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How to Pay for Hearing Aids
Whether you’re considering budget-friendly OTC hearing aids or advanced prescription devices, payment options vary based on cost, insurance coverage, and financing plans.
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At a glance:
- Hearing aids can be expensive, but several payment options may help reduce costs, including insurance benefits, Medicare Advantage plans, and VA coverage for eligible veterans.
- Nonprofit organizations and community assistance programs may provide free or discounted hearing aids to qualifying low-income individuals.
- Financing plans, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) can help make hearing aids costs more manageable over time.
If you’ve been diagnosed with hearing loss, you may have discovered that hearing aids can be more expensive than expected. Advanced features such as Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable batteries, and AI-powered sound adjustments can increase costs, but financial assistance programs and financing options may help offset them. Understanding how to pay for hearing aids is an important part of protecting your long-term hearing health, since affordable access to hearing care can help prevent communication difficulties and improve overall quality of life.
Below are several ways to help pay for hearing aids and hearing-related care.
Ways to Pay for Hearing Aids
First, review your insurance coverage to determine whether hearing exams, hearing aids, or related services are included. You can also research community programs, nonprofit organizations, and financing options that may help reduce costs.
1. Insurance
Hearing aid coverage varies widely depending on your insurance provider and plan. Some plans partially cover hearing exams, hearing aids, fittings, or follow-up services. Private insurance plans may offer hearing aid allowances, discounted pricing through preferred providers, or separate hearing care benefits.
If you are unsure about your coverage, contact your insurance provider directly to ask about hearing aid benefits, provider networks, and reimbursement options.
2. Medicare
Original Medicare generally does not cover hearing aids, but it may cover certain medically necessary hearing-related services. Routine hearing exams and hearing aids are usually not covered under Original Medicare, meaning beneficiaries are typically responsible for the full cost.
If a doctor orders a diagnostic hearing exam to evaluate a medical condition, Medicare Part B may cover a portion of the testing costs after deductibles and coinsurance. Original Medicare does not currently cover hearing aids or hearing aid fittings.
3. Medicare Advantage
Many Medicare Advantage plans include some level of hearing aid coverage, although benefits vary by plan. Some plans also cover hearing exams, fittings, and balance testing considered medically necessary.
However, not all Medicare Advantage plans (HMOs and PPOs) cover hearing aids or routine hearing care, so it’s important to review coverage details carefully. Using in-network providers may help lower out-of-pocket costs. Copays, coinsurance, deductibles, and annual benefit limits may still apply.
Keep in mind: Some Medicare Advantage plans also charge an additional monthly premium on top of the standard Medicare Part B premium. Also, Part C plans may help cover hearing aids and related services, depending on the specific policy, and support better long-term hearing health.
4. VA Benefits
Eligible veterans may qualify for hearing aids, batteries, and hearing care services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA may provide hearing services to veterans who meet one or more eligibility requirements, including:
- A veteran with any service-connected disability.
- A permanently housebound veteran who requires regular aid and attendance, and who qualifies for an increased pension.
- Purple Heart recipients
- Former Prisoners of War
- A veteran with a hearing impairment resulting from a disease or other medical condition for which they are receiving care or disability services from the VA.
- A veteran with significant functional or cognitive impairment that affects activities of daily living.
- A veteran with hearing impairment severe enough to interfere with participation in medical treatment or daily functioning.
To receive benefits, veterans must first enroll in VA health care. Enrollment can typically be completed online, by mail, by phone, or in person at a VA medical facility.
Once enrolled, veterans can schedule an appointment with a VA audiologist for evaluation and hearing care. Hearing aid coverage and ongoing services depend on continued eligibility for VA health benefits.
5. Nonprofits
Sertoma
Sertoma is a nonprofit organization that helps connect individuals with hearing aid assistance resources by state. Sertoma’s Hearing Aid Recycling Program (SHARP) collects donated hearing aids and helps provide refurbished devices to eligible individuals. Some programs may require application or service fees.
Hearing Charities of America
Hearing Charities of America’s National Hearing Aid Project helps provide hearing aids and related services to qualifying low-income individuals. The project partners with organizations across the United States to improve access to hearing care. Hearing aids donated through the program are refurbished and distributed to approved applicants. Accepted applicants may receive hearing aids, fittings, follow-up appointments, and additional hearing support services.
Help America Hear
Help America Hear provides new hearing aids to those with the greatest financial need. The program is only available to those with limited income who have exhausted other means of paying for their hearing aids.
6. Discount/Assistance Programs
Hear Now
Hear Now is an application-based hearing assistance program supported by Starkey. The program helps eligible low-income individuals access hearing aids and hearing care services. Qualified applicants may receive digital hearing aids tailored to their hearing needs. The program works with hearing care professionals across the country to provide fittings and follow-up support.
