Author: Director Jeong Hae-su (Master's degree in Audiology, Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology, Specialized Audiologist, Director of hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center) This content has been prepared in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Services Act.
Many people find themselves uncertain about where to start with the process of registering as hearing disabled in Yongin City and then receiving a government-supported hearing aid. To give you the conclusion upfront: the entire process is divided into 5 main steps, and with step-by-step guidance, it can proceed more smoothly than you might expect. However, it is important to carefully confirm in advance that the support amount and detailed procedures may differ depending on the degree of hearing loss and the type of health insurance you have.
In Yongin City, we guide you through the entire procedure from hearing disability registration to government-supported hearing aids
The process from hearing disability registration to receiving hearing aids may seem complicated for those experiencing it for the first time. However, if you understand the purpose of each step, there will be no major difficulty in grasping the overall flow.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare disability registration system, those who have completed hearing disability registration can receive up to 1.31 million won (once every 5 years) in government support for hearing aids per ear. To receive this support, hearing disability registration must first be completed, and if hearing aids are purchased without registration, benefit claims cannot be filed at all.
The entire procedure can be summarized at a glance as follows:
• Step 1 Issue disability diagnostic referral document at community center • Step 2 Audiological test at ENT clinic and issuance of disability diagnostic certificate • Step 3 Submit documents to community center (diagnostic certificate, test results, etc.) • Step 4 Disability assessment review by National Pension Service (within approximately 1 month) • Step 5 Issue welfare card → obtain hearing aid prescription from ENT clinic → purchase hearing aids → claim benefit payment from National Health Insurance Service
The support amount and some procedures may differ depending on the degree of hearing loss and the type of health insurance enrolled in (general, basic livelihood recipient, near-poor, etc.). Before starting, it is recommended to check your personal situation first at a specialized auditory center or the National Health Insurance Service (1577-1000).
From hearing disability registration to receiving government-supported hearing aids — the entire procedure at a glance
The most important prerequisite for receiving government-supported hearing aids is completion of hearing disability registration. Without registration, health insurance benefit claims cannot be filed at all. Let's examine each step in more detail.
• STEP 1 | Visit community center — issue diagnostic referral document Visit your residential community center and receive a disability diagnostic referral document. With this document, the ENT clinic can proceed with audiological testing for disability purposes.
• STEP 2 | ENT audiological testing (3 times total, with 2-7 day intervals) Audiological testing for hearing disability determination is conducted 3 times total with 2-7 day intervals, and ABR (auditory brainstem response) testing may be conducted together if necessary. Based on the test results, an ENT specialist issues a disability diagnostic certificate.
• STEP 3 | Submit documents to community center Submit the disability diagnostic certificate, audiological test results, and related documents to your residential community center.
• STEP 4 | Disability assessment review by National Pension Service According to Ministry of Health and Welfare guidance, submitted documents are transferred to the National Pension Service for disability assessment. Typically, results are notified within approximately 1 month.
• STEP 5 | Issue welfare card After passing the assessment, a welfare card is issued. This card is necessary for hearing aid prescription and government support application.
• STEP 6 | Issue hearing aid prescription from ENT clinic → purchase hearing aids After obtaining a hearing aid prescription from the ENT clinic, purchase hearing aids at an auditory center that handles products registered with the National Health Insurance Service.
• STEP 7 | Issue verification of fitting certificate (approximately 1 month after purchase) → claim benefit payment to National Health Insurance Service Approximately 1 month after purchasing hearing aids, obtain a verification of fitting certificate from the ENT clinic, and submit the prescription, transaction statement, verification of fitting certificate, benefit claim form, bank account copy, and welfare card copy to the National Health Insurance Service for benefit reimbursement.
💡 For basic livelihood recipients and near-poor households, separate procedures are in place for receiving full support without any out-of-pocket costs. Please first confirm your personal situation with the National Health Insurance Service (1577-1000).
hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center guides you through each procedure
Many people wonder most during the hearing disability registration process: "Will I be eligible for registration?" If you have a detailed audiological test at a specialized auditory center before visiting the ENT clinic, you can better assess the possibility of disability registration in advance, making subsequent procedures much smoother.
With 40 years of traditional expertise and a double-soundproof booth equivalent to a university hospital, hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center first accurately identifies your hearing condition, then guides you step by step from determining whether you are eligible for hearing disability registration through hearing aid fitting. A specialized audiologist director with a Master's degree or higher in Audiology is on staff, and you can directly compare and experience hearing aids from six globally verified brands including Oticon, Signia, Phonak, Beltone, Starkey, and Widex, helping you select hearing aids that match your hearing condition and living environment.
