I wish you better luck than I had when my husband finally gave in and went for a hearing test. I won't bore you with all the details, but will say he selected the most expensive one the hearing specialist had. This special order took a little while to arrive and we both went for him to be fitted. When we were in the car, he said, "goodness me, every noise is so clear!" I couldn't have been happier as I had lived for years having to repeat every word I said. That evening as we were watching TV I left the sound level completely up to him. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him taking it out and playing with it. I did mention that the specialist had insisted not to do that, but why should I think he would listen to him?? From that first evening which is now 4yrs ago, it has never been back in his ear. I know every 6 or so months, he is called in to have it checked and off he goes or so he says and I've never seen it in his ear since!

Thank goodness it doesn't bother me anymore as he moved out to be on his own at the age of 90!

Didnt I already post any of the Hearing clinics in the yellow pages will be able to help you with form to get voucher for free hearing test for pensioners.It does involve filling in the form and I think a visit to doctor to sign off on it then send it in and get back voucher good for 2 years.

But be aware the first level of free hearing aid was cancelled by Julia Gillard in 2011 saying that it wasnt being used, got left in drawers so a waste of money was the excuse.

Seems that didnt have to go in the Budget like cutting out cataract surgery for pensioners did and that was blocked by that awful lot Fwed says wont help pensioners at all - you know the Coalition. Funny that eh.

Sheila You can get hearing aids if you are on a pension from Australian Hearing Services or a private audiologist.  The basic hearing aids for pensioners can be upgraded if you have the finances to do it.

The main thing is if you get them you need to use them all your waking time.  You get no benefit if you take them in and out as your brain does not adjust to them. At first everything sounds loud, but after wearing them all day for a few days gradually the unwanted noise is screened out.  To get benefit from them you need to perservere, not just pull them out and use them occasionally. If you are going to do that, best not to bother with them. 

If you use them correctly after a while you find that you do not even notice them.  Most people do not perservere and thus it is a waste of time and government money to bother getting them.  I have used them for years and found them no problem at all. I put them in in the morning and take them out last thing at night and I get the full benefit.

All the best, but remember, perservere. Like anything they are strange at first, but become just a part of life in a short time of constant use.

I went for a free hearing test and was treated very well, I was allso told I was entitled to any hearing device I needed. Fortunately it is only a slight hearing loss but they are sending me to an Audiologist for further. This programme does not appear to have been axed, but who knows what is next to go on the Seniors entitlements.

Thank you all for your help.

If anyone is still interested i found this great discount on the Hearing Life Facebook page! They are giving a 15% discount on hearing aids here is the link: 

http://apps.facebook.com/hl_coupon