IMPORTANT NOTICE: NDIS Funding for Noise Cancelling Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones are now classified as "Personal Items" under the NDIS. This means they cannot be purchased using low cost assistive technology funding or through a Replacement Supports Application. To access NDIS funding for noise cancelling headphones, the item must be discussed during your plan review and specifically approved and itemised in your plan by your NDIS Planner. For more information, read our updated NDIS guidance article.
Audeara Sensory Headphones: Personalised Hearing for People Who Need More Than Noise Cancelling
In an increasingly noisy world, it is not surprising that 3.6 million Australians live with some level of hearing loss. Noise cancelling headphones - often called sensory headphones - can help people focus by reducing the intrusive effect of background noise. But global hearing health leader Audeara is taking noise cancellation a significant step further, offering headphones that adapt to the specific hearing profile of each individual wearer.
Approved as an assistive listening device under the Department of Veterans' Affairs and the Hearing Services Program, Audeara sensory headphones are especially effective for people living with hearing loss, autism, ADHD, or other noise-sensitive conditions.
How Personalisation Works
Just as most people have slightly different vision in each eye, our level of hearing differs between ears too. Audeara addresses this through a smartphone app that measures hearing across a wide frequency range, ear by ear, producing an individual hearing profile.
Standard noise cancelling headphones take a one-size-fits-all approach - they simply increase all frequencies equally, much like turning up the TV. Audeara's approach is more precise. Its algorithm boosts only the specific frequencies where a person's hearing is lacking, delivering a better listening experience at a lower overall volume. The result: unwanted background noise is reduced, while the audio the wearer actually wants to hear is clearer and more comfortable than standard headphones can achieve.
Key Features
Developed in collaboration with audiologists, hearing clinics, and hearing professionals, the Audeara A-02 operates over Bluetooth, giving wearers freedom of movement without any loss of audio quality. Key features include:
- Designed and engineered in Australia
- Hearing health-check app that tailors sound to a specific hearing profile
- Ear pads designed to fit over hearing aids or cochlear implants
- Premium ear pads for comfort during extended use
- Quality aluminium frame, robustly stress-tested for durability
- Generous 2-year manufacturer's warranty
- Dedicated free support line staffed by audio technicians, available to all Audeara users
Assistive Tech's customer service team can also assist with ordering and general support.
Helping with Sensory Overload, Autism, and ADHD
The active noise cancellation in Audeara headphones does more than reduce background sound - research has shown it can support emotion regulation, helping individuals manage and respond to sensory experiences more effectively. Studies (available here and here) have demonstrated meaningful benefits for people prone to sensory overload and those with autism or ADHD.
By removing unexpected or loud noises from a person's environment, Audeara headphones help reduce the triggers that can lead to sensory overload. Without that background noise, focus also becomes easier - wearers can stay on task for longer.
It was years since Tracey and her son Sean had been able to attend any kind of social function. "The unpredictability of Sean's autism made it very difficult. We did try but, in the end, realised that no one was enjoying themselves because it was just too stressful all round," says Tracey.
"Things have been on the up since Tracey swapped Sean's standard noise cancelling headphones for a pair from Audeara. "They really are life changing! We recently went to a family wedding for the first time. It was so wonderful for both Sean and me to be able to participate; to feel included and be part of the whole gathering was just so special. They've given us the confidence to get out and about much more."
Audeara headphones have also made a difference for dyslexia sufferer Brandon. "I use YouTube for a lot of my education. At last, I can really focus and understand what I'm hearing, without any background noise distraction. That's vital for me because I rely totally on the visuals I see and what I hear. The better the intake of knowledge, the more I can retain."
Monitoring Your Hearing Health Over Time
Even people with relatively normal hearing can benefit from Audeara headphones as a hearing health tool. Hearing loss typically develops gradually over many years - unlike a bad back, it rarely demands immediate attention. The Audeara app allows users to recheck and monitor their hearing performance over time, making it easy to spot changes early and seek professional assessment if needed.
Staying Connected
For many people, hearing loss can be profoundly isolating. When it is difficult to follow a conversation, people often disengage. Research has also shown a clear link between hearing loss and dementia - another reason to pay close attention to hearing health throughout life.
Audeara headphones help remove barriers to participation - whether that is following a favourite TV show, joining a family gathering, or staying in touch with loved ones overseas. The benefits extend to families too, not just the individual wearing them.
A Note for Gamers
Audeara is also well suited for long-term gamers. Research shows that earbuds, which channel sound directly into the ear, can accelerate hearing damage over time. Standard gaming headsets rarely prioritise hearing health, and without personalised audio, gamers often push volumes higher to compensate for clarity. Audeara addresses both problems.
NDIS Funding: What You Need to Know
As noted above, noise cancelling headphones are currently classified as Personal Items under the NDIS. They cannot be purchased using low cost assistive technology funding or via a Replacement Supports Application.
If you believe Audeara headphones are important to your disability support, the right step is to raise this during your next NDIS plan review. Your planner will need to specifically approve and itemise the item in your plan before a purchase can be funded.
Our team can help you understand the current guidance and prepare for that conversation. Read our detailed NDIS funding article for the full picture.
Get in Touch
Audeara sensory headphones are always in stock at Assistive Tech, ready for immediate dispatch. Call us on 1300 088 222 or click the chat icon at the bottom right if you are not sure where to get started.
References
- Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care: About ear health - health.gov.au
- SAGE Journals: Effectiveness of Earmuffs and Noise-cancelling Headphones for Coping with Hyper-reactivity to Auditory Stimuli in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (2016) - journals.sagepub.com
- Taylor & Francis Online, Cogent Education: Academic benefits of wearing noise-cancelling headphones during class (2021) - tandfonline.com
- Dementia Australia: Hearing loss and dementia (2020) - dementia.org.au
- Brieflands, Heal Scope: Prevalence and Pattern of Using Headphones and Its Relationship with Hearing Loss among Students (2018) - brieflands.com
- Hearing Health Foundation: Earbuds vs. Over-the-Ear Headphones: Which Should You Use? (2020) - hearinghealthfoundation.org
