About Us


Healthy Hearing & Balance Care
is a private independent audiology practice bringing together the expertise of audiologists, psychologists, speech pathologists, auditory therapists, physiotherapists and ear specialists to provide customised strategies for the prevention, assessment and rehabilitation of all hearing and balance disorders. Each client is treated as a unique individual and our mission is to care for their hearing and balance needs to the best of our knowledge and expertise using the latest available technology, methods and procedures.

Our director Celene McNeill is a fully qualified audiologist with a post-graduate Masters degree and is an active member of Audiology Australia (ASA), Australian College of Audiology (ACAud), Australian Association of Audiologists in Private Practice (AAAPP) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). Celene has more than 25 years experience as a clinician and researcher on hearing and balance disorders, and holds a part-time position in the Audiology division of Macquarie University, Sydney.

Our Services

We offer a complete range of audiological procedures using the most current equipment and techniques to test infants from 8 months of age, children, adults and the elderly.

We welcome referrals from general practitioners and specialists.

Diagnostic audiology tests

•Audiometry (pure tone air, bone and speech)
•Tympanometry and Acoustic Reflexes
•Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
•Electrocochleography (ECochG)
•Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR)
•Cortical Auditory Evoked Responses (CAEP)
•Auditory Processing tests
•Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (cVEMPS and oVEMPS)
•ENG and Caloric tests

Referring doctors please click here for our referral form which can also be mailed to you upon request on hhbc@tpg.com.au or (02) 9387 3599

Diagnostic test reports:

Test results will be posted, faxed or emailed to referring doctors within a week of test completion after being analysed and signed by one of our ear specialist consultants.

Our Areas of Expertise:

Tinnitus, hyperacusis and acoustic shock are disorders of the ear and auditory nerve pathway which may become very distressing, affecting quality of life. We provide assessment, management and treatment of these conditions using the latest technology combined with the expertise of audiologists, psychologists and ear specialist as required.

Audiologist Celene McNeill has a special interest in these disorders being a professional advisor and board member of the Australian Tinnitus Association of NSW (ATA) for 14 years. Our audiologists are also fully accredited to provide the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment.


Meniere’s disease is a complex ear disorder associated with symptoms of hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo (spinning or rotating sensation) and occasionally vomiting. It can be a debilitating condition for some but appropriate management of the symptoms will ensure a good quality of life. We are proud to be the only audiology clinic in Australia fully specialised in the management of Meniere’s disease.


Celene McNeill has been a professional advisor to the Meniere’s Support Group of NSW since 1996 and is currently conducting a research project as part of a PhD degree at Macquarie University on the use of hearing aids for fluctuating hearing loss as in Meniere’s disease.

Hearing rehabilitation including assessment, selection, fitting, repair, maintenance, batteries, accessories and parts of new and existing hearing aids, implantable hearing devices such as cochlear implants (bionic ear), vibrant Soundbridge (VSB), and the bone anchored hearing aids (BAHA).


Our clinic is under no obligation to any manufacturer so that we are able to offer and service a full range of hearing aids and implantable devices from manufacturers worldwide.


Our audiologists pride themselves beig able to provide unbiased advice and recommendations based on each client’s real needs.

New hearing aid users can be assured of receiving the best and most economical device based on their current needs.


Existing hearing aid users will always have their existing aids fully optimised and assessed before considering the need for new technology.

Our clientele has recently been surveyed regarding satisfaction with their hearing aids fitted and serviced at our clinic and we found that a staggering 98% of them wear their hearing aids on a regular basis.

Our cochlear implant and BAHA clients always receive prompt and personalised service with a loan device available any time their own device needs repairing.

Order your batteries, accessories and parts by email at hhbc@tpg.com.au or call (02) 93873599 and we will post them to you.


Celene McNeill has published and presented scientific papers at different conferences on the subject of cochlear implants, BAHA and hearing aids and also contributes with articles to self-help groups such as SHHH and CICADA.


Complex hearing losses and dissatisfied hearing aid users
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We have developed a reputation of being able to solve the hearing needs of clients who could not be helped elsewhere. If you are not satisfied with your hearing status or have been told that nothing else can be done for your problem, make sure you pay us a visit. Our audiologists love the challenge! No problem is ever too difficult if you are prepared to work with us towards achieving your hearing and balance goals!


Auditory processing disorders (APD) affect children and adults of all ages. The main symptoms are inability to understand speech and in following instructions in noisy environments. Not everyone with such symptoms have APD so accurate testing is required. Children with APD usually have learning and behavioural problems. Our audiologists offer a comprehensive battery of validated audiological tests to assess auditory processing function using behavioural and objective auditory evoked response procedures in clients from 7 years of age. Test results are then used to recommend management techniques for the condition using the most appropriate strategies for each individual problem.

Auditory Training and Speech Therapy are options offered at our clinic to complete the rehabilitation process of adolescents and adults with deafness or hearing losses who have been fitted with cochlear implants and/or hearing aids.

Our children and adult clients with APD also benefit from auditory training, speech and music based therapies to develop and improve auditory processing skills. A Psychologist, Auditory therapist and Speech Pathologist are part of our experienced group of professionals.

Earplugs are custom made at our clinic for swimming, noise and music.

We have a growing number of professional musicians, sound engineers and DJ’s who come to our clinic for our special musician ear plugs which are custom designed to attenuate sound levels without compromising quality. Purpose made earplugs can also be made to protect industrial noise workers from high sound levels as well as to protect swimmers ears from the effects of cold and/or polluted water.

Assessment and counselling for prevention of hearing loss and tinnitus for those exposed to professional and or recreational loud sound are an integral part of our services.

Our Fees:

Healthy Hearing & Balance Care is an independent private practice that tries to keep charges to a reasonable minimum rate. Payment for fees and services are expected on the day of the appointment.

Private clients may be able to claim a partial rebate from Medicare or Health Fund, as applicable.


Health care, age pensioners and veteran’s affairs card holders are bulk billed upon a doctor’s referral for all diagnostic tests which attract a Medicare rebate and billed at a reduced rate for all other services.

Senior Citizens cardholders are offered a 5% discount in all service fees, which do not attract a rebate.

Medicare: rebate is available for diagnostic test procedures only upon a doctor's referral to the clinic.

Prompt and comprehensive reports of audiology test results are provided under the supervision of ENT specialists, conforming to Medicare requirements. Click here for a referral form.

Enhanced Primary Care: clients with a chronic condition may qualify for a special Medicare rebate upon a GP’s care plan which may include, audiology, psychology and/or speech therapy. Click here for a referral form.

Health Funds: most plans will provide partial reimbursement for hearing aid purchases, psychology, physiotherapy and speech therapy sessions and full cover for Cochlear Implants and BAHA devices. Audiological services involved in the fitting, programming and services of hearing aids, cochlear implants and BAHA are not covered by health funds at the moment.

Payment Options: EFTPOS direct debit is the preferred form of payment. Direct Internet Transfers, major credit cards and cheques are also accepted.

Payment plans: up to 12 monthly interest free instalments is available upon application. Click here for an application form.

Cost of Hearing Aids: Our prices are very competitive ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the required features. A 10% discount applies for EFTPOS direct debit payments.

Private clients are offered a trial of at least 4 weeks before purchasing the instruments. Full payment deposit in form of a cheque or credit card is expected on the fitting day, which will not be banked until the end of the trial period when the hearing aid has proved to meet client’s requirements and satisfaction.

Age Pensioners and DVA may be eligible for free hearing aids from the government by applying to Office of Hearing Services. Click here to download an OHS application form.

 

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©2008, Celene McNeill