Medicare Part B covers a hearing test ordered by your doctor, but only if it is medically necessary — not for routine screening
Medicare Part B will pay for a hearing test (called an audiological assessment) when your doctor orders it to diagnose or manage a medical condition. The test must be performed by an audiologist or other may have access to provider, and your doctor must refer you. You pay 20 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible; Medicare pays the rest.
What Medicare does not cover is a hearing test done for screening purposes — meaning a test to check your hearing when you have no symptoms or medical reason. If you want a routine hearing check and your doctor does not order it as part of treating a condition, you pay the full cost yourself. Many audiologists charge $100 to $300 for a comprehensive hearing test.
The distinction matters because it determines whether Medicare shares the cost. A test ordered by your doctor for dizziness, tinnitus, or suspected hearing loss related to diabetes or heart disease is medically necessary. A test because you think your hearing might be getting worse, without a doctor's order, is not.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part B covers a hearing test only when your doctor orders it to diagnose or treat a medical condition, not for routine screening.
- You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost after your Part B deductible; the rest is covered by Medicare.
- Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans may offer limited coverage or discounts.
- Your doctor must refer you to a may have access to audiologist or provider for the test to be covered.
- If you want a hearing test without a doctor's order, you pay the full cost out of pocket.
How to get a hearing test covered by Medicare
Start by talking to your primary care doctor about your hearing concerns. Describe what you are noticing — difficulty hearing conversations, trouble with phone calls, needing the television louder, or ringing in your ears. Your doctor will decide whether a hearing test is medically necessary for your situation.
If your doctor agrees, they will write a referral to an audiologist or other may have access to provider. You can then schedule the test. When you arrive, bring your Medicare card and your referral. The provider will bill Medicare directly. You will owe your 20 percent coinsurance and any amount above the Medicare-approved fee, depending on whether the provider accepts Medicare assignment.
If your doctor does not think a hearing test is medically necessary, Medicare will not cover it. In that case, you can still get a hearing test from an audiologist or hearing aid dispenser and pay out of pocket, but Medicare will not share the cost.
What Medicare does not cover for hearing
Medicare Part B does not cover hearing aids, fitting appointments, or adjustments. This is one of the largest gaps in Medicare coverage. A single hearing aid can cost $1,000 to $6,000 depending on the technology, and most people need two.
Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) do offer hearing aid coverage or discounts, but the amount and type of coverage varies widely by plan and by year. If hearing aid coverage matters to you, check your plan's summary of coverage or call the plan directly to ask what is included.
Medicare also does not cover routine hearing tests for screening, cerumen removal (earwax cleaning) performed by an audiologist, or hearing-related counseling or rehabilitation.
When your doctor might order a hearing test
Your doctor is most likely to order a hearing test if you report hearing loss symptoms or if you have a condition that can affect hearing. These include diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, and certain medications (like some chemotherapy drugs or antibiotics). Hearing loss is also common after age 65, and some doctors order a baseline test to track changes over time.
If you have had a head injury, ear infection, or sudden hearing loss, your doctor will likely order a test to understand what happened. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and vertigo (dizziness) are also reasons a doctor might refer you for testing.
Age alone is not a reason Medicare will cover a hearing test. You must have a symptom or condition that prompts your doctor to order one.
What happens after your hearing test
The audiologist will give you the results, usually in the form of an audiogram — a chart showing how well you hear at different pitches and volumes. They will explain what the results mean and whether you have hearing loss.
If you do have hearing loss, the audiologist may recommend hearing aids. At that point, you will need to decide whether to pursue them. Medicare does not cover the cost, but you can explore other options: some states have hearing aid information programs, some nonprofits offer discounts, and some hearing aid companies have payment plans.
Keep a copy of your test results. If you later decide to get hearing aids from a different provider, you can share your audiogram with them rather than paying for another test.
Medicare Advantage and hearing coverage
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, your coverage for hearing tests and hearing aids may be different. Some Advantage plans cover hearing tests without requiring a doctor's order, and some offer a hearing aid allowance (typically $500 to $2,000 per year) or discounts with partner providers.
The coverage is not the same across all plans or all years. You can check your plan's coverage by reviewing the Summary of Coverage document you received when you enrolled, or by calling the plan's customer service number on your insurance card. If you are thinking about switching plans during open enrollment, hearing coverage is worth comparing.
Other ways to pay for hearing tests and aids
If Medicare does not cover your hearing test or you want a test without a doctor's order, you have options. Many audiologists offer discounted rates for uninsured patients, and some community health centers offer low-cost or sliding-scale hearing tests.
For hearing aids, some states run hearing aid information programs that provide discounted or free aids to low-income older adults. The Hearing Loss Association of America maintains a state-by-state directory. Some nonprofit organizations also offer grants or discounts. Costco, Sam's Club, and other retailers offer hearing aids at lower prices than independent audiologists, though the selection is more limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor's referral to get a hearing test covered by Medicare?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers a hearing test only when your doctor orders it as medically necessary. You cannot schedule a test on your own and have Medicare cover it. Your doctor must write the referral.
Will Medicare cover a hearing test if I have Medicare Advantage?
It depends on your plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing tests without a doctor's order, while others follow the same rules as Original Medicare. Check your plan's coverage document or call the plan to ask what is included.
What if my doctor says I do not need a hearing test but I think I do?
You can still get a hearing test from an audiologist and pay out of pocket. Many audiologists charge $100 to $300 for a comprehensive test. If you later decide to pursue hearing aids, that test result will be useful to the hearing aid provider.
Can I get a hearing aid through Medicare?
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited coverage or discounts, so check your plan. You may also find information through state programs, nonprofits, or retailers like Costco.
If my hearing test is covered, do I have to pay anything?
Yes. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved cost after you meet your Part B deductible. If the provider does not accept Medicare assignment, you may owe additional charges above the approved amount.