Medicare's hearing aid coverage in 2024
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover hearing aids or routine hearing exams. This has been true for decades and remains unchanged in 2024. If you have Original Medicare, you pay the full cost of hearing aids out of pocket, which typically ranges from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars per pair depending on the type and features.
However, some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) do cover hearing aids, and the rules changed in 2022 in a way that affects what you might find in 2024. The change came from a shift in how Medicare Advantage plans can structure their benefits. You need to check your specific plan's coverage document to know whether yours includes hearing aids and what the limits are.
Medicare Part B does cover a diagnostic hearing exam if your doctor orders it to figure out whether you have a medical problem — not a routine hearing test to see if you need hearing aids. Your doctor must refer you to an audiologist or otolaryngologist, and Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount after you meet your Part B deductible. The exam itself is not the same as a hearing aid fitting.
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids or routine hearing tests, and you will pay the full cost yourself.
- Some Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids, but coverage varies widely by plan and by year, so you must check your plan documents.
- Medicare Part B covers a diagnostic hearing exam ordered by your doctor, but only if it is medically necessary to diagnose a condition, not for routine screening.
- If your plan does not cover hearing aids, you can look into state programs, nonprofit organizations, and hearing aid manufacturer information programs that may reduce your cost.
How to learn about your Medicare Advantage plan covers hearing aids
Start with your plan's Summary of Benefits and Coverage document, which your plan mails to you each fall during the Annual Enrollment Period. This document lists what is and is not covered. Search for the word "hearing" or look in the section on durable medical equipment or preventive services. If you cannot find the answer there, call the customer service number on the back of your Medicare Advantage card and ask directly: "Does my plan cover hearing aids, and if so, what is the limit per ear or per year?"
When you call, also ask whether you need a referral from your primary care doctor, whether you must use a network provider, and whether there is a copay or coinsurance. Some plans cover hearing aids only if an audiologist or doctor orders them as medically necessary, not for routine age-related hearing loss. Others have a dollar limit per year or per hearing aid. Getting these details now prevents surprises later.
If you are turning 65 soon or switching plans during open enrollment, you can compare hearing aid coverage across plans before you choose. Use the Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE to speak with a counselor who can tell you which plans in your area cover hearing aids.
What Original Medicare covers instead
If you have Original Medicare and need a hearing aid, Medicare will not pay for it, but Part B does cover the diagnostic exam that determines whether you need one. Your primary care doctor can refer you to an audiologist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Medicare pays 80 percent of the approved amount for the exam after your Part B deductible is met. You pay the remaining 20 percent.
Once the exam is done and you know you need a hearing aid, you are on your own for the cost. This is where other resources come in. Some states run hearing aid information programs for older adults with low incomes. The Hearing Loss Association of America maintains a state-by-state directory of these programs on its website. You can also contact your local Area Agency on Aging to ask what programs exist in your state.
Hearing aid manufacturers like Phonak, Widex, and Oticon sometimes offer patient information programs that reduce the cost of their devices. Some audiologists also offer payment plans or discounts for cash-paying patients. It is worth asking what options exist before you assume you cannot afford a hearing aid.
Medicare Advantage plans and hearing aid coverage
Medicare Advantage plans are allowed to cover services that Original Medicare does not, including hearing aids. In recent years, more plans have added hearing aid benefits as a way to attract members. However, coverage is not standard across all plans, and it changes from year to year.
Some plans cover hearing aids with a copay (for example, $500 per hearing aid). Others cover them with coinsurance, meaning you pay a percentage of the cost. A few plans cover hearing aids with no copay or coinsurance but limit how often you can get a new pair — for example, once every three years. Some plans do not cover hearing aids at all.
If hearing aid coverage is important to you, make it a priority when you choose a plan during open enrollment. Ask the plan directly whether coverage will continue next year, because plans can change their benefits. Also ask whether the plan covers both ears or just one, and whether it covers the exam, the device, or both.
