A NEW website will help residents in the Electorate of New England with hearing loss to receive the support they need sooner by making it easier to find information and apply for services, the Member for Barnaby Joyce said.

Mr Joyce said one in six Australians experience hearing loss.

The new website conveniently links local people to their closest hearing services through the Australian Government Hearing Services Program,” he said.

“With just a few clicks, people can check their eligibility and apply for services online. It gives New England Electorate residents of better access to up-to date information about hearing, what services are available and who provides them.

“This means eligible people with hearing loss will receive the services they need sooner.”

Mr Joyce said the website had been developed in close consultation with the hearing service industry and their clients.

“Hearing services providers are already using the website as part of a trial period, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said.

“Managing information electronically replaces many of the paper forms, cutting red tape for clients and service providers. Through the new website, providers have already successfully processed thousands of client applications.

Mr Joyce said the improvements to the Hearing Services Program form part of the Australian Government’s commitment to cutting regulatory burden and modernising public services to make the lives of Australians a little easier.

The Department of Health’s new hearing services website is at www.hearingservices.gov.au