Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but it may cover some tinnitus treatments
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay for hearing aids themselves, even if tinnitus is the reason you need them. This is a long-standing gap in Medicare coverage that affects millions of older adults. However, Medicare does cover some of the medical care related to tinnitus — such as doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and certain treatments — if a doctor determines they are medically necessary.
The distinction matters: Medicare will not pay for the device, but it may pay for the appointment where a doctor diagnoses your tinnitus or fits you for a hearing aid. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) offer hearing aid coverage as an added benefit, though the amount and type of coverage vary widely by plan and by year.
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids under any circumstances, regardless of the cause of hearing loss or tinnitus.
- Medicare Part B covers the office visit and audiological testing if your doctor orders them to diagnose or treat tinnitus.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing aid coverage as an optional benefit, typically covering $0 to $2,000 per year depending on the plan.
- If you have Original Medicare and need a hearing aid, you will pay the full cost out of pocket, though some nonprofits and state programs offer discounted devices.
- Tinnitus treatments other than hearing aids — such as sound therapy, counseling, or medication — may be covered if medically necessary and ordered by your doctor.
What Original Medicare covers for tinnitus and hearing loss
Original Medicare covers the medical evaluation of tinnitus and hearing loss. If you see your primary care doctor or an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist and they order an audiogram or other hearing test, Medicare Part B pays its share of that visit and test after you meet your deductible. The doctor's time to discuss your symptoms, review test results, and talk through treatment options is also covered.
If your doctor prescribes a hearing aid, Medicare does not pay for the device itself. You will see the audiologist's bill for the hearing aid, the fitting, and any adjustments — these are out-of-pocket costs. Some audiologists offer payment plans or discounts for Medicare patients, but there is no Medicare subsidy.
Treatments for tinnitus other than hearing aids may be covered if they are ordered by a doctor and considered medically necessary. These can include certain medications, balance testing, imaging (such as an MRI), or referrals to audiology for sound therapy or counseling. Coverage depends on whether your doctor documents medical necessity in your chart.
How Medicare Advantage plans handle hearing aids differently
Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are required to cover everything Original Medicare covers, but they can add extra benefits. Many Advantage plans now include some form of hearing aid coverage as a way to attract members. The coverage is not standardized — it varies by plan, by insurance company, and by year.
Some plans cover $500 to $2,000 per year toward hearing aids. Others cover a percentage of the cost (such as 50 percent) up to a yearly limit. A few plans cover one hearing aid per ear every few years. You need to check your specific plan's summary of benefits or call the plan directly to learn what hearing aid coverage, if any, is included in your plan for the current year.
If you are thinking about switching to a Medicare Advantage plan partly for hearing aid coverage, remember that plans change their benefits each year. A plan that covers hearing aids this year may reduce or drop that benefit next year. Ask the plan representative what the coverage has been in past years and whether they have announced changes for the coming year.
What you will pay out of pocket for a hearing aid
Hearing aid prices vary widely depending on the technology, the brand, and where you buy them. Basic hearing aids may cost $500 to $1,500 per ear. More advanced models with wireless features, noise reduction, or rechargeable batteries can cost $2,000 to $6,000 per ear or more. Most people need two hearing aids (one for each ear), so the total cost can be substantial.
The price usually includes the device itself, the initial fitting, a trial period (often 30 days), and follow-up adjustments for the first year. After that, you may pay separately for batteries, repairs, or adjustments. Some audiologists bundle these into an annual maintenance fee.
If cost is a barrier, look into programs that may reduce the price. The Hearing Loss Association of America maintains a list of manufacturers' information programs. Some state vocational rehabilitation agencies offer hearing aids to working-age adults. Nonprofit organizations and community health centers sometimes offer discounted or refurbished hearing aids. Your local Area Agency on Aging can point you toward these resources.
Tinnitus treatments that Medicare may cover
Tinnitus itself — the ringing, buzzing, or hissing sound in your ears — is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition. Treating the cause (such as hearing loss, high blood pressure, or earwax buildup) sometimes reduces tinnitus. Medicare covers treatment of these underlying conditions if medically necessary.
