Welcome to Hearing Direct
On average, people wait seven years before getting assistance for their hearing. Why wait? Better hearing is closer than you think. Hearing Direct can assess your hearing and help find the best solution to suit your communication needs, lifestyle and budget.
Hearing Direct is independently owned with clinics located in Green Bay and Birkenhead. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff consists of fully qualified MNZAS Audiologists and Hearing Aid Dispensers who are specialists in the hearing field.Book a FREE Hearing Check today
________________________
Latest News: Get $1000 off your next pair of hearing aids!
Do I have a hearing loss?
>> Do many people you talk to seem to
mumble or not speak clearly?
>> Do people complain that you turn the
TV volume up too high?
>> Do you have difficulty hearing in noisy
situations?
>> Do you misunderstand what others
are saying and respond inappropriately?
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are smaller and more comfortable than ever before. View the latest state of the art hearing aid technology.
Hearing loss is a problem that can develop at any time. In most cases, it is gradual and painless. Because hearing loss tends to develop slowly, it can take several years before people realise it is affecting them. In fact, on average, people wait seven years before seeking help with their hearing. Recent studies indicate that 30% of people over the age of 60 have a hearing loss and that the vast majority of these hearing losses could be successfully treated with hearing aids.
There are numerous state-of-the-art hearing instruments available in different styles, features, and cosmetic solutions that can significantly enhance your daily life without hindering your individual lifestyle.
The place where hearing instruments are worn is the simplest way of categorising the different types. Basically, hearing instruments are worn in the ear, or behind the ear.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) – open fitting: The main section of this hearing aid is hidden behind your ear and connected to a thin tube that fits in the ear canal. Open fittings are more comfortable for most people as they don't require a traditional ear mould. They are only suitable for certain hearing losses, but the advantages include sound quality and comfort.
Receiver-in-canal (RIC): RIC fittings look quite similar to the open fittings but the speaker is placed within the ear canal. This style is smaller, lighter, and more inconspicuous.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) – closed fitting: The main section of this hearing aid is hidden behind your ear and is connected to a custom-fit ear mould that seals off the ear canal. Closed fittings are suitable for most types of hearing loss from mild to profound. They come in a variety of sizes from miniature-BTEs to the larger power instruments.
In-the-ear (ITE): Custom (ITE) hearing instruments are used for mild to severe hearing loss. Custom instruments sit entirely within the ear and are fitted individually based on an impression of the wearer's ear.
>> Do you misunderstand what others are
saying and respond inappropriately?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, there is a chance that you may have some degree of hearing loss. We recommend you to have a hearing test or aFREE Hearing Check. We can then discuss the best solution to fit your degree of hearing loss and lifestyle needs.
Find out if you are eligible for partial
or full funding of your hearing aids here
Hearing Direct is independently owned with clinics located in Green Bay and Birkenhead. Ourfriendly and knowledgeable staffconsist of a fully qualified MNZAS Audiologist and Hearing Aid Dispenser who are specialists in the hearing field. Hearing Direct is an accredited ACC service provider.
FREE Hearing Check
A brief test of your hearing sensitivity at different frequencies to determine the need for further testing.
Full Diagnostic Hearing Assessment
A thorough evaluation of your hearing that takes approximately 45 minutes. During this assessment we will test your hearing sensitivity at different frequencies (air and bone conduction), your speech discrimination and ear drum movement. We will also do a visual inspection of your ear canal and ear drum. Once testing is complete the results will be explained clearly to you. During this appointment, we are also happy to discuss different treatment and funding options.
FREE Hearing Aid Consultation
Hearing Direct fit the world's leading brand hearing aids. Provided you have had a recent hearing assessment, we are happy to discuss which type of hearing aid would best suit your communication needs, lifestyle and budget. We are also happy to discuss different funding options with you and select the option that is best suited to your circumstances.
Hearing Aid Maintenance and Repairs
Hearing Direct can arrange repairs by most hearing aid manufacturers.
Custom Made Ear Plugs and Swim Plugs
If you have a hearing loss and require hearing aids you may be eligible for partial or full funding of your hearing aids. At Hearing Direct we are happy to discuss these different funding options with you and select the option that is best suited to your circumstances.
Listed below are the types of funding currently available in New Zealand.
SuperGold Card
SuperGold card holders (65 and over) are entitled to a total subsidy of $1000 with the purchase of two hearing aids. This subsidy is available to individuals every 5 years. Hearing Direct also offers all SuperGold card holders a 12 month supply of batteries FREE with the purchase of new hearing aids. To find out if you are eligible for a SuperGold Card visit SuperGold Website.
ACC
Assessment for ACC eligibility begins with a hearing test. Individuals may be eligible for ACC funding if they have lost their hearing through:
•Long term noise exposure at work
•Exposure to a sudden loud noise
•Physical damage to the hearing system through an accident
ACC funding covers the cost of the hearing aids and the costs associated with maintaining the hearing aids.
If an individual believes they may have a hearing loss associated with noise exposure they are encouraged to act now and have their hearing assessed by an MNZAS Audiologist at Hearing Direct. If left too late then it may be difficult to prove that the hearing loss was caused by noise exposure alone, rather than a natural deterioration over time with age. Visit the ACC Website for additional information on the ACC claims process.
Veterans' Affairs NZ
War Pensions Scheme Individuals exposed to noise during their military service may be eligible for funding of hearing aids. Eligibility depends on a number of factors, including whether the person receives a War Pension, and the degree of any assessed disability. Individuals who believe they may be eligible for hearing aids through the War Pension system should have their hearing assessed by an MNZAS Audiologist at Hearing Direct.
Accessable
Accessable NZ provide funding of hearing aids for adults with a Community Services Card who are working, studying, doing voluntary work or caring for a dependent person/child. Funding is also available for adults with complex needs (hearing loss since childhood, sudden hearing loss or dual disability). The application to Accessable is made by an MNZAS Audiologist and requires a hearing assessment.
Universal Hearing Aid Subsidy
All adult patients who purchase a hearing aid and do not receive a GoldCard Subsidy or funding through the ACC, Accessable or War Pensions are eligible for a Universal Hearing Aid Subsidy. The subsidy is currently set at $500 per hearing aid and is available to individuals every 6 years. The subsidy is applied to each hearing aid purchased and so a total subsidy of $1000 is applied to the purchase of two hearing aids.
Work and Income NZ
Beneficiaries may be eligible to receive an interest-free loan (typically up to $1000). This can be used in conjunction with the SuperGold Card or Universal Hearing Aid subsidy.
Birkenhead Clinic
Green Bay Clinic
Tel:
(09) 4180284
(09) 8274457
Fax:
(09) 4180285
(09) 8274452
Address:
27 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead
North Shore, Auckland
64A Godley Road, Green Bay
Waitakere City, Auckland
Email:
hearingdirectbirkenhead_xtra.co.nz
hearingdirectltd_xtra.co.nz
Judy Voerman
Office Manager
Ian Spargo
Audiometrist & Director
Melissa Bult
Receptionist
Melanie Ibbotson
Audiologist
Melanie graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Master of Audiology (distinction) in 2007. After graduating, Melanie spent two years in Christchurch where she worked as an Audiologist for Christchurch Hospital and a private audiology clinic. During this time Melanie provided a wide range of diagnostic and rehabilitative hearing services for adults and children.
Melanie is a full member of the New Zealand Audiological Society (MNZAS) and is a registered ACC service provider.
To book a FREE Hearing Screen with one of our qualified clinicians, please either:
Phone 0800 007 500
Or alternatively complete the form below and click send.
Name:
Email address:
Phone number:
Message:
