Hearing conditions such as hearing loss and tinnitus often develop gradually. With early assessment and timely treatment, the impact of symptoms can often be reduced and the progression of the condition better managed.
That’s why the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) is improving access to treatment to support earlier assessment and evidence‑based care, so veterans with tinnitus can receive support that helps them manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Evidence shows that early intervention can make a real difference and can help to:
- improve daily functioning, including improved mental health and wellbeing
- reduce long term impairment
- prevent conditions from worsening, and
- deliver better outcomes and significantly improve long-term quality of life.
Tinnitus treatments are focused on helping people live well with the condition by reducing its impact on daily life. They support people to better manage symptoms, build effective coping strategies and continue everyday activities with greater comfort and confidence.
These are established, clinically tested treatments that are already helping many people manage tinnitus more effectively. They focus on practical, evidence‑based approaches such as symptom management, habituation, and improving sleep, concentration and emotional wellbeing.
DVA will also provide access to new and emerging treatments as clinical practice continues to evolve, ensuring veterans benefit from advances that improve quality of life.
To support improved access to treatment, DVA will refer veterans with an undetermined Permanent Impairment (PI) claim to Hearing Australia for a fully funded assessment and any clinically necessary treatment. This helps ensure veterans can access timely, clinically appropriate care while their condition is being assessed.
Hearing Australia is the largest provider of Australian Government‑funded hearing services, delivering specialist expertise, advice, assessment and treatment nationwide.
To ensure veterans receive the best possible care, relevant information will be shared with Hearing Australia at the time of referral.
Accessing assessment and treatment for tinnitus does not affect a veteran’s access to other DVA supports or entitlements, which continue as usual while treatment is underway.
When considering a PI claim, and whether a veteran’s impairment is likely to continue indefinitely under section 73 of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA), the Department must consider:
- the duration of the impairment
- the likelihood of improvement in the service related condition, and
- whether all reasonable rehabilitative treatment has been undertaken.
This arrangement with Hearing Australia supports this assessment while ensuring veterans receive timely, evidence based treatment for their condition.
Following completion of the assessment and initial treatment, Hearing Australia will provide a report to DVA — and to Defence where the veteran is still serving — outlining levels of impairment and recommendations for any future treatment.
The Australian Government has provided significant funding to expand preventive and rehabilitative treatment services, supporting recovery and reducing the risk of long term disability. Consistent with the findings of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, DVA is strengthening its focus on early intervention and prevention, recognising that wellbeing is an important protective factor against suicide.
Improving access to treatment helps veterans and serving members receive care earlier and supports them to lead healthy, productive lives.
Visit the DVA website: www.dva.gov.au/what-we-help-with/health-support/improving-wellbeing-through-increased-access-to-treatment for more information about improved access to treatment, or phone 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372)
Need support?
If you need someone to talk to, confidential support is available through Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling Service. Open Arms is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day for current and ex serving ADF members and their families.
Call 1800 011 046 or visit www.OpenArms.gov.au.