Medicare covers hearing aids only in limited situations, and you will pay most of the cost yourself
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover hearing aids or routine hearing exams. However, Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) sometimes do cover them, and Medicare will pay for a hearing test if your doctor orders it for a specific medical reason—not for fitting hearing aids.
The key distinction: Medicare treats hearing aids as a hearing aid device, which falls outside its coverage rules. A hearing test ordered by your doctor to diagnose a condition like sudden hearing loss or balance problems is different and may be covered. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan documents or call the plan directly, because coverage varies widely from plan to plan.
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans do—you must check your specific plan's documents or call the plan to know what yours covers.
- Medicare will cover a hearing test if your doctor orders it to diagnose a medical condition, but not if it is ordered solely to fit hearing aids.
- If your plan does not cover hearing aids, you may reduce out-of-pocket costs by using a hearing aid discount program or buying directly from a manufacturer.
- Hearing aids typically cost $1,000 to $6,000 per pair, depending on the technology level and features.
- Some state Medicaid programs cover hearing aids for seniors, so check your state's rules if you also receive Medicaid.
What Original Medicare covers and does not cover
Original Medicare (the plan run directly by the federal government) explicitly excludes hearing aids from coverage. This exclusion has been in place for decades and applies to all hearing aid devices, regardless of price or technology.
Medicare will cover a hearing test (called an audiological exam) only if your primary care doctor or a specialist orders it to diagnose or monitor a medical condition. For example, if you have sudden hearing loss, dizziness, or tinnitus, your doctor may order a hearing test as part of your workup. That test is covered under Medicare Part B. However, if you schedule a hearing test at an audiologist's office specifically to get fitted for hearing aids, Medicare will not cover that test.
You are responsible for the full cost of the hearing aids themselves, the fitting appointment, and any adjustments or repairs after the initial fitting. This means that even if your doctor strongly recommends hearing aids, Original Medicare will not pay for them.
How Medicare Advantage plans handle hearing aids differently
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are run by private insurance companies and can cover services that Original Medicare does not. Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing aid coverage, but the details vary dramatically from plan to plan. One plan might cover up to $2,000 per ear per year; another might cover only one hearing aid every three years; a third might not cover them at all.
The only way to know what your plan covers is to check your plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage document (usually available on the plan's website) or call the plan's customer service number. That number is on your Medicare Advantage card. When you call, ask specifically: Does the plan cover hearing aids? If yes, how much does it cover per ear per year or per hearing aid? Do I need a referral from my doctor? Is there a network of audiologists I must use, or can I see any audiologist?
If you are shopping for a Medicare Advantage plan during open enrollment, hearing aid coverage is one factor to compare. Plans that include hearing aid coverage often charge a higher monthly premium, so weigh that cost against what you expect to spend on hearing aids during the year.
What you will pay out of pocket
If your Medicare plan does not cover hearing aids, you will pay the full retail price. Hearing aids range from roughly $1,000 to $6,000 per pair, depending on the technology level. Basic analog or entry-level digital hearing aids cost less; advanced digital hearing aids with wireless connectivity, noise reduction, and directional microphones cost more.
The price usually includes the hearing aid itself, the initial fitting appointment, and a follow-up adjustment visit. Repairs, replacement parts, batteries, and additional adjustments beyond the initial fitting may cost extra. Some audiologists bundle these into an annual service plan; others charge per visit.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that covers hearing aids, you will typically pay a copay or coinsurance (a percentage of the cost) rather than the full price. Your plan documents will specify the amount. Even with coverage, you may still owe hundreds of dollars per hearing aid depending on your plan's terms.
Discount programs and direct-from-manufacturer options
If you do not have hearing aid coverage, you can reduce what you pay by using a hearing aid discount program or buying directly from a manufacturer. Some discount programs, like those offered by AARP or the Costco Hearing Aid Center, negotiate lower prices with hearing aid makers and audiologists. These programs typically cost $100 to $200 per year to join and can reduce hearing aid prices by 10 to 30 percent.
Some hearing aid manufacturers, including Lexie and Eargo, sell hearing aids online with remote fitting support, which costs less than in-person fitting at an audiologist's office. These devices are typically in the lower to mid price range ($1,500 to $3,000 per pair) and work well for mild to moderate hearing loss. They are not a good fit if you have severe hearing loss or need hands-on adjustments.
Before buying from a discount program or online, confirm that the hearing aids are FDA-cleared and that you have access to follow-up support. A hearing aid that is cheap but leaves you without help if it needs adjustment is not a bargain. Ask whether the company or program offers a trial period so you can return the hearing aids if they do not work for you.
Medicaid coverage for seniors with hearing aids
If you are 65 or older and also receive Medicaid (because your income is low), your state's Medicaid program may cover hearing aids. Medicaid rules vary by state: some states cover hearing aids for seniors; others do not. Some states cover them only for children or only for people under 65.
To find out whether your state covers hearing aids, contact your state Medicaid office or visit your state's Medicaid website. You can also call 211 (a free referral service) and ask whether your state's Medicaid program covers hearing aids for seniors. If it does, ask what the process is to get them covered—you may need a doctor's referral or prior approval from Medicaid before you buy.
Other sources of hearing aid coverage
If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) covers hearing aids for may be able to access veterans at no cost. Contact your local VA medical center or call the VA benefits line to learn whether you may have access to and how to start the process.
Some nonprofit organizations and community health centers offer low-cost or sliding-scale hearing aid services based on your income. The Hearing Loss Association of America and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association maintain directories of these clinics by state. Some audiologists also offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months or years, which can make hearing aids more affordable upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aid batteries?
No. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aid batteries, replacement parts, or repairs. If your Medicare Advantage plan covers hearing aids, check your plan documents to see whether batteries are included in that coverage. Many plans do not cover batteries separately, so you may need to buy them out of pocket.
Will Medicare pay for a hearing aid if my doctor says I need one?
No. A doctor's recommendation does not change Medicare's coverage rules. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids even with a doctor's order. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, a doctor's referral may be required to use the plan's hearing aid coverage, but the plan itself must offer that coverage first.
Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for hearing aids?
Yes. Both HSAs and FSAs allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for hearing aids and related services like fitting and adjustments. Check your plan documents or call your plan administrator to confirm, but most plans treat hearing aids as a may have access to medical expense.
What if I have both Medicare and Medicaid?
If you have both (called "dual may be able to access"), Medicaid is your secondary payer. Check your state's Medicaid rules first, because if your state covers hearing aids through Medicaid, that may be your best option. If your state's Medicaid does not cover them, your Medicare Advantage plan (if you have one) would be next to check.
Are there any new Medicare rules about hearing aids coming soon?
As of 2024, Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, and there are no announced changes to that policy. Medicare Advantage plans continue to vary in their coverage. Check your plan's website or call your plan annually during open enrollment to see whether coverage has changed.