Hearing aid costs and financing

How much do hearing aids cost?

It depends because people have different hearing needs, not all hearing aids look, sound or function the same, and not all come with the same level of service and care.

Everyone’s hearing needs and wants are different

If you work and lead an active social life, you may want and require hearing aids with discreet, advanced and automated features. If you spend more of your time at home pursuing quiet activities, a less expensive level of technology with basic functionality might be right for you.

Regardless of your specific needs, hearing aids can help enhance your quality of life by ensuring you don’t miss out on important moments, enabling you to remain social and active, keeping you safe and alert, and bringing you the joy of hearing your favorite sounds, music and people.

There's a range for a reason

Like many things you buy — from televisions to cell phones to glasses — there is a “good-better-best” hierarchy that applies to hearing aids. They’re available in a variety of styles, with a range of high-tech features — which means you’ll typically pay less for hearing aids that are big and basic than you will for hearing aids that are discreet and state-of-the-art.

Factors that affect the price of hearing aids include:

• Features — Features that cancel noise, modulate volume, enable direct connectivity to smartphones and TV, or track and measure physical and mental activity, greatly improve performance and enhance everyday life, but also increase costs.
• Professional Services — Like many other medical devices, the proper selection and fitting of a hearing aid require the skill of educated and trained healthcare professionals. Professional services associated with the selection, fitting, adjustments and overall maintenance of hearing aids are often included as part of the cost of the hearing aid.

Additional ways to pay for hearing aids

Most hearing aid providers offer smart financing options, where you can pay for hearing aids via budget-friendly monthly installments, but there are other resources that may be available to you.

Private health insurance

Hearing aid coverage for adults is not mandated in every state. Some private health insurance companies cover the costs of hearing tests, a hearing aid evaluation and even partial or full coverage of a hearing aid. Others provide none at all. Check your individual plan coverage by calling the member services phone number on your insurance card.

Flexible medical spending plans

Some employers sponsor Flexible Medical Spending Plans, which allow you to set aside a portion of your earnings on a pre-tax basis. The money can be used throughout the year to pay for medical expenses not covered by your insurance provider. Using pre-tax flexible spending dollars is an excellent way to offset hearing aid expenses.

Health savings plans

Health savings plans are tax-advantaged medical savings accounts available to taxpayers who are enrolled in high-deductible health plans. The money contributed to health savings plans is not taxed at time of deposit and accumulates year over year, with interest, if it is not spent. Health savings plans can be used for medical and healthcare-related purchases not covered by insurance, including hearing aids.

Medicare

Medicare does not typically cover routine hearing evaluation or hearing aids. Although in some cases, exams ordered by a physician and conducted by a licensed audiologist may be covered by Medicare Part B. Medicare Advantage Plans may have hearing aid coverage.

Check with your doctor or hearing professional about whether Medicare covers a diagnostic exam. Search your state for Medicare coverage of hearing aids and hearing exams.

Medicaid

Most state Medicaid programs cover partial or complete costs for hearing aids. (Medicaid must cover hearing aid costs for children.)

There are different eligibility conditions depending on your state program, and your doctor or hearing specialist can help you determine whether this coverage is available to you. For telephone numbers and contact information for the Medicaid program in your state, visit www.benefits.gov and select "Benefits by Category" and then select “Medicaid/Medicare.”

Veteran benefits

The Veteran’s Administration (VA) provides access to audiology services and hearing aids for qualified veterans. For additional information, veterans should contact the VA healthcare facility near their homes. Locate a VA facility near you.

State vocational rehabilitation programs

If hearing aids are required for your employment, state vocational rehabilitation programs may provide financial assistance toward their purchase. Find your local office by visiting www.disability.gov/benefits to find rehabilitation programs in your home state.

Service organizations

Many fraternal and service organizations have programs to provide assistance with hearing aids. Some of these may include the Lions Club, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Moose Lodge, Masonic Lodge or Shriner’s organizations.

Charitable foundations

Some hearing aid manufacturers sponsor foundations that provide hearing aids to those with limited financial resources.