Look for a hearing-aid rule, not just an accessories rule
A general instruction to remove headphones may not answer the question about a hearing aid. Look for a specific medical-aid or accessibility section in the issuing authority’s photo instructions. If it is unclear, ask the authority before making changes to how you normally wear an aid.
Australian passport guidance explicitly permits a hearing aid that the applicant usually wears, including for children and infants. The same guidance says ordinary wireless earbuds must be removed. That is a useful example of why the exact category matters.
Do not hide the aid through editing
Keep the photograph faithful to how the person appeared when it was taken. Digitally erasing an aid, reshaping an ear or replacing part of the hair creates a different image. It is not a substitute for using an allowed exception.
Arrange the camera and lighting around the person’s comfortable position. If a reflection makes a facial feature difficult to see, adjust the light or camera setup and take another photograph rather than painting over the reflection afterward.
Ask about evidence when a standard pose is not possible
The permission to wear a hearing aid does not automatically answer every other photo requirement. A separate medical condition may affect the ability to hold the head upright, keep the eyes open or sit without visible support. Explain that particular issue when contacting the authority.
Keep any requested explanation with the application. Requirements for certificates or other evidence vary, so do not obtain a particular document merely because another country’s example mentions one.
Check the finished photograph with the applicant
Let the person review their own image where possible. Confirm that their face is clear, their appearance has not been altered and the selected file is the version intended for submission. Keep the original photograph if a different crop is later requested.
For an unresolved aid or positioning question, send the issuing authority a precise description of the requirement you cannot meet. Merodim can help prepare a file, but the authority determines how its accessibility provisions apply.
Sources and further reading
Australian Passport Office · Passport photos ↗Requirements can change. Check the official instructions for your application before submitting.
Merodim is an independent photo-preparation service, not a government agency. Find your document →