Other ways to pay for hearing aids
If your plan does not cover hearing aids or you have Original Medicare, several other sources may help reduce the cost. State hearing aid programs exist in most states and are usually run by the Department of Health or Department of Aging. These programs typically serve people over 60 with limited income. may be able to access and benefits vary by state, so contact your state health department or Area Agency on Aging to learn what is available where you live.
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) offers a directory of state programs and also publishes information about hearing aid costs and options. Some local chapters of HLAA hold events where you can meet audiologists and learn about discounts. The organization does not provide the hearing aids themselves, but it connects you to resources.
Hearing aid manufacturers offer information programs for people who cannot afford their devices. Phonak, Widex, Oticon, Signia, and ReSound all have programs that may reduce your out-of-pocket cost based on income. You typically explore through the manufacturer's website or through an audiologist who fits their devices. Processing can take several weeks.
Some nonprofit organizations and community health centers also help pay for hearing aids. The Lions Club, for example, has a long history of funding hearing aids for people in need. Local Rotary clubs and churches sometimes have information funds as well. Your Area Agency on Aging can point you toward organizations in your community.
What to ask your doctor or audiologist
Before you buy a hearing aid, ask your doctor or audiologist these questions: Is a hearing aid medically necessary, or is this for age-related hearing loss? (This matters for some insurance plans.) What type of hearing aid do you recommend, and why? What is the total cost, including the device, fitting, and follow-up visits? Does the price include a trial period, and can I return it if it does not work for me? How long do the batteries last, or does it use a rechargeable battery? What is the warranty, and what does it cover?
Also ask whether the audiologist offers payment plans, discounts for cash payment, or refurbished devices at lower cost. Some audiologists work with hearing aid manufacturers' information programs and can help you explore. If cost is a barrier, say so — audiologists often know about local resources and may be able to point you toward programs you have not heard of.
When to seek care for hearing loss
If you notice you are turning up the television louder than others like it, having trouble hearing conversations in noisy places, or asking people to repeat themselves often, talk to your primary care doctor. Hearing loss can develop gradually and is straightforward to overlook. Your doctor can refer you for a hearing exam and help you figure out next steps.
Untreated hearing loss is linked to isolation, depression, and cognitive decline in older adults, so it is worth taking seriously. Even if you cannot afford a hearing aid right now, getting a baseline hearing test helps you track changes over time and gives you information to share with your doctor at future visits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Part D cover hearing aids?
No. Part D covers prescription drugs only, not medical devices like hearing aids. If your Medicare Advantage plan covers hearing aids, that coverage comes from the plan's medical benefits, not from Part D.
Can I use a Flexible Spending Account or Health Savings Account to pay for hearing aids?
If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) through a high-deductible health plan, you can use it to pay for hearing aids. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) also cover hearing aids, but most people over 65 on Medicare do not have an FSA. Ask your plan or employer whether you have an HSA or FSA available.
What if I buy hearing aids out of state where they are cheaper?
You can buy hearing aids anywhere, but you will need local follow-up care for adjustments and repairs. Most audiologists will work with devices you bought elsewhere, though some charge a fitting fee. Ask an audiologist in your area whether they will support a device you purchase elsewhere before you buy.
Are there hearing aids that cost less than $1,000?
Yes. Over-the-counter hearing aids became available in 2022 and cost between $200 and $1,000 per pair. These are not as powerful as prescription hearing aids and work best for mild to moderate hearing loss. Talk to your doctor or audiologist about whether an over-the-counter device might work for you before you buy.
Can I change my Medicare Advantage plan if it does not cover hearing aids?
Yes, during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 to December 7 each year), you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare. If hearing aid coverage is important to you, use this time to compare plans. You can also switch back to Original Medicare if you prefer, though you cannot get Medigap coverage for pre-existing conditions if you wait more than 63 days after leaving Medicare Advantage.