No. A hearing assessment is completely painless and non-invasive. Nothing enters your ear beyond a set of headphones, and there is no discomfort at any point. All you need to do is listen and respond. Many people find it the easiest health check they will have all year.

Our privately funded hearing assessments are $200, or $150 with a Medicare rebate (a Medicare rebate requires a referral from your GP, ENT specialist or neurologist). If you hold a Pension Concession Card, your hearing assessment is free. Veterans and NDIS participants are also generally covered, and we will check your eligibility before your appointment so there are no surprises. You can also take our free online hearing assessment first, which takes only a few minutes and helps you decide whether a full assessment is worth booking. If you would like to confirm any costs before booking, call us on 1300 30 20 31.

An initial hearing assessment takes about 90 minutes. This gives us time to talk through your history, complete the assessment, explain your results on the day and discuss the next steps without rushing.

No. You can book a hearing assessment with us directly, without a referral. A referral is still worth having in some cases, because it may make you eligible for a Medicare rebate. Medicare and private health rebates may be available for some audiology services: If you have a referral from a GP, ENT specialist or neurologist dated within three months of your appointment, you may be eligible to claim a Medicare rebate of approximately $50 for a hearing assessment. A Medicare rebate of approximately $50 may also apply if your GP has included an audiology consultation in an Enhanced Primary Care Plan. For private health insurance, we recommend contacting your insurer before your appointment to confirm whether your policy includes benefits for hearing assessments, hearing aids or other audiology services. Eligible pension card holders may have their appointment costs covered through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. Please note that wax removal and tinnitus management appointments are not covered under this program. If your GP or ENT specialist has referred you, we will report back to them so your care stays joined up. GPs and medical professionals can find our referral form on the make a referral page.

Several, and most people qualify for more than they expect. The main pathways are: Hearing Services Program (HSP). The Australian Government program covers subsidised hearing assessments and hearing aids for eligible pensioners, veterans and their dependants, including a range of fully subsidised hearing aids and assistive listening devices. NDIS. We are a registered NDIS provider and support self-managed, plan-managed and NDIA-managed participants, including reports, quotes and documentation. Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). For DVA Gold Card holders, and White Card holders where hearing loss is an accepted condition. Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP). Hearing support may form part of your care plan. Hearing Aid Bank. Run with the Geelong Community Foundation for Geelong Shire residents who are experiencing financial hardship and are not eligible for government subsidies. WorkSafe. We are a registered WorkSafe provider for hearing assessments and hearing rehabilitation.

Our independence gives us the freedom to recommend what is genuinely right for you. We are not owned by a multinational hearing aid manufacturer, and we are not limited to promoting a particular brand or product range. Our clinicians do not receive manufacturer commissions and are not required to meet hearing aid sales targets. This means our recommendations are based on your hearing needs, lifestyle, communication goals and budget, not on what we need to sell. We can compare options across a broad range of manufacturers and may also recommend that you do not need a hearing device at all. As a not-for-profit organisation, any surplus we generate is reinvested into services and programs that support people who are Deaf and hard of hearing. It is independent hearing care, delivered with purpose.

Most people notice the effects of hearing loss long before they notice the hearing loss itself. Common signs include turning the television up louder than others prefer, struggling to follow conversation in cafes or restaurants while managing fine one-to-one, asking people to repeat themselves, or feeling drained after a day of listening. Hearing loss is usually gradual, which is exactly why it is easy to miss. A hearing assessment is the only way to know for certain, and the result may well be that you do not need a device at all.

A well-maintained hearing aid typically has a working life of around four to six years. How long yours lasts depends on the style, how well it is cared for, and whether your hearing changes enough to need a different level of technology. Regular servicing makes a real difference. We provide hearing aid maintenance, servicing, adjustments and repairs, including batteries, so your devices keep performing as they should. Explore the options on our hearing aids and devices page.

We fit, supply and service hearing aids from all leading manufacturers. As one of Victoria’s longest-established hearing care providers, we offer a broad range of options, from reliable entry-level devices to advanced technology featuring rechargeable batteries, Bluetooth streaming, automatic adjustment across different listening environments and discreet, near-invisible designs. Because we are fully independent and not aligned with any single manufacturer, our recommendations begin with your individual hearing needs, not a particular brand. We focus on finding the device that best addresses your listening challenges, lifestyle, preferences and budget.

Yes. We provide children’s hearing assessments from age six and upwards, available at all of our clinics. Each appointment includes a detailed case history and discussion with parents, hearing assessments tailored for school-aged children, an immediate explanation of the results, and clear guidance on the next steps, whether that is classroom support, hearing devices or a referral for medical care.

Tinnitus is the perception of a sound, often ringing, buzzing, hissing or whistling, with no external source. It is a symptom rather than a disease in itself, and it is frequently linked to hearing loss or noise exposure. Our tinnitus management is based on Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) and the neurophysiological model, and combines counselling, sound enrichment, relaxation and lifestyle strategies. The goal is habituation, meaning you become far less aware of the tinnitus and it loses its grip on your day. Management does not always remove the sound entirely, and progress is rarely a straight line, but it can substantially reduce the distress it causes. See our tinnitus management page for the full approach.

Yes. We offer ear wax microsuction, which is considered the gold standard in wax removal. Unlike syringing, it uses no water, which makes it cleaner, safer and better suited to people with hearing aids, previous ear infections or sensitive ears. Your appointment includes a visual check of the ear canal, a clear explanation of the process in Auslan or spoken English, gentle microsuction performed by a qualified audiologist, and aftercare advice to help prevent future build-up. If you wear hearing aids, we can clean and service them at the same visit. Learn more about ear wax microsuction.

Yes, and this is at the core of who we are. All of our clinics are Auslan-friendly and interpreters are available on request. Every clinician has at minimum basic Auslan skills, and some are more fluent, so if you would like to request a specific clinician please tell us when you book. Our audiologists and support staff are trained in Deaf culture, identity and communication styles. You can also book your appointment in Auslan by recording a video through our videomail service instead of filling in a form. More detail is on our Deaf-friendly audiology services page.

We have audiology clinics across Victoria. You can find every location, with full addresses and opening hours, on our audiology clinics page. We also visit clients in aged care facilities.

There are four ways to book, so you can choose whichever suits you: Book online through our online booking system, choosing your clinic, date and time. Record a video and book in Auslan, including your name and contact details. Call us on 1300 30 20 31. Send an SMS or FaceTime to 0402 217 586, or email audiology@expression.com.au. When you book with us, we check your eligibility for funding or rebates, explain your options clearly including what is fully covered and any upgrade costs, assist with paperwork and liaising with funding bodies, and support you long after the appointment itself.