Sound therapy and tinnitus retraining therapy (TRT) are behavioral approaches that can help you manage tinnitus. If your doctor refers you to an audiologist for these services, Medicare Part B may cover the audiologist's time, though coverage depends on how the service is billed and whether the audiologist is enrolled in Medicare. Some audiology services are covered; others are not. Ask your audiologist whether they are a Medicare provider before you schedule.
Certain medications may help reduce tinnitus symptoms or the distress it causes. If your doctor prescribes a medication for tinnitus (such as an antidepressant or anti-anxiety drug), Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) covers it if the drug is on your plan's formulary. The medication itself is not a hearing aid, so it falls under drug coverage rather than the hearing aid exclusion.
How to find out what your specific plan covers
The only way to know exactly what your plan covers is to check your plan documents or call your plan directly. If you have Original Medicare, you can assume hearing aids are not covered, but you can confirm that audiology visits and hearing tests are covered by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, look at your plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC), which is mailed to you each fall during open enrollment. The SBC lists hearing aid coverage under "Hearing Services" or "Durable Medical Equipment." If you cannot find it or the language is unclear, call your plan's member services number (on your insurance card) and ask directly: "Does my plan cover hearing aids, and if so, how much per year?"
Keep in mind that Medicare Advantage plans can change their benefits each year. Even if your plan covers hearing aids this year, that coverage may change next year. During the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7), you can switch plans if your current plan drops a benefit you need.
Steps to take if you think you have tinnitus
Start by seeing your primary care doctor. Describe when the tinnitus started, what it sounds like, whether it is in one ear or both, and whether it is constant or comes and goes. Your doctor will examine your ears, check your blood pressure, and review your medications — some drugs can cause tinnitus as a side effect.
If your doctor thinks hearing loss may be involved, they will refer you to an audiologist for a hearing test. This test is covered by Medicare Part B. The audiologist will measure your hearing in different frequencies and discuss whether a hearing aid would help. If you decide to pursue a hearing aid, you will pay for it out of pocket unless your Medicare Advantage plan covers it.
If your doctor suspects a more serious cause (such as a blood vessel problem or a tumor), they may order imaging or refer you to an ENT specialist. These services are covered by Medicare if medically necessary. Do not delay seeing a doctor because of cost — tinnitus can sometimes signal a treatable condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Medicare ever cover hearing aids?
Original Medicare has not covered hearing aids since the program began in 1965, and there is no current plan to change that policy. However, Congress has discussed hearing aid coverage in the past, and some Medicare Advantage plans now include it as a competitive benefit. If coverage becomes important to you, check your Advantage plan's benefits each year during open enrollment.
If I have tinnitus in only one ear, does that change what Medicare covers?
No. Medicare's exclusion of hearing aids applies regardless of whether you have hearing loss in one ear or both. However, if tinnitus in one ear is caused by a specific medical condition (such as an infection or a blood vessel problem), treatment of that condition may be covered. Your doctor will determine whether imaging or specialist care is medically necessary.
Can I use a hearing aid from a big-box store or online instead of an audiologist?
Yes, and it may cost less. Over-the-counter hearing aids are now available without a prescription and typically cost $500 to $1,500 per pair. They work for mild to moderate hearing loss. However, they do not come with professional fitting or ongoing adjustments. If you choose this route, you will still pay out of pocket — Medicare does not cover over-the-counter devices either.
Does Medicare cover cochlear implants for tinnitus?
Cochlear implants are surgically implanted devices for severe hearing loss. Medicare covers the surgery and implant if medically necessary and if you meet strict criteria (usually profound bilateral hearing loss). Tinnitus alone is not a reason for a cochlear implant. Your ENT doctor will determine whether you are a candidate based on your hearing loss, not your tinnitus.
What if I cannot afford a hearing aid and have Original Medicare?
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to ask about state programs, nonprofit organizations, or community health centers that offer discounted or refurbished hearing aids. The Hearing Loss Association of America also lists manufacturer information programs. Some hearing aid companies offer payment plans. Your audiologist may also know of local resources or discounts for uninsured or underinsured patients.