Medicare's hearing aid coverage is limited — Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids at all, but some Medicare Advantage plans do
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay for hearing aids or the exams to fit them. This has been true for decades and remains unchanged. However, Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) vary widely — some cover hearing aids, some cover only the exam, and some cover nothing. The amount you pay depends entirely on which plan you have and what that plan's rules are.
The key difference: if you have Original Medicare alone, you pay the full cost of hearing aids out of pocket. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to check your plan's summary of benefits or call the plan directly to learn what hearing aid coverage, if any, is included.
Key Takeaways
- Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or hearing exams, and this rule has not changed.
- Medicare Advantage plans may cover hearing aids, but coverage varies by plan and by year — you must check your specific plan's documents.
- Some plans cover the hearing exam but not the aids themselves, or cover aids only up to a set dollar amount per ear.
- If you need hearing aids, contact your plan's customer service line before buying to learn what your out-of-pocket cost will be.
How Original Medicare handles hearing aids
Original Medicare covers many medical services and supplies, but hearing aids are explicitly excluded. This means Medicare will not pay any part of the cost of a hearing aid device, whether it is a behind-the-ear model, an in-the-ear model, or any other type. The exclusion applies to all beneficiaries on Original Medicare, regardless of age or medical need.
Hearing exams are also not covered by Original Medicare. If you want an audiologist or hearing aid specialist to test your hearing and recommend a device, you pay that cost yourself. Some primary care doctors can do basic hearing screening at a regular visit, but a full audiological evaluation is not a covered service.
If you have Original Medicare and need hearing aids, you have two main paths: pay out of pocket, or check whether you may have access to for hearing aid programs through your state, local health department, or nonprofit organizations. Some states run programs that provide hearing aids at reduced cost to seniors with limited income.
What Medicare Advantage plans may cover
Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurance companies and must cover everything Original Medicare covers, but they can add extra benefits. Many plans add hearing aid coverage as one of those extras. However, the coverage is not standardized — one plan might cover $500 per ear per year, another might cover $1,000 per ear every two years, and another might cover nothing.
Some Medicare Advantage plans cover only the hearing exam, not the aids. Others cover the aids but require you to use an audiologist or hearing aid provider in their network. A few plans cover both the exam and the aids with little or no cost to you, but these are less common and usually available only in certain geographic areas.
Coverage also changes from year to year. A plan that covered hearing aids in 2023 might not in 2024, or the dollar limit might drop. This is why you cannot rely on last year's plan documents — you need to check the current year's information before you buy.
How to find out what your plan covers
The fastest way is to call your Medicare Advantage plan's customer service number. This number is on your insurance card. Tell them you want to know about hearing aid coverage and ask these specific questions: Does the plan cover hearing aids? If yes, how much per ear and how often? Do you have to use a provider in the plan's network? Is there a copay or coinsurance? Does the plan cover the hearing exam?
Write down the answers and ask the representative to send you a written summary by email or mail. This creates a record of what you were told, which matters if there is a dispute later.
You can also look up your plan's coverage online. Log into your plan's website or visit Medicare.gov, find your plan, and look for the "Summary of Benefits and Coverage" document. This document lists what is and is not covered. Search for "hearing" on the page. If you cannot find the information or the document is unclear, call customer service — do not guess.
What hearing aids cost without insurance
A single hearing aid typically costs between $1,000 and $6,000, depending on the technology level and features. Most people need two aids (one for each ear), so the total can range from $2,000 to $12,000 or more. These prices are what you would pay if you bought directly from an audiologist or hearing aid company with no insurance coverage.
Some hearing aid companies offer payment plans or discounts for seniors. Costco and Sam's Club sell hearing aids at lower prices than many independent audiologists. Online retailers sell cheaper models, but these usually do not include the fitting and adjustment services that make a hearing aid work well for your specific hearing loss.
If your Medicare Advantage plan covers hearing aids, your out-of-pocket cost will be much lower — often $0 to $500 per ear, depending on the plan. This is one reason to check your coverage before you buy.
Other ways to pay for hearing aids if Medicare does not cover them
If you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan that does not cover hearing aids, several other options exist. Your state may run a hearing aid program for seniors with limited income — contact your state health department or your local Area Agency on Aging to ask. Some nonprofits, including the Hearing Loss Association of America, maintain lists of programs in your state.
Medicaid covers hearing aids in some states but not others, and the rules vary widely. If you have both Medicare and Medicaid (called "dual may be able to access"), ask your Medicaid office whether hearing aids are covered in your state. Veterans may be covered through the VA. If you are a member of a union or professional organization, check whether they offer hearing aid discounts to members.
Some audiologists offer reduced rates for uninsured patients or for patients who pay in full upfront. It never hurts to ask. Hearing aid manufacturers sometimes run rebate programs or offer older models at lower prices.
When to get your hearing tested
If you think you have hearing loss, do not wait to find out whether your plan covers aids. Get your hearing tested first. A hearing test (audiogram) shows whether you actually have hearing loss and how severe it is. Some people think they have hearing loss when the problem is earwax buildup or something else that a doctor can treat.
If you have Original Medicare, ask your primary care doctor for a referral to an audiologist. Some doctors can do basic hearing screening at your annual wellness visit at no cost. If you need a full audiological evaluation, you will pay out of pocket, but the cost is usually $50 to $200 — much less than a hearing aid. Once you know you need aids, then check your coverage.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan that covers hearing exams, use that benefit before you buy aids. The exam is free or low-cost, and it gives you the information you need to make a decision about which device to buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aid batteries?
Original Medicare does not cover batteries. Medicare Advantage plans vary — some include batteries in their hearing aid coverage, and some do not. Check your plan's summary of benefits or call customer service to ask whether batteries are covered and whether there is a limit on how many you can get per year.
If I switch Medicare Advantage plans, will my new plan cover hearing aids?
Not necessarily. Each plan sets its own coverage rules. Your old plan might have covered hearing aids and your new plan might not, or the coverage might be different (lower dollar amount, different network requirements, etc.). You need to check the new plan's coverage before you switch or before you buy aids.
Can I use my Medicare Advantage hearing aid benefit at any audiologist?
It depends on your plan. Some plans let you see any audiologist and will reimburse you. Others require you to use an audiologist in their network. Check your plan's provider directory or call customer service to find out which audiologists are in-network. Using an out-of-network provider usually costs you more.
What if I buy a hearing aid and then find out my plan covers it?
Some plans will reimburse you if you buy a hearing aid and then discover coverage exists, but only if you buy within a certain time window and meet other conditions. Do not assume this — call your plan before you buy and ask whether they offer retroactive reimbursement. If they do, ask what proof you need to keep (receipts, invoices, etc.).
Does Medicare cover cochlear implants?
Original Medicare covers cochlear implants and the surgery to place them if your doctor determines you meet the medical criteria. This is different from hearing aids. If you have severe-to-profound hearing loss and hearing aids do not help, ask your doctor whether you might be a candidate for a cochlear implant evaluation.