A practical guide to help you choose the right hearing care pathway for your client.
This page gives you a clear overview of how Country Hearing Care can support your client, when to refer, and which pathway may be most appropriate.
This overview is designed to help you quickly identify the most suitable option for your client.
| Service area | When to consider | What clients can expect | Referral notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Hearing Assessment | Adults noticing hearing change, communication difficulty, tinnitus, noise history or family concern. | Diagnostic assessment, results discussion and recommended next steps. | Age-appropriate paediatric hearing assessment and advice. |
| Children’s Hearing Assessment | Concerns about hearing, speech, development, behaviour, school readiness or ear infections. | Age-appropriate paediatric hearing assessment and advice. | A referral may attract a Medicare rebate but isn’t required to book. |
| Pensioner and Veteran Assessments | Clients who may be eligible under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program or DVA pathways. | Eligibility guidance, assessment, device options and ongoing support where eligible. | We can help clients understand enrolment and access options. |
| Hearing Aid Assessment and Trials | Clients with a confirmed hearing loss who may benefit from amplification or updated technology. | Needs discussion, technology options, trial, fitting and follow-up. | We provide independent guidance and are not limited to one hearing aid manufacturer. |
| Tinnitus Management | Clients experiencing ringing, buzzing, rushing or intrusive sound. | Assessment, explanation, management strategies and hearing solution guidance where relevant. | Medical review may be appropriate where symptoms suggest other health concerns. |
| Earwax Management and Removal | Clients with blocked ears, discomfort, hearing aid whistling, muffled hearing or wax affecting testing. | Ear check and wax management where clinically appropriate. | Wax management may not always result in removal and is not a substitute for medical care where needed. |
| Industrial and Occupational Hearing Checks | Workers or businesses needing hearing checks related to noise exposure, monitoring, or workplace requirements. | Clinic-based or workplace hearing checks, reporting and recommendations. | Service format depends on workplace needs, location and required reporting. |
| Custom Earplugs | Clients needing protection for noise, sleep, swimming, music, motorsport, or workplace exposure. | Ear impressions, fitting and care instructions for custom options. | Referral is generally not required. |
| Cochlear Program | Clients who continue to struggle with hearing aids or may need an implant pathway discussion. | Assessment support, referral guidance, activation, mapping and ongoing cochlear care where appropriate. | Suitability is assessed clinically and may involve ENT or specialist pathway referral. |
| Visiting Clinics and Telehealth Follow-up | Clients in regional areas who may benefit from visiting clinic access or follow-up support. | Care through visiting locations and clinician-led telehealth follow-up where clinically appropriate. | Telehealth suitability should be discussed with the clinician as part of ongoing care planning. |
We can help your client understand eligibility for a range of funding pathways. This can include pensioner or veteran programs, cochlear pathways, regional access options, and Australian Government Hearing Services (HSP) Program support where eligibility criteria are met.
If you are referring into a public hospital paediatric or diagnostic audiology pathway, please use the Referral Pathways page, as hospital eligibility, triage and booking processes apply.
We take a careful history, check ear health and complete the appropriate hearing assessment or service appointment.
We explain results clearly so the client understands what was found and what it may mean.
We guide next steps, which may include monitoring, hearing aids, tinnitus support, earwax management, medical referral, or pathway guidance.
Where ongoing care is needed, we provide follow-up, maintenance, device support, and practical advice.
If you would like guidance on the most appropriate referral option for your client, contact Country Hearing Care.
