Questions on the fairness of a proposed ACC threshold for hearing aid entitlement have been raised in Parliament .

The industrial relations select committee is considering legislative changes, including introducing a 6 percent hearing loss threshold.

Labour MP David Parker asked Minister for ACC Nick Smith whether the Injury, Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Bill would be fair for people who need hearing aids.

"Is the minister aware that a man in his 50s with under 6 percent noise-related hearing loss will not be able to hear birds sing, will miss most of what his grandchildren say to him and needs a hearing aid?" he asked.

Mr Smith said he does not accept that. "The advice that I have received is that the 6 percent limit is a reasonable limit to the point where a hearing aid actually becomes useful.

"However, the bill is at a select committee and I'm going to ask that select committee to report back to the House before making the final decision on the bill."

Mr Smith said the changes were made to define the extent of the scheme. "A scheme with no limits is unaffordable."

According to the National Foundation for the Deaf, which will be appearing at an industrial relations committee meeting tomorrow, people with 6 percent hearing loss does not mean they have 94 percent hearing capabilities.

"Noise damage attacks the high frequency area of our hearing that is critical to understanding speech, especially in everyday background noise.

"We have numerous examples of people with hearing damage less that 6 percent total that has had a profound effect on their professional and personal lives."