Eligibilities of Children with Hearing Impairments
Diagnosing hearing problems among children as early as possible is incredibly important, as it allows for audiologic rehabilitation, which often includes rehabilitation through technological devices such as hearing aids and implants, alongside auditory learning and speech therapy that will facilitate an early acquisition of normal language and speech skills.
If your child is diagnosed to have a hearing impairment, you have the following rights. The article below compiles all of the relevant information for children and parents.
Disabled child allowance
Parents of a child with a hearing impairment may be eligible to a disabled child allowance, from birth and up to the age of 18 years 3 months, provided that they satisfy the basic criteria (Hebrew) determined by the National Insurance Institute.
Who is eligible for the allowance?
According to the National Insurance Institute, children with the following types of hearing impairments are eligible to receive the allowance: hearing loss and deafness.
What documents must be submitted to the National Insurance Institute?
You need to attach comprehensive documents to the extent possible to allow the National Insurance Institute to carefully review eligibility for an allowance. With sufficient documentation, it is possible that your child will not have to appear before the committee.
More information about the medical committee at the National Insurance Institute website (Hebrew)
- Form of claim for disabled child allowance - send as an online form (Hebrew) or download as a printable file (Hebrew).
- Latest hearing test (audiogram). If performed, attach the tympanogram.
- Attach any results of a BERA - Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry.
Note
Note
If you receive a summons to a medical committee to examine your child, you can receive consultation and preparation for the committee, free of charge, at Yad Mechavenet service centers (Hebrew). To schedule an appointment, dial *2496.
Tax credit
Once you receive approval of the disabled child allowance, you can apply with the Tax Authority to receive tax credits for a child with a disability under Section 45 of the Income Tax Ordinance. The credit can be received for each child who is eligible for a disabled child allowance from the National Insurance Institute.
Read more on tax credits at the Tax Authority website
Rehabilitative day care centers
According to the Rehabilitative Day Care Centers Law (Hebrew), toddlers between the ages of eighteen months and 3 years (in accordance with the sections of the Rehabilitative Day Care Centers Law) who are determined by an accredited child development institute to have a developmental delay, for which they receive a disabled child allowance from the National Insurance Institute, are eligible to attend a rehabilitative day care center that will provide them with any developmental therapy they may need. The rehabilitative day care centers also include special day care classes for children and toddlers with hearing impairments who require special therapeutic expertise.
List of day care centers at the Ministry of Health website (Hebrew)
Speech therapy
Children with hearing impairments are eligible to receive speech therapy as part of the child development services that are in the government health services basket and as part of the supplementary coverage of the HMOs.
Until the age of 18, children are eligible for speech and language therapy, at discounted or subsidized costs, in accordance with the eligibility criteria, which varies at each HMO.
Read more at the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs website (Hebrew)
Note
Note
As part of the supplementary coverage of the HMOs, there is a quota of additional treatments for a reduced fee. It is therefore recommended to review the eligibility criteria with the insuring HMO before starting any therapy.
Hearing aids
You can find details about the process of adapting hearing aids for children and financing options in the article audiologic rehabilitation for children.
Apply for financial support to buy hearing aids and devices for children up to the age of 18, at the Ministry of Health website
Cochlear implant
Inner ear implants are included in the health services basket for children up to the age of 18.
Read more on the eligibilities and inner ear implants on the Kol Habriut website (Hebrew)
Read more on implants in the article audiologic rehabilitation for children
Dear parents
Dear parents
If you are forced to be absent from work due to your child’s medical procedure, you have rights under the law. You should read the guide for parents: sick leave, assistance for children with disabilities and other eligibilities.