This journal entry is a personal one for me to write and share, but I feel that attention must be brought to this difficult topic.
My father, William Kyle Sr. served in the United States Army; he was a career soldier and a World War II veteran. Like many who served their country my father’s hearing suffered due to extensive exposure to noise trauma. When my father passed away, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honours. On a recent trip to my homeland, America, I was fortunate to be able to visit his grave with my son and grandson. This emotional visit highlighted to me importance of this post; our veterans need to be treated with the respect and dignity that they have earned and deserve.
All too often I hear stories of veterans being ‘rip off’ by hearing clinics and this needs to stop. In a blatant attempt to get sales our service people are not being told of their entitlements, or they are up sold (also referred to as a ‘top-up’) expensive hearing aids they simply don’t need. You see, the Commonwealth Government has a scheme for our veterans which includes assistance for hearing loss.
Some people in the hearing industry will tell you this never happens or is very rare, but sadly I see it almost weekly. Veterans who have been sold hearing aids or quoted for devices that cost between $5,000 to $15,000 with no mention of their entitlements; this greed must stop.
In conclusion, if you or a loved one has experienced this, please report it. You can do so by contacting the Office of Hearing Services on 1800 500 726 or emailing hearing@health.gov.au, if you would like to check your eligibility for the program you can visit this link Office of Hearing Services
Alternatively you can contact our office on 6282 2717, and we will happily check your eligibility for you.