Hearing Services for the Whole Family

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Hearing Services for Adults

Mackay Hearing clinicians pride themselves on following the industry’s best practices in all services.

  • Full comprehensive hearing testing determines the degree and nature of your hearing levels (link to services-hearing tests page).

  • Hearing aids – trials, fittings, reviews and hearing aid repairs and servicing (link services-hearing devices page)

  • Cochlear implants – assessment, switch-on, management and reviews (link services-hearing devices page)

  • Bone conduction implants – assessment, switch-on, management and reviews (link services-hearing devices page)

  • Auditory training programs (link to services-auditory training page)

  • Tinnitus assessment, counselling and support (link to services-tinnitus page)

  • Commonwealth Government’s Hearing Services Program - Mackay Hearing is accredited to provide hearing services through the Commonwealth Government’s Hearing Services Program. Under this program, eligible pensioners and veterans can access free and subsidized hearing services through our clinic (link to services-subsidised services for pensioners and veterans page).

  • Medicare Rebates - Adults can self-refer or can be referred by their medical practitioner to access Medicare rebates (link to services-funding and insurance page).

  • Assessments for employment purposes e.g. Coal board medicals, commercial drivers’ license testing, aviation testing, work cover testing (link to services-hearing tests page).

  • Accurate testing is vital for prescribing the most appropriate rehabilitation plan and device options, if required (link to services-hearing aid fittings page).

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A young boy wearing red noise-canceling headphones plays Connect Four with a smiling woman in a black shirt, who is helping him.

Hearing Services for Children

Mackay Hearing has the experience and equipment to test all ages of development from infancy. We are skilled at helping identify and manage a temporary hearing loss caused by outer or middle ear dysfunction.

  • Medicare Rebates - Parents can self-refer their infant/child or they can be referred by their medical practitioner to access Medicare rebates (link to services-funding and insurance page).

  • Hearing Loss Symptoms - Please see our information on common hearing loss symptoms and hearing, speech and language milestones to help identify the need for a hearing test (link hearing loss-children’s hearing milestones page).

  • Accurate testing is vital for ensuring infants and children are developing and learning to their full potential (link to Services-Hearing Tests page).

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Auditory Processing Disorder

Auditory processing is what our brain does with what our ears hear. Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) describes a breakdown in the hearing process whereby our brain cannot make sense of what our ears hear, because the auditory signal is distorted in some way, leading to persistent challenges in daily life.

People with APD struggle to comprehend information that is highly detailed, is delivered quickly or in a noisy environment because they haven’t developed the ability to separate speech from noise and focus on sounds but suppress noise.

A routine audiological test will not diagnose APD as results may appear normal. An APD evaluation can pinpoint the APD categories that require strengthening and a personalized treatment plan can be developed.

While APD is not curable, it is treatable. By participating in auditory training programs, it can significantly improve a person’s ability to process auditory information (link to AP page). Treatment for APD can enhance auditory processing and quality of life. It aids children in catching up with peers and staying focused in class, while adults benefit in academics, careers and psychosocial development.

A healthcare worker with a headlamp administering a vaccine to elderly woman with white hair and a white eyelet blouse, both smiling.

Ear Wax Removal

If you experience any of these symptoms, you may have a buildup of ear wax:

  • Hearing loss

  • Whistling when wearing hearing devices

  • Feeling fullness, itchiness or pain

  • Tinnitus

We can remove excess wax using several safe and effective methods, tailored to your needs.

  • Curettage involves using a curette to gently pull ear wax from the ear canal.

  • Microsuction is one of the most advanced and effective forms of ear wax removal. A thin tube is safely inserted into the ear canal and ear wax is removed via suction. With this method, the ear is kept dry throughout the procedure making it easy and safe to perform.

  • We recommend using a wax softening drop at home prior to your wax removal appointment. This will help to soften the wax, making it easier to remove.

  • Information on the dos and don’ts of ear wax and wax management is shared.

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Custom Ear Protection

The best way to save your hearing is to protect it! Mackay Hearing can provide expert recommendations for the best preventative earcare solution tailored to your needs. All custom-made earplugs are made of soft, medical-grade silicone.

  • Noise Plugs – class 5 hearing protection for employment, musicians, shooting, motorsport and industry noise levels (can include filters that block hazardous noise but enable speech and music to be heard)

  • Swim Plugs and Earwraps help to keep water out of your ears and prevent infections.

  • Sleep Plugs provides a secure and comfortable fitting earplug for a peaceful night’s sleep.

  • Custom in ear monitors

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Person wearing headphones sitting in front of a television, with speakers on either side, watching TV.

Assistive Technology

Mackay Hearing are pleased to offer a range of technology that will help people who wear hearing aids or have a cochlea implant or perhaps don’t wear hearing aids but require assistance in specific situations.

We pride ourselves on sourcing the best products available tailored to your specific needs:

  • TV headphones

  • Alerting systems, including smoke alarm, doorbells, baby monitors

  • Amplified stethoscopes

  • Alarm clocks

  • Microphones and earpieces to use over distance (e.g. classroom systems)

  • Over the counter listening aid earbuds

  • Audio transceiver and lapel microphone (Bluetooth or Auracast enabled)

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A woman working at an hearing aid store talking to an older man who is holding a pamphlet about ear wax removal.

Visits and Training

Mackay Hearing are motivated to support the Mackay community and their hearing care.

  • We offer appointments in your home for clients with mobility limitations.

  • We offer training and support on hearing health for local organisations and services (like nursing homes, hospitals, schools, kindergartens, etc.) including, hearing screening, hearing aid maintenance, signs of hearing loss, ear wax management and other related topics.

  • We can provide in-services to local organisations and interest groups (like retirement villages, nursing homes, schools, community health centre, community groups) on hearing, auditory processing, hearing loss, the latest hearing technology, hearing health and assistive listening devices – to raise awareness on the prevalence of hearing loss in our community and hearing solutions.

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