You Have the Right to Choose Your Own Audiologist and Hearing Device for Your Return to Work (SA) Hearing Claim
If you've been exposed to loud noise at work over the years — on a construction site, in a factory, on the farm, in the mines — and your hearing isn't what it used to be, you may be entitled to compensation under South Australia's ReturnToWorkSA (RTWSA) scheme.
But here's something most people don't realise when they start looking into it: you have the right to choose your own audiologist and which brand device you receive. And that choice matters more than you might think.
What you've probably seen advertised
You've likely come across TV or online ads from companies promising a free hearing test, no win no fee legal representation, and lump sum payouts. The pitch is simple and appealing — one phone call, they handle everything.
What those ads don't tell you is that when you sign up with one of these services, you're typically entering a pipeline where:
- The hearing test is done by their audiologist — not one of your choice
- You're fitted with hearing aids from their preferred supplier — not necessarily the best device for your hearing needs
- You're represented by their legal partner — a firm with a commercial relationship with the company that referred you
This isn't illegal. But it means the people involved in your assessment, your hearing aid fitting, and your legal claim all have financial ties to each other. Under RTWSA rules, any audiologist referring you to other services is required to disclose those commercial relationships — though in practice, many patients don't realise these connections exist until they're already in the process.
What the RTWSA fact sheet actually says
On choosing your clinician: "You can choose your clinician. Your choice of clinician has no impact on your claim or right to claim for the hearing services, including the cost of hearing aids. You can change to a different clinician for any reason, at any time."
On legal representation: "Whilst you do not need to be legally represented to be assessed, fitted or to request approval for hearing services or hearing aid costs, you can access free legal information and guidance from SA Unions Workers' Compensation Service on 8279 2220, or the Legal Services Commission on 1300 366 424."
On your rights during examination: "There is no legal requirement for your employer or ReturnToWorkSA to be present whilst you are being examined or treated by a health practitioner."
In other words: this is your claim, your hearing, and your choice. No one can require you to use a specific audiologist, a specific hearing aid brand, or a specific lawyer.
What a proper RTWSA hearing assessment involves
A compliant RTWSA hearing assessment isn't just a quick hearing check. Here's what should happen:
- A thorough clinical history — how your hearing loss developed, your employment history and noise exposure at work, non-work noise exposure (sport shooting, music, motorsport), your medical and family history, and whether you experience tinnitus
- Pure tone audiometry — air and bone conduction, properly masked
- Speech testing, otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and tympanometry
- A signed soundproof room declaration confirming calibrated equipment and 16 hours noise-free before testing
- A full written report for the claims agent
This is a comprehensive clinical process. It should take time and care — not be rushed.
Why tinnitus matters — and why most claim services miss it
Tinnitus can be included as part of your RTWSA hearing loss claim. If your workplace noise exposure caused both hearing loss and tinnitus, both conditions can contribute to your Whole Person Impairment (WPI) assessment — which affects your lump sum entitlement.
Tinnitus is often the condition with the greatest impact on daily life — affecting sleep, concentration, mental health, and the ability to enjoy quiet moments. Yet it's frequently underassessed or treated as an afterthought in high-volume claim operations.
At Adelaide Tinnitus and Hearing Care, tinnitus is our specialty. We assess it properly, document it clinically, and communicate its impact clearly. If you have both noise-induced hearing loss and tinnitus, we make sure both are fully accounted for.
The process, step by step
- 1 Come to us for an independent assessment — we take a full clinical history, conduct all required diagnostic testing, and give you a clear picture of your hearing loss and whether tinnitus is a factor.
- 2 We provide a full written report that meets RTWSA requirements, suitable for lodging with your claim.
- 3 You lodge your claim — directly with your employer, or by calling ReturnToWorkSA on 13 18 55. You don't need a lawyer to do this. Free legal guidance is available through the Legal Services Commission or SA Unions.
- 4 The claims agent (Gallagher Bassett or EML) reviews your claim and makes a decision.
- 5 If your claim is accepted, RTWSA covers the cost of your assessment, hearing aids (up to $2,020 per aid), and ongoing hearing care. You continue to see us — or any registered audiologist of your choice.
- 6 If eligible for a lump sum, the claims agent will arrange an independent permanent impairment assessment — you choose your assessor.
Under the ReturnToWork Audiology Guidelines, audiologists are strictly limited to clinical testing and are explicitly prohibited from advising patients on whether their hearing loss is compensable. Determining claim approval is the exclusive legal authority of your designated ReturnToWorkSA claims agent or an accredited specialist.
Why come to Adelaide Tinnitus and Hearing Care?
No law firm partnerships, no hearing aid supplier arrangements, no commercial interests in the outcome of your claim
Tinnitus is our core specialty — we assess and document it properly so it's fully counted in your claim
A full RTWSA-compliant assessment by an experienced audiologist — not rushed through a high-volume system
We give you the clinical foundation. Who you use for legal advice and hearing aids is entirely up to you
Don't go with the first name you saw on TV
Come and see us first. Understand what you're entitled to. Then make your own decisions.
Book an assessment →Reference: ReturnToWorkSA — Hearing aids: Information for workers (fact sheet)
This blog is for general information purposes only. For advice specific to your situation, contact ReturnToWorkSA on 13 18 55 or the Legal Services Commission on 1300 366 424. Free legal guidance is also available through SA Unions Workers' Compensation Service on 8279 2220.
