Elderly and vulnerable patients could be ripped off by hearing aid companies because they no longer need a GP to access a subsidised device, the RACGP says.

Late last year, the Federal Government removed the requirement for patients to obtain a medical certificate before purchasing a hearing aid with a government subsidy through its Hearing Services Program.

The government said the reform was needed to make it easier for patients to access the scheme, which paid an average of $606 towards the cost of a hearing aid to more than 785,000 people last financial year.

But the RACGP has warned the change could mean some patients, without a GP to identify treatable hearing problems, will be sold hearing aids they do not need, potentially costing them thousands of dollars for the device.