Miracle-Ear Foundation
The Miracle-Ear Foundation’s Gift of Sound program helps eligible individuals receive free hearing aids and hearing care services. Recipients may also receive follow-up care, fittings, and certain hearing aid repairs.
Local and Community-Based Programs
Local organizations such as Lions Club, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, or Kiwanis Clubs may also offer hearing aid assistance or referrals to community hearing services.
7. Financing
Many hearing aid companies and retailers offer financing options directly to consumers. These programs allow buyers to spread out hearing aid costs through monthly payments, sometimes with promotional low- or no-interest financing. Some hearing aid brands and retailers offer financing through third-party lenders or subscription-style payment plans, including:
- Eargo offers financing plans that may including promotional 0% APR period for qualified buyers. Terms and eligibility requirements vary by financing provider.
- Audicus offers financing options through third-party financing providers. Some financing providers may offer promotional no-interest payment plans for qualified applicants. Financing availability and approval requirements depend on the lender and individual credit qualifications.
- Lexie offers payment plan options that allow customers to pay for hearing aids over time.
8. FSA and HSA Savings Plans
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) can typically be used to pay for eligible hearing care expenses, including hearing aids and batteries. FSAs allow employees to set aside pre-tax money for qualified medical expenses, although unused funds may expire at the end of the plan year, depending on employer rules. Because FSAs are employer-sponsored benefits, they are generally unavailable to retirees without qualifying employer coverage.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can also be used for eligible hearing-related expenses, including hearing aids and batteries. An HSA functions like a tax-advantaged savings account that allows individuals with qualifying high-deductible health plans to save pre-tax money for medical expenses, including copays, deductibles, and hearing care costs. HSAs are only available to people enrolled in eligible high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). Unlike FSAs, unused HSA funds generally roll over from year to year.
IRS Publication 502 provides additional details about eligible medical expenses that may qualify for FSA or HSA reimbursement.
9. OTC Hearing Aids
Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids may provide a lower-cost alternative for adults with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Because these devices are sold directly to consumers without a prescription, they are often significantly less expensive than traditional prescription hearing aids.
Many OTC hearing aids include modern features such as Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable batteries, smartphone app controls, and customizable sound settings. However, they may not be appropriate for severe hearing loss or complex hearing conditions.
How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost?
The cost of hearing aids varies widely, with over-the-counter (OTC) devices sometimes costing a few hundred dollars per pair and premium prescription models costing several thousand dollars per pair. Pricing depends on technology level, included services, and whether you’re purchasing hearing aids OTC or through a hearing care provider. OTC hearing aids are generally more affordable because they do not include bundled professional fitting and follow-up services.
Hearing aid costs also vary based on brand, style, sound-processing technology, and added features. Some companies price hearing aids individually rather than as a pair. If you need hearing aids for both ears, the total costs may be higher than the advertised price.
You may also want to compare OTC hearing aids and prescription hearing aids to determine which option best fits your hearing needs and budget.
Bottom Line
Paying for hearing aids often involves combining insurance benefits, assistance programs, savings accounts, or financing options. If you have private insurance, Medicare Advantage, or VA benefits, part of your hearing care costs may be covered depending on your eligibility and plan details. People with limited income may also qualify for nonprofit or community assistance programs. If coverage is limited, financing plans, OTC hearing aids, or discount programs may help make hearing care more affordable.
For more guidance, explore our reviews of the best hearing aids and OTC hearing aid brands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About How to Pay for Hearing Aids
If you cannot afford hearing aids, there are programs that may help reduce costs or even provide them for free. Some Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid programs, VA benefits, warranty protections, private insurance companies, non-profit organizations, and local groups may provide support for obtaining hearing aids. You might also opt for over-the-counter hearing aids, which are less expensive than prescription ones.
There are many ways people obtain hearing aids. These include private health insurance, Medicare Advantage plan benefits, Veterans Affairs coverage, payment plans, and out-of-pocket payments. Others might make use of Flexible Spending Accounts and/or Health Savings Accounts to pay for qualifying hearing care services tax-free. Those with less money to spend may be able to receive hearing aids for free or at a reduced cost from nonprofits.
There is significant variation in hearing aid prices based on factors such as whether the hearing aid is an OTC or prescription device and the extent of technology incorporated. The price of OTC hearing aids may be anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars per pair, while prescription hearing aids can range from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more.
Yes, hearing aids qualify as eligible expenses for both HSAs and FSAs. For instance, expenses for hearing aid batteries, hearing tests, and even hearing aid fittings may be eligible. Using money from an HSA or an FSA can save money because the funds are pre-tax.
Yes, some hearing aid manufacturers, audiology centers, and even retailers offer various financing plans that let you pay for hearing aids in small monthly installments. Financing can come from programs offering low-interest rates and sometimes no interest at all for qualifying customers, while other plans use external financing sources, such as CareCredit.
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