However, actual disability determination and issuance of diagnostic certificates are the exclusive authority of ENT specialists. The center is responsible for detailed audiological testing for preliminary confirmation, hospital referral, procedure guidance, and hearing aid fitting.
Frequently provided guidance
Q. Should I visit an ENT clinic first or an auditory center first? You may visit either in either order. However, if you visit an auditory center first, you can understand your hearing condition and receive procedure guidance, then be referred to an appropriate ENT clinic, allowing for more efficient progress.
Before hearing disability registration, please check if you fall into any of these categories
To be eligible for hearing disability registration and government-supported hearing aids, subjective discomfort from simply "not hearing well" is not sufficient. Objective disability determination through ENT testing must be in place first. Please review the items below.
| Confirmation item | Applicable || |---|---| | Frequently missing or asking again when hearing speech even in quiet places | ☐ | | Needing to set TV volume much higher than family members | ☐ | | Difficulty hearing the other person's voice during phone calls | ☐ | | Finding face-to-face general conversation difficult | ☐ | | Experiencing persistent tinnitus (ear ringing) or difficulty distinguishing sound direction | ☐ |
Since July 2019, the hearing disability grade system has been operated as a unified system of 'severe disability' (former grades 1-3) and 'non-severe disability' (former grades 4-6). It is known that difficulty in face-to-face general conversation at a basic standard hearing loss level is the basic criterion, and mild hearing loss from simple aging may not be eligible for registration. It is also good to know in advance that even those 65 years and older cannot easily receive government-supported hearing aids without a hearing disability grade determination.
Since the actual determination criteria vary from person to person based on test results, those applicable to the above items are recommended to first have a detailed audiological test at a specialized auditory center.
According to Yongin City Health Center, hearing-related support inquiry windows (Maternal and Child Health Team) are operated at each health center in Cheoein-gu, Giheung-gu, and Suji-gu, allowing you to also learn about regional support programs.
💡 Government-supported hearing aids in Giheung-gu, hearing disability registration in Suji-gu, hearing rehabilitation for hearing loss in Cheoein-gu — residents of each district in Yongin City can also receive the same procedure guidance and detailed testing at the nearby hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center.
Are you unsure where to start with hearing disability registration and government-supported hearing aids in Yongin City?
At hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center in Cheoein-gu, Yongin City, consult about everything from audiological testing to guidance on hearing disability registration procedures, personalized hearing aid fitting, and lifetime free home care in one place. From hearing disability registration to post-care after receiving hearing aids, a specialized audiologist director will guide you through each procedure.
For seniors with mobility difficulties who cannot visit in person, we also operate home care services that visit directly. If a guardian visits the center first or contacts us by phone, we will find a solution that suits the senior's situation.
If you find the procedure difficult because it's your first time, confirming your hearing condition first is the best starting point. We will examine at the center what support direction is right for you.
Yongin City hearing disability hearing aids support — frequently asked questions
Q1. Can I receive government-supported hearing aids even if I haven't registered as hearing disabled?
No, hearing disability registration is an essential prerequisite for receiving government-supported hearing aids. Without registration, health insurance benefit claims cannot be filed at all. Hearing disability registration must first be completed before purchasing hearing aids.
Q2. How long does the hearing disability registration process take?
Since audiological testing at the ENT clinic is conducted 3 times with 2-7 day intervals, at least 2-3 weeks are required just for testing. After that, an additional approximately 1 month is needed for community center document submission and National Pension Service assessment. Overall, it may take approximately 2 months at the fastest, or longer depending on circumstances, so it is recommended to prepare with adequate time.
Q3. What is the amount of government-supported hearing aids, and is there an out-of-pocket cost?
Up to 1.31 million won per ear is supported once every 5 years. General health insurance subscribers must pay 10% of the support amount as out-of-pocket cost, while basic livelihood recipients and near-poor households can receive full support without out-of-pocket costs. Please confirm your eligibility with the National Health Insurance Service (1577-1000).
Q4. What documents must I submit to the National Health Insurance Service after purchasing hearing aids?
Basically, a hearing aid prescription, transaction statement, verification of fitting certificate (issued by the ENT clinic approximately 1 month after purchase), benefit claim form, bank account copy, and welfare card copy are required. Depending on your personal situation, additional documents may be required, so it is safe to confirm with the National Health Insurance Service before filing claims.
Q5. Can I receive procedure guidance even if visiting the center is difficult due to mobility problems?
Yes, hanmihearing Auditory Rehabilitation Center operates a home care service for seniors with mobility difficulties. If a guardian first explains the situation by phone or in-person visit, we will arrange a visit schedule that suits the senior's condition. Some administrative procedures related to hearing disability registration can be handled by proxy for guardians, so please receive guidance on this as well.
⚠️ The possibility of procedure side effects may vary depending on individual skin condition.