2 May 2018 

Government reforms to make Private Health

Insurance simpler and more affordable
But one planned change means people who don’t have a top
tier policy may no longer be covered for cochlear implantation
and replacement sound processors.

Blocked ear could be a medical emergency

If you are healthy and one ear suddenly feels blocked, regard
it as a medical emergency.

He can see every part of the photographs he

takes
But he sees with his hands. This photographer was born deaf
and with limited eyesight.

Information for NDIS Participants

If you are a participant in the National Disability Insurance
Scheme your NDIS Planner may refer you to the Hearing
Services Program to receive certain hearing services and
devices until mid-2019.

20th Libby Harricks Memorial Oration

Presented by human rights practitioner for more than thirty
years, Dr Graeme Innes AM.
Watch it ‘live’ on the internet, or be part of the audience
Sunday 20 May 2018
6:00pm - 7:30pm
Darling Harbour Sydney

We  acknowledge  the  traditional  custodians  of  the  land,  community,  sea,  and  waters  where  we  live  and  work.   We  pay  our  respect  to 
elders past, present and future and value the contributions Indigenous Australians make in our society.  We acknowledge the challenge for 
Indigenous leaders and families to overcome the unacceptably high levels of ear health issues among first Australians. 
Changes to Private Health Insurance
The Federal Government will introduce changes to make Private Health Insurance simpler and
more affordable.

The Government set up a Taskforce to work out the detail of these reforms. This Taskforce has
finished its investigation. Among the recommendations is a proposed change that could reduce
people’s access to implanted devices for hearing loss surgery.

What is being proposed?

From April 2019, all hospital treatment policies will be categorised into four groups - Basic,
Bronze, Silver and Gold - with Gold being the expensive policy covering the greatest number of
procedures.

Each category will have minimum requirements for cover that must be included. They will also
have to use standardised definitions for treatment to make it clear what is and what isn’t covered
in policies.

The Taskforce has released a report on what it reckons should be the minimum coverage in each
of the four categories. It recommends that Implanted devices for hearing loss surgery will only
be covered by the Gold (top tier) category. This would mean people who don’t have a top tier
policy may no longer be covered for cochlear implantation and replacement sound processors.

What are we doing?

Deafness Forum of Australia, and other organisations and individuals in the sector, have written to
the Taskforce strongly opposing this proposal. We will provide updates in upcoming issues of One
in Six.

What can you do?

The Federal Labor Opposition is also looking at the affordability of private health insurance. The
Opposition has launched a national survey as the first stage of a consultation process on private
health insurance costs. If you would like to have your say, visit www.peoplenotprofits.org.au
Beware a blocked ear - it could be a medical emergency
by Jill Margo for The Financial Review

If you are healthy and "out of the blue" one ear suddenly feels blocked, regard it as a medical
emergency. That's the message in the Medical Journal of Australia Insight.

A blocked or full sensation can be a forerunner of hearing loss or tinnitus in that ear, unless
treated swiftly. The feeling of an ear being clogged is a common complaint made to GPs or
hospital emergency departments, said Professor Peter Friedland, Head of Clinical Research at the
Ear Science Institute Australia and an ENT consultant at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth.

"Unfortunately, there is a general ignorance of this condition, which presents 'out of the blue' in
90 per cent of cases in completely well and healthy individuals. Simple high-dose steroids for
10 to 14 days or until a diagnosis is confirmed will give most patients a greater chance of a
recovery. The potential benefits of restoring hearing far outweigh the risk of side effects from
what may be an unnecessary dose of steroids."

For sudden nerve loss, he says, antibiotics, decongestants, antihistamines and ear-drops are
totally ineffective.

Friedland says the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders in the US
estimates this nerve loss strikes one in 5000 people. While the number has not been measured in
Australia, he believes the US incidence can be roughly extrapolated.

http://www.afr.com/business/health/beware-a-blocked-ear--it-could-be-a-medical-emergency-20180430-h0zfxw
The blind, deaf photographer opening exhibitions around
the world with photos you can see with your hands
By Sophie Meixner for ABC Tropical North

Brenden Borellini can see every part of the photographs he takes, from the ridges of a
mountain in Yosemite National Park to a wave splashing against a rock at his local
beach.

But he does not see them with his eyes. He sees them with his hands.

The photographer was born deaf and with limited eyesight which soon developed into blindness.
He communicates via finger spelling, a form of sign language where words and letters are traced
onto hands, as well as the deaflblind alphabet and a braille converter on his computer.

Four years ago Mr Borellini started working with Crossroad Arts in Mackay, a group developed to
provide access to the arts for people with a disability. Noticing his heightened sensitivity to touch,
they handed him a camera. And Mr Borellini started snapping.

