Medicare Part B covers some hearing services, but not the devices themselves
Medicare will pay for a hearing test ordered by your doctor and a one-time evaluation by an audiologist, but it does not cover the cost of hearing aids. This has been true for decades. Part B covers the professional assessment—the appointment where an audiologist measures your hearing loss and discusses what you need—but once you decide to buy a device, you pay the full price out of pocket.
The reason is historical and bureaucratic rather than medical. When Medicare was created in 1965, hearing aids were considered a routine personal device, similar to eyeglasses. Congress decided to exclude them from coverage, and that decision has never changed, even though hearing loss is a documented health condition that affects balance, cognition, and social connection in older adults.
What this means in practice: if your doctor refers you to an audiologist because you are having trouble hearing, Medicare covers that visit. If the audiologist recommends a hearing aid, you then face the cost alone—typically between $1,000 and $6,000 per device, depending on the type and features.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Part B covers the hearing test and audiologist evaluation, but not the hearing aid itself or the fitting.
- Medigap supplemental plans do not cover hearing aids either, though some offer small discounts through partner networks.
- Medicare Advantage plans sometimes include hearing aid coverage or discounts, so you should check your specific plan's benefits.
- Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, and state aging programs may cover hearing aids if you meet their income and service requirements.
- Manufacturer programs, nonprofit organizations, and hearing aid retailers often offer payment plans or reduced-cost options for people with limited income.
What Medicare Part B actually covers for hearing
Your doctor can order a hearing test, and Medicare Part B will pay for it at 80 percent after you meet your deductible. This is a basic screening, usually done in a primary care office or a hospital outpatient department. It takes a few minutes and tells you whether your hearing has changed.
If your doctor refers you to an audiologist for a more detailed evaluation, Medicare Part B covers that too—again at 80 percent after your deductible. The audiologist will do a comprehensive test in a soundproof booth, measure your hearing across different frequencies, and discuss what type of device might help. This appointment is where you learn what your options are and what each one costs.
What Medicare does not cover: the hearing aid itself, the fitting appointment, the programming of the device, adjustments, repairs, batteries, or replacement parts. Once the audiologist recommends a device, you are on your own financially.
Why Medigap plans don't fill this gap
Medigap supplemental insurance is designed to cover costs that Medicare Part B leaves behind—copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. However, federal law prevents Medigap plans from covering anything that Medicare does not cover. Since Medicare excludes hearing aids, Medigap plans cannot cover them either.
Some Medigap insurers partner with hearing aid retailers to offer discounts—typically 10 to 20 percent off the retail price—but this is a discount arrangement, not insurance coverage. You still pay out of pocket; you straightforward pay less. Ask your Medigap insurer whether they have a hearing aid discount program and what retailers participate.
Medicare Advantage plans may include hearing benefits
Unlike Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) are run by private insurance companies and can offer benefits that Original Medicare does not. Some Advantage plans include hearing aid coverage or significant discounts. The amount and type of coverage vary widely by plan and by year.
If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, check your plan's Summary of Benefits or call the plan directly to ask whether hearing aids are covered and, if so, how much you would pay. Coverage might include one or both devices per year, a dollar limit on what the plan will pay, or a requirement that you use an in-network audiologist.
If you are considering switching to a Medicare Advantage plan partly for hearing coverage, remember that you can change plans only during the annual enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) or if you have a may have access to life event. Check the plan's coverage details before you enroll.
Medicaid and state programs that may cover hearing aids
If your income is low enough to may have access to for Medicaid, your state's Medicaid program may cover hearing aids. Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal government and each state, so coverage rules differ by state. Some states cover hearing aids for all adults; others cover them only for children or only for people under a certain age; some do not cover them at all.
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 for information about hearing aid coverage in your area.
Some states also run aging programs that offer hearing aid support to older adults with limited income. These programs are separate from Medicaid and may have different income limits. Your Area Agency on Aging can tell you what programs exist in your county.
Veterans Affairs and other federal programs
If you are a veteran, the Department of Veterans Affairs covers hearing aids as part of VA health benefits. You do not need to be enrolled in VA health care to receive hearing aids through the VA—you can explore for VA benefits specifically for this purpose. The VA typically covers two hearing aids per ear and provides ongoing adjustments and repairs.
To start, contact your nearest VA medical center or call the VA benefits hotline at 1-800-827-1000. You will need to provide proof of military service (your DD Form 214 or equivalent discharge papers).
If you are a federal employee or retiree, your health plan may cover hearing aids. Check your plan documents or contact your plan's customer service line.
Manufacturer programs and nonprofit options
Hearing aid manufacturers—Phonak, Widex, Starkey, ReSound, and others—often run programs that reduce the cost of devices for people with limited income. Some offer devices at a discount; others donate devices to nonprofit organizations that distribute them. These programs have different income limits and process processes.
Nonprofit organizations that work with hearing loss also help connect people to reduced-cost or donated devices. The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) maintains a list of local chapters and can point you toward programs in your area. The Lions Club, which has a long history of supporting hearing health, also runs hearing aid programs in many communities.
Hearing aid retailers sometimes offer payment plans that let you spread the cost over several months or years, with or without interest. Ask your audiologist or retailer what payment options they offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Medicare ever cover hearing aids?
Congress would have to change the law for Medicare to cover hearing aids. There have been proposals to do this, but no change has been made. For now, hearing aids remain excluded from Medicare coverage. Check your Medicare Advantage plan, as some include hearing benefits.
Does my Medigap plan cover hearing aids?
No. Federal law prevents Medigap plans from covering anything Medicare does not cover. However, your Medigap insurer may offer a discount program with hearing aid retailers. Call your plan to ask.
Can I deduct hearing aids on my taxes?
Hearing aids are a deductible medical expense if you itemize deductions on your federal tax return and your total medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. Keep your receipts and ask a tax professional whether you meet the threshold.
What if I can't afford a hearing aid?
Start by calling 211 or your Area Agency on Aging to learn what programs exist in your state. Ask your audiologist about manufacturer programs and payment plans. If you are a veteran, contact the VA. If your income is very low, check whether you may have access to for Medicaid in your state.
Do hearing aid prices vary, and can I shop around?
Yes, prices vary significantly by retailer, brand, and features. Some audiologists work for large chains; others are independent. Get quotes from at least two providers before you decide. Ask whether the price includes the fitting, programming, adjustments, and a trial period.