Hearing loss is one of the most common service-related conditions among Australian veterans. The combination of weapon noise, aircraft, heavy vehicles, and explosive blasts means that many former ADF members deal with hearing loss, tinnitus, or both, often years after they have left service.
The good news is that significant support is available.
Through the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) and the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP), eligible veterans can access hearing assessments, hearing aids, tinnitus management, and assistive listening devices, often at no cost. The challenge is that the system can feel layered, and a lot of veterans either don’t know what they qualify for or aren’t sure how to start.
This guide explains the main DVA hearing services available to veterans in Australia, who are eligible, and how to access what you are entitled to.
Why Hearing Loss is Common Among Veterans
Hearing loss from military service is well-recognised. ADF noise-induced hearing loss usually results from prolonged exposure to high-decibel sounds, like small arms fire, artillery, jet engines, helicopters, armoured vehicles, and blast injuries. The damage is often gradual and may not become obvious until years after discharge. Tinnitus often comes with it. It is the persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears
Combat-related hearing damage is also one of the most commonly accepted service-related conditions through DVA. If you served in the ADF and are noticing hearing difficulties, the link to your service is often straightforward to establish.
Who Is Eligible for DVA Hearing Services?
Eligibility for DVA-funded hearing services depends on the card you hold and the conditions DVA has accepted as related to your service. In general, you may be eligible if you are:
- A DVA Gold Card holder — fully covered for all clinically required treatments, including hearing
- A DVA White Card holder — covered for hearing services if hearing loss or tinnitus is an accepted service-related condition
- An eligible pensioner — through the Hearing Services Program (HSP), separate from DVA
If you are not sure whether your hearing loss has been accepted as service-related, an audiologist can assist with the clinical documentation that supports a claim.
Our blog on understanding hearing loss for veterans walks through how the conversation usually goes.
What’s Covered Under DVA Hearing Services
Once eligibility is confirmed, the range of support available is broad. Through DVA and the HSP, eligible veterans can access:
| Service or Item | What’s Covered |
| Hearing assessments | Comprehensive hearing tests with an accredited audiologist |
| Hearing aids | Fully subsidised devices, or a top-up range for added features |
| Hearing aid maintenance | Batteries, repairs, servicing, and annual maintenance |
| Tinnitus management | Assessment and treatment options for service-related tinnitus |
| Assistive listening devices | TV streamers, remote microphones, alerting systems |
| Replacement devices | New hearing aids as needed, generally every 5 years |
| Training and follow-up | Fitting appointments, adjustments, and ongoing support |
Higher-end hearing aids with features beyond the fully subsidised range may involve a top-up fee, but providers must give you a full quote upfront so there are no surprises.
Our overview of services covered under HSP for pensioners and veterans goes into more detail on what’s funded.
Free Hearing Aids for Veterans Australia: How It Works
If you’re not aware, the HSP also offers free hearing aids for veterans in Australia, in partnership with DVA. Once you’ve confirmed your eligibility, the process is straightforward:
- Confirm eligibility — check whether you hold a DVA Gold or White Card and whether hearing loss is an accepted condition
- Book with an accredited HSP provider — Audience Hearing is one of many accredited clinics in NSW
- Have a full hearing assessment — including pure tone audiometry, speech testing, and tinnitus screening if relevant
- Discuss device options — your audiologist will walk you through fully subsidised devices and any top-up options
- Fitting and follow-up — devices are fitted and adjusted, with ongoing support funded under the program
There is no out-of-pocket cost for fully subsidised devices. Top-up fees only apply if you choose a higher-spec hearing aid than the funded range covers.
Tinnitus Support for Veterans
Tinnitus is one of the most commonly reported service-related conditions, and it can have a significant impact on sleep, concentration, and quality of life. For veterans whose tinnitus is accepted as service-related, DVA covers tinnitus assessment and management as part of your hearing entitlements.
Treatment can include hearing aids with built-in tinnitus masking, sound therapy devices, and counselling-based approaches, such as Tinnitus Retraining Therapy. There is no single cure for tinnitus, but a range of management options can make it significantly more manageable.
Assistive Listening Devices Through DVA
Beyond hearing aids, DVA’s Rehabilitation Appliances Program covers a range of assistive listening devices for Gold and White Card holders with a clinical need. These include:
- TV streamers and headphones for clearer audio without disturbing others
- Remote microphones for restaurants, meetings, or one-on-one conversations
- Bluetooth streamers that connect to phones and other devices
- Alerting systems for doorbells, phones, and smoke alarms
Assistive listening devices work alongside hearing aids and often make the biggest difference in the specific situations that hearing aids alone can’t fully solve.
How to Access Your Entitlements
The most common reason veterans don’t access what they are entitled to is the assumption that the process is complicated. In practice, it is not. The starting point is a hearing assessment with an accredited provider, who can:
- Confirm whether hearing services would help
- Provide the audiology documentation needed for a DVA claim
- Liaise with DVA on your behalf
- Recommend devices and management options within your entitlement
You do not need a GP referral for a hearing test. You can also find the official information on your hearing entitlements at the DVA website.
Honour Your Service With Better Hearing
The hearing damage that comes from military service is something Australia recognises and supports through DVA and the Hearing Services Program. Whether it is a long-overdue hearing test, a fresh pair of hearing aids, tinnitus support, or an assistive listening device that finally makes watching TV with the family enjoyable again, the support is there for veterans who served.
If you are a veteran, a Gold or White Card holder, or you’re not sure whether your hearing loss might be service-related, we can help you find out. Audience Hearing offers assistance to veterans and pensioners for hearing solutions.
Book an appointment with our team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What DVA hearing services are available for veterans?
DVA funds a range of hearing services for eligible veterans, including hearing assessments, hearing aids, tinnitus management, assistive listening devices, repairs, batteries, and ongoing support. Coverage depends on whether you hold a Gold or White Card and whether hearing loss is an accepted condition.
2. Are hearing aids free for veterans in Australia?
Yes, eligible veterans can access fully subsidised hearing aids through the Hearing Services Program in partnership with DVA. Higher-spec models may involve an optional top-up fee, but a fully funded range is always available.
3. How do I know if I’m eligible for DVA hearing services?
You may be eligible if you hold a DVA Gold Card or a White Card with hearing loss accepted as a service-related condition. An accredited audiologist can confirm your eligibility and assist with the documentation needed for a claim.
4. Can I claim hearing loss compensation through DVA?
Yes. If your hearing loss is linked to your ADF service, you may be able to claim through DVA. The process involves clinical documentation from an audiologist and lodging a claim with DVA, which assesses it under the relevant scheme (DRCA, MRCA, or VEA).
5. What about tinnitus from military service?
Tinnitus is recognised by DVA as a service-related condition for many veterans. If accepted, tinnitus assessment and management, including hearing aids with tinnitus features and other devices, are covered under your entitlements.
6. Do I need a referral to book a hearing test as a veteran?
No. You can book directly with an accredited HSP and DVA provider. Bring your DVA card if you have one.
7. How do I book hearing services as a veteran at Audience Hearing?
You can book directly through our clinic at Audience Hearing contact page. Our team is an accredited HSP and DVA provider and can guide you through eligibility, assessment, and accessing your entitlements.
