Paediatric audiology is delivered very differently in different countries, driven by funding models, rather than clinical need. In Australia, the current funding model is based on dated concepts that fitting hearing aids to children is risky. As a result, in the area of device fitting for children, little choice or control is available to families who rely on public funding. For some living in Australia, the public system is not available and they have free choice in the private sector. For others, they may opt for private or charitable services, rather than be bound by restrictions that are required by public funding. This session will compare and contrast experiences of consumers and audiologists of publicly funded pediatric audiology with models of service delivery available in the private sector and in other countries. The purpose of this session is to ensure contemporary models of pediatric rehabilitative audiology that are responsive to families’ needs and makes use of available public funding and professional expertise that is available in the community.
Speakers: Shannon Perreira, BNurs, GradCertChild & AdolHlth, MClinAud; Joel Coultas, Au.D.