
Hearing Business Alliance
Hearing Care Industry Association
Meeting with Dr Brent Edwards and some of the National Acoustic Laboratories' team, Phil Nakad, Pádraig Kitterick, Xiaoyin Shang, and Dr. Jorge Mejia, in Sydney.
Seeing the challenges faced by small audiology business providers, and some of the NAL's current projects.
As HHSA Chair, Jane hosted the HSP team, Chris Carlile, Gabby Luksza and Rob Aked, on their two-day regional visit to Mildura.
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At the Mallee District Aboriginal Services, Mildura Base Public Hospital and Country Hearing Care clinic, they heard first-hand about local audiology services.
This included neonatal, paediatric and adult diagnostic audiology, aural rehabilitation, cochlear implants, tinnitus counselling, vestibular rehabilitation, industrial noise surveys and testing, cerumen management and GP and ENT medical services.
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The visit helped the team understand the many challenges for people with hearing or ear health-related issues who live in rural Australia.
HBA Early Days
HSP and (the then) Department of Human Services in Mildura, discussing the challenges of delivering hearing health care in remote rural areas, and those of small business owners who provide services under the HSP and NDIS, and other paediatric, adult diagnostic and rehabilitative work.
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In September 2023 Chris Carlile and the HSP team travelled to the country again for two days.
Meeting with The Hon. Mark Coulton, MP, The Hon. Trent Zimmerman, MP, and representatives from the (then) Departments of Human Services, Social Services, and Health, and the Hearing Services Program.
Hearing Healthcare - some recent history
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Submissions to the Inquiry into the Health and Wellbeing of Australia: HBA submissions, page 4, # 61
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Inquiry into the Hearing Health and Wellbeing of Australia and Still waiting to be heard
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"Review of Services and Technology Supply in the Hearing Services Program", Department of Health/PwC
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Peak audiology bodies call for regulation as people are 'vulnerable to exploitation'
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Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC): "Issues around the sale of hearing aids"
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ABC's The Checkout - "Had it up to hear" - Youtube video
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ABC - "Hearing aid industry put on notice" - ABC News print article
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ABC - "Have I got a hearing aid for you!" - Audio, and here's the transcript PDF.