Demographics of Persons under the age of 21 years with Hearing Aids

State NSW VIC QLD WA SA TAS ACT NT National
Number 492 469 479 230 150 34 34 121 2009
Percentage 24.5 23.3 23.8 11.4 7.5 1.7 1.7 6.0 100.0
Table 3. Children first fitted with hearing aids in 2011
Figure 4 shows the number of children first fitted in 2011 according to their birth year and age. The
greatest numbers of children fitted for the first time were born in 2011, which reflects the impact of
Universal Newborn Hearing Screening. However another significant peak in first fittings occurs
around school entry age.
Over time, as early identification and fittings continue, the proportion of children being fitted for the
first time in later birth years may reduce to a certain degree. However, children with late onset
and/or deteriorating hearing losses or with other reasons for later aid fitting will continue to be fitted
for the first time at older ages.
Figure 4. Number of children first fitted with hearing aids in Calendar Year 2011
Figure 5 shows the numbers of children who are fitted at less than 6 months of age and less than 12
months of age, at 31 December 2011. The “Less than 12 months” category includes children who
were fitted before 6 months of age, and will not necessarily include all children born in 2011 who
were fitted by 12 months of age.
©Australian Hearing 2012 Page 6 of 33