Overview
Our hearing services program is an evidence-based bundled services plan for people with noise-induced or traumatic hearing loss.
We developed the program with the latest evidence in collaboration with the Association of Hearing Instrument Practitioners of Ontario and Speech-Language Audiology Canada and supported by the Ontario Association of Professional Audiology Clinics.
Starting November 18, 2024, health care providers must deliver services through the hearing services program. If someone started the previous noise-induced hearing loss program of care before November 18, 2024, read more about service delivery.
Admission criteria
The hearing services program is for people who:
- Have an allowed claim for work-related hearing loss
- Have no additional injuries that prevent them from participating in this program
Program objectives
Our objective is to deliver hearing-related services to optimize hearing and quality of hearing devices, including:
- Access to consistent and high-quality assessment and hearing services for people with work-related noise-induced or traumatic hearing loss across Ontario
- Encouraging clear and timely communication between us, people with hearing loss and their health care providers
Provider expectations
We expect hearing health care providers to:
- Provide patients with an appropriate and comprehensive assessment and hearing-related services
- Provide patients with necessary devices and services to optimize their function (e.g., hearing aids, related services, assistive listening devices and additional follow-up care)
- Provide counselling, education and support to patients and their families or caregivers on hearing loss and its effects, appropriate expectations for hearing aids, effective communication strategies, as well as the use, care and maintenance of hearing aids and assistive listening devices
- Facilitate clear and timely communication with your patients and with us
Requirements to deliver the program
To deliver the hearing services program, health care providers must:
- Register to get an electronic billing number and a WSIB Provider ID number through TELUS Health, if you do not already have one.
- Register on our website and agree to the requirements of delivering the program.
- Review and understand the program resources on our website
- Sign up for an online services account with us to submit reports and supporting documents, if you do not already have one.
Each health care provider must register to deliver the hearing services program; if you work in multiple clinics, you must register each location with us.
Service bundles
The hearing services program offers two main hearing service bundles: an initial service bundle (first year of service) and an ongoing bundle (annual hearing services after the first year). There is also a mini services bundle that is considered when a new hearing aid is required during the five-year cycle period due to a significant change in hearing.
Read more about what’s included in each bundle, reporting requirements and billing.
Hearing services program directory
Once you register to deliver the program, you will be listed on our hearing services program directory. If you work in multiple clinics, you must register each location with us.
To report changes to your information in the directory, email programofcare@wsib.on.ca.
FAQ
Why has the program of care changed?
We developed the new hearing services program to provide a clear and consistent approach to the delivery of hearing services for patients and providers, with continued focus on the patients' health care needs after their first year with a hearing device.
When does the new hearing services program begin?
The hearing services program starts on November 18, 2024.
How do I bill for hearing aids I dispensed to a patient before November 18, 2024?
All hearing aids dispensed before November 18, 2024 must be billed under the noise-induced hearing loss program of care.
What do I need to do to deliver the hearing services program?
First, you will need to register for a TELUS provider ID number if you do not already have one.
Then, you can complete our registration form. We will review your submission and then add you to the program directory. In the directory, your contact information will be posted so people with hearing loss can quickly find care close to home.
You will be required to review all program resources as part of your online registration.
How do I register for a TELUS provider ID number?
Visit the TELUS Health provider registration website to get started.
Once you submit your request, TELUS will send you a provider ID, a user ID and password to log in to their provider portal.
When your registration is complete, set up your direct deposit through their provider portal so you can start billing us for delivered services.
How do I submit bills for payment?
You must submit bills electronically using the TELUS Health Provider Portal.
For help with electronic billing, please call the TELUS Health Solutions Support Centre at 1-866-240-7492 or visit their website.
For more information on our billing requirements and fees, refer to the billing and fees section on our information on service bundles page.
What type of hearing devices do you offer?
The hearing aids WSIB offers have a range of features and styles that meet the needs of most people with work-related hearing loss. View more information on hearing devices for a list of manufacturers and vendors we work with.
Is there a trial period allowed with hearing aids?
Yes. The trial period for hearing aids is a minimum of 30 days and up to a maximum of 90 days, following the hearing aid fitting. Any change to the selection of the hearing aid(s) should happen within this timeframe.
You must submit a selection change form to us for each change in hearing aids during the 30 to 90-day trial period.
What happens if authorized hearing aids cannot meet my patient’s needs?
If an entry-level or mid-level hearing aid has been trialed and doesn’t meet your patient’s needs, we may consider offering a suitable hearing aid from our exception-level category for those with specific clinical requirements. Refer to our guidelines for clinical exceptions for more information and reporting requirements. We must approve the request before dispensing exception-level aids.
What items are expected to be included with the dispensing of a hearing aid and how does this affect billing?
The initial purchase of a hearing aid will include any component required for its basic functioning and user control including, but not limited to, remote controls, chargers (for rechargeable models), receivers, tubes, domes, telecoils, microphones, amplifiers, loudspeakers, digital chips, battery doors, and all molds.
These components are covered under the warranty period and cannot be billed separately from the hearing aid.
What happens if a patient’s hearing aid(s) is lost, stolen or damaged?
We generally consider one request to replace a lost, stolen or damaged beyond repair hearing aid every five-year cycle. Once the patient receives their replacement aid(s), the five-year eligibility period for hearing aids will re-start.
When a hearing aid needs to be replaced because it was lost, stolen or damaged (beyond repair) and the same model is available, it will be replaced with the same model. If the hearing aid model is no longer available, it should be replaced by a similar compatible model from the same manufacturer.
Refer to our guidelines for replacements and information about hearing devices for reporting requirements and details on replacing a hearing aid before the five-year eligibility renewal.
Where can I find information on the manufacturer's warranty terms and conditions?
You can find information about hearing aid warranty terms and conditions on our information about hearing devices page.
Can I bill for providing services for a new patient while their hearing aid(s) are in an initial bundle with another clinic?
No, you cannot bill for providing services for a new patient while their hearing aid(s) are in an initial bundle with another clinic.
If a patient changes clinics during the initial bundle and we issued payment to the original clinic, the new clinic cannot submit further billing for that year. Refer to our service bundle page for more information on clinic changes.