"I usually take my time and feel the surroundings, get an idea of what the shot will be," he said.

"I use sunlight as well to work out the best angle."

He sits the camera on his forehead, instead of his eyes, for better stability and comfort.

"I usually take a series of six shots, but the techniques vary depending on where we are and what
we're shooting," Mr Borellini said.

"In this case I was shooting landscapes but if it was people then it would be very different."
His helper will then give him technical feedback on the photos taken, and the process repeats.
Assistant Matt Tandy said by the end of a trip Brenden would be operating largely independently.

"It only takes him a couple of hours on site or in an area to figure out what the landscapes are
like and then he's fine, he does it all," Mr Tandy said.

The novel techniques Brenden uses to capture images extend into post-production, where he
creates a special tactile print enabling all viewers to experience the work regardless of sight.

The photos are converted to black and white to increase the contrast, and then printed onto a
special resin paper which is run through a heating machine. The machine raises all the dark
elements in the image to create a 3D photograph which can be seen in the traditional sense as
well as seen through touch.

"There [are] works in colour as well as in 3D so people can feel the images," Mr Borellini said.

Mr Borellini has taken this special technique all over the world, with photoshoots in the tsunami-
affected Miyagi prefecture of Japan and a tour of several national parks in the United States. His
latest exhibition, Dancing with Ansel, features photos of Yosemite National Park in California and
Monument Valley and Antelope Cave in Arizona.
Presidential moves at BHA Victoria
The president of Better Hearing Australia Victoria Georgie Stayches has stepped down from the
board after 4 years with the board, the past two and half years as President.

Ms Stayches announced her decision at BHA Victoria’s recent annual

general meeting.

“I am no longer in a position to dedicate the time and energy to the

role, which it requires, particularly as my business grows and travel
is increasingly required,” she said.

“Better Hearing Australia VIC will always have a special place in my

life and I look forward to continuing to support the organisation and
strongly believe in its place in the community.”

Kim Turudia has taken on the role of President, supported by James Caws as Vice President who
will also continue in his role as Secretary.

Ms Turudia joined the board in 2017 and brings with her a wealth of leadership and health
management skills, including her recent MBA with a focus on leading change. Her passion in the
primary care setting, particularly to improve the overall well-being of people, is realised through
her current role as Medical Services Manager at Deakin University.

The staff and volunteers are led by CEO, Athina Georgiou.

http://www.audiologyaustralia2018.asn.au/conference.html
 Watch it ‘live’ on the internet, or be part of the audience

Sunday 20 May 2018

6:00pm - 7:30pm
Darling Harbour Sydney

The 20th annual Libby Harricks Memorial Oration will be presented in 2018 by Dr Graeme Innes
AM. He has been a human rights practitioner for more than thirty years. He was a Commissioner
at the Australian Human Rights Commission, responsible for issues relating to disability, race and
human rights.

Watch the free video stream of the Oration at

https://webcast.gigtv.com.au/Mediasite/Play/984824b571ce437791f2303d9535ca711d

Free entry to the Oration - there is no need to register, just come along by 5.45pm to the
International Convention Centre, Darling Harbour Sydney. Room: Cockle Bay 1, Level 3

The Oration will be a key-note address during the Audiology Australia 2018 national conference in
Sydney. To see the full program for the Audiology Australia National Conference 2018,
visit http://www.audiologyaustralia2018.asn.au/conference.html If you have questions about the
Oration series, email Deafness Forum at hello@deafnessforum.org.au

The Libby Harricks Memorial Oration series honours the memory of the first President of Deafness
Forum of Australia. Since 1999, the series has raised awareness of key issues relating to hearing
loss and deafness.
Huey Lewis and The News cancelling 2018 shows due to
hearing loss
Huey Lewis & The News has cancelled its 2018 tour. Billboard magazine reported that the lead
singer, Lewis, said in the statement that he has lost most of his hearing due to an inner ear
disorder.

“Two and a half months ago, just before a show in

Dallas, I lost most my hearing,” Lewis said in the
note, posted on Twitter.

“Although I can still hear a little, one on one, and

on the phone, I can't hear music enough to sing.
The lower frequencies distort violently making it
impossible to find pitch. The doctors believe I
have Meniere’s Disease and have agreed that I
can't perform until I improve. Therefore the only
prudent thing to do is to cancel all future shows.
Needless to say, I feel horrible about this, and
wish to sincerely apologise to all the fans who’ve
already bought tickets and were planning to come
see us.”

By Kelcie Willis, Cox Media Group

Become a Deafness Forum member

If you enjoy One in Six and like the work we do, give a thought to becoming a member of
Deafness Forum.

