Audiology is the study of hearing, hearing disorders, and habilitation/rehabilitation for individuals who have hearing loss. It encompasses the study of how the hearing mechanism works; the assessment of hearing; hearing and listening disorders; and the rehabilitation of individuals who have hearing loss. 

Audiologists are health care and education professionals who identify, assess, and manage disorders of the auditory system. Audiologists provide audiological rehabilitation to children and adults of all ages. Audiologists select, fit, and dispense amplification systems such as hearing aids and related devices. Audiologists prevent hearing loss through the provision and fitting of hearing protective devices, consultation on the effects of noise on hearing, and consumer education.

If you have an appointment with the Audiology service located at Manukau SuperClinic, you may be seen by one of the following Audiologists and/or Audiometrists:

Audiologists: 

• Louise Dickinson MA (Hons), MAud (Hons), MNZAS
• Diana Tu’inukuafe, MSc (Hons), Dip Aud, MNZAS
• Joanna Wallace MAud  (Hons) MNZAS
• Evan Lim BSc  MAud
• Verushka Pillay MAud (Hons)
• Joyce Au MAud MNZAS
• Iris Shin MAud

Audiometrist:

• Saleshni Devi

Referrals are accepted for children ages newborn right through to school leavers. Referrals are graded from priority 1 though to 3. High priority is given if there are significant concerns for the hearing of your child, if there is a family history of hearing loss, if they have had illness (e.g. meningitis) or trauma where hearing could be affected. Children will also be seen if there are concerns for their speech and language development, if your child is developmentally delayed, or if your child has preauricular pits/tags.

Adult referrals are accepted for hearing assessments. For adults requiring hearing aids, referrals are not accepted currently unless the patient has a moderate degree of hearing loss or worse in the better hearing ear.

COST OF HEARING AIDS

ADULTS

Government Hearing Aid Subsidy  is available to all New Zealand residents who do not qualify for any other source of funding. The subsidy is $511.11 for one hearing aid and $1022.22 for two hearing aids inclusive of GST.

Accessable Environmental Health Management Services. Patients may be eligible for fully funded hearing aids if they have:

• had severe long-term hearing loss since childhood or
• had onset of sudden and severe hearing loss during adulthood or
• a dual disability (such as deaf/blind or hearing loss and an intellectual disability).

Other adults who are working more than 30 hours per week or studying full time or doing voluntary work more than 20 hours a week or caring for a dependent person full-time can get fully funded hearing aids if they have a Community Services Card.

Work and Income (WINZ) may provide a recoverable loan for those receiving a benefit.The amount is approved by the individual case manager.

War Pensions is a source of funding for people who served in the New Zealand Armed Forces.

Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC)  provides support for individuals whose hearing loss is due to an accident or noise exposure as diagnosed by an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist. If you wish to launch an ACC claim for hearing loss, you will need to go to your GP who will launch the claim.


CHILDREN

Hearing aids for children are funded through the Children's Hearing Aid Fund. There is no cost to the families, however we ask that equipment is covered by insurance.

Websites

National Foundation For the Deaf (NFD)

New Zealand Audiological Society (NZAS)

Hearing Association of NZ