Over a year ago we began the campaign to make hearing health and wellbeing a National Health
Priority in Australia. This caused a federal parliamentary inquiry that made recommendations to
the Government on what it should do to improve the lives of the people that Deafness Forum
represents. It was a significant success and a fantastic team effort. But we’re only half way
through our mission.

Membership income directly funds our activities on your behalf. And the bigger and more diverse
our membership, the more attention we get from political leaders.

For individuals, membership will cost $40 a year. Drop us a line to hello@deafnessforum.org.au
or download a membership form at http://deafnessforum.org.au/become-member-deafness-forum
Information for NDIS Participants
If you are a participant in the National Disability Insurance Scheme your NDIS Planner may refer
you to the Hearing Services Program to receive certain hearing services and devices until mid-
2019.

The program is administered by the Department of Health. The Department contracts

approximately 280 service providers to deliver fully subsidised hearing services and devices to
eligible clients.

More information about the program including what hearing services, supports and devices that
might be available to you, can be found on the program’s website under About the Hearing
Services Program

Identifying your hearing needs

If your NDIS Planner identifies that you need hearing services they may refer you to the program.
Even if you already wear hearing aids or you have had your hearing loss previously investigated,
you will still need to have your medical practitioner sign a medical certificate. The certificate will
certify that there are no medical reasons to prevent a hearing device being fitted through the
program.

Referral arrangements
Under 21 years of age
Your NDIS Planner will refer you directly to Australian Hearing - the Government’s sole provider of
hearing services to children and young adults under the Hearing Services Program. Please contact
Australian Hearing on 131 797 to arrange an appointment to discuss the management of your
hearing. Please ensure you take the referral with you to this appointment. NDIS participants
aged between 21 and 26 years of age can choose to receive their services from either Australian
Hearing or through any other Hearing Services Program contracted service provider.

21 to 65 years of age
Your NDIS Planner will refer you to the program by completing the Hearing Services NDIS
application form and emailing it to hearing@health.gov.au using their official NDIS email address;
along with your completed medical certificate.

Once your NDIS Planner has submitted the Hearing Services NDIS application form and the
medical certificate to the Department, you will be sent a welcome pack. After reading the pack
you can make an appointment with one of the contracted service providers listed.
Will I have any out-of-pocket expenses?
The program has a full suite of fully subsidised services and devices to meet most clinical needs.
However, you will need to pay a small contribution to the ongoing maintenance of your device.

If you are a DVA gold or white card holder, you are excluded from paying any maintenance costs
as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will pay this on your behalf.

Devices that are not fully subsidised through the program

If your contracted service provider believes a device from the partially subsidised listings would
enable you to better meet your goals. Your contracted service provider will need to send your
NDIS Planner a request, with supporting clinical evidence, seeking authorisation from the NDIS to
pay for the gap between the retail price and the program’s subsidised cost, and its ongoing
maintenance.

If the payment for the device and its ongoing maintenance are not authorised by the NDIS, but
you still wish to be fitted with it, you may choose to pay for the device yourself.

Your contracted service provider will be able to discuss these options with you in more detail.

The program’s client information booklet and consumer guidance factsheet can also help you to
make informed choices to achieve your hearing outcomes.

Information for voucher program clients who have transitioned to NDIS

Can I still receive voucher services through the program if I have
transitioned to the NDIS?
Yes. Once you have registered with the program and have been issued with a voucher number,
you will be eligible to continue to receive voucher services for three years from the date of
registration.

Does my NDIS Planner need to do anything?

Yes. For NDIS participants under 21 years of age, your NDIS Planner will give you a referral letter
outlining that you are now registered as an NDIS participant.

For NDIS participants aged between 21 and 65 years of age, your NDIS Planner will need to
complete the Hearing Services NDIS application form with you, as you must sign it. Your NDIS
Planner will then need to email it to hearing@health.gov.au using their official NDIS email
address.
Do I need to do anything?
Under 21 years of age
Yes. If you currently receive hearing services through Australian Hearing you will need to give
your practitioner the referral letter that your NDIS Planner gives you.

21 to 65 years of age
Yes. Work with your NDIS Planner to complete the Hearing Services NDIS application form as you
will need to sign this form.

Do I need a new medical certificate?

No, as you would have already submitted a medical certificate to the Department when you
became a program client.

Further Information
Information about how the NDIS affects the Hearing Services Program can be found in the
frequently asked questions factsheet.

Printable PDF NDIS Information for participants (PDF 76 KB)

Next Steps Medical Certificate
Next Steps NDIS application form
More Information Client Information Booklet

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