Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?

Key Takeaways: Medicare and Hearing Aids in 2026 💡

Does Original Medicare cover hearing aids? Absolutely not. Parts A and B explicitly exclude hearing aids and routine hearing exams — a statutory exclusion dating back to the 1960s.

Does Medicare pay for hearing tests? Only diagnostic hearing and balance exams ordered by your doctor to investigate a medical condition — not routine hearing screenings.

Which Medicare plans cover hearing aids? Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans — virtually all Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for hearing exams and/or hearing aids in 2026.

What kind of hearing aids will Medicare pay for? Through Medicare Advantage, coverage typically includes digital behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, and receiver-in-canal models from specific preferred brands, with allowances ranging from $500 to $3,000 per year.

Do over-65s get free hearing aids? No, but Medicare Advantage plans can dramatically reduce costs, and OTC hearing aids now start as low as $98-$399 per pair.

When will Medicare cover hearing aids? A bill (H.R. 500) was introduced in 2025 to remove the exclusion, but it has not passed — there is no confirmed date for Original Medicare hearing aid coverage.

Does Medicaid cover hearing aids? It varies wildly — 25 states and D.C. have no age or facility restrictions, while states like Alabama, Arizona, and Louisiana don’t cover hearing aids for adults at all.

Does Blue Cross cover hearing aids? It depends entirely on your specific plan — most private insurers offer modest allowances (often $2,500 every 3-5 years) or discount program access rather than full coverage.

Are OTC hearing aids a real option? Yes — since the FDA’s 2022 ruling, adults 18+ with mild to moderate hearing loss can buy quality OTC hearing aids for $200-$1,500 per pair without a prescription.

What’s the smartest move for 2026? If hearing coverage matters to you, switch to a Medicare Advantage plan with strong hearing benefits during open enrollment — and consider supplementing with affordable OTC devices.

🚫 1. Original Medicare Has Explicitly Banned Hearing Aid Coverage Since the 1960s — And Congress Hasn’t Fixed It Yet

Let’s be clear about what “not covered” actually means in Medicare’s case. This isn’t a gray area or an oversight — it’s a deliberate statutory exclusion written directly into the Social Security Act. Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids.

When Medicare was created in the 1960s, hearing aids were routinely needed and low in cost, so it was expected that beneficiaries would be able to cover the cost themselves. But that assumption has been demolished by modern reality, where costs for modern hearing aids often reach $3,000–$7,000 per pair.

Congress has attempted to change this. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (H.R. 500) was introduced to remove Medicare’s exclusion of hearing aids and exams from coverage, with a proposed effective date of January 1, 2026. However, the bill was referred to committee and has not been enacted into law as of February 2026.

Here’s the irony that makes audiologists shake their heads: Part B may pay for cochlear implants for people with hearing loss, and one of the requirements that must be met to get a cochlear implant is that you must have tried hearing aids but found them ineffective. Medicare will pay for the far more expensive surgical implant — but won’t pay for the hearing aids it requires you to try first.

Medicare Component	Hearing Aids Covered?	Hearing Exams Covered?	💡 Critical Detail
Part A (Hospital)	❌ No	❌ No routine exams	Only covers hearing services during inpatient stays 🏥
Part B (Medical)	❌ No	✅ Diagnostic only (doctor-ordered)	Covers cochlear implants but NOT hearing aids 🤯
Part C (Medicare Advantage)	✅ Most plans, yes	✅ Most plans, yes	Benefits vary enormously — check your plan 📋
Part D (Prescription)	❌ No	❌ No	Hearing aids are devices, not drugs 💊
Medigap (Supplemental)	❌ No	❌ No	Only supplements Parts A & B — can’t add new benefits 🚫

💡 Critical Insider Tip: Don’t confuse “diagnostic” hearing exams with “routine” hearing exams. Part B will cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams if your doctor or other health care provider orders these tests to see if you need medical treatment for a recent injury or illness, such as vertigo or other balance problems. If you’re simply going in because you think your hearing has worsened, that’s routine — and Medicare won’t pay for it. The workaround: have your primary care doctor document symptoms (difficulty hearing, tinnitus, dizziness) and order the exam as a diagnostic evaluation.

🩺 2. Medicare Part B Pays for Diagnostic Hearing Tests — But Only Under Specific Medical Circumstances

This is the narrow exception that many seniors don’t know about, and it can save you hundreds of dollars when used correctly.

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Original Medicare does not cover hearing test/exams or hearing aid fittings. There is one exception: if your doctor orders hearing tests/exams or balance tests, Medicare Part B may cover them.

The key distinction: the exam must be medically necessary and ordered by a physician to investigate a potential medical condition — not to determine whether you need hearing aids. Once Part B approves the diagnostic exam, you’ll pay the standard Part B cost-sharing: the $283 annual deductible (if not yet met) plus 20% of the Medicare-approved amount.

Type of Hearing Exam	Covered by Part B?	Your Cost	💡 How to Qualify
Diagnostic audiological exam (doctor-ordered)	✅ Yes	20% coinsurance after $283 deductible	Must be ordered to evaluate medical symptoms 🩺
Diagnostic balance exam	✅ Yes	20% coinsurance after $283 deductible	Vertigo, dizziness, balance problems qualify ⚖️
Routine hearing screening	❌ No	100% out-of-pocket	“Just want my hearing checked” doesn’t qualify 🚫
Hearing aid fitting exam	❌ No	100% out-of-pocket	Explicitly excluded by statute 📋
Cochlear implant evaluation	✅ Yes	20% coinsurance after deductible	Must demonstrate hearing aids were ineffective 🔊
Cochlear implant surgery	✅ Yes	Part A or B depending on setting	Covered when medically necessary ✅

💡 Critical Insider Tip: Part B also covers bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs) — surgically implanted devices that bypass the outer ear and transmit sound through bone conduction. These are classified as prosthetic devices (not traditional hearing aids) and are therefore covered when medically necessary. If you have conductive hearing loss, single-sided deafness, or mixed hearing loss that can’t be treated with conventional hearing aids, ask your audiologist whether a BAHA might be both medically appropriate and Medicare-covered.

👂 3. Medicare Advantage is Your Best Path to Hearing Aid Coverage — But the Fine Print Varies Wildly

If hearing coverage is a priority, Medicare Advantage (Part C) is where the action is in 2026. Virtually all Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for hearing exams and/or hearing aids in 2026.

But “virtually all offer some coverage” doesn’t mean the coverage is generous or uniform. About a third of plans had dollar limits on how much they would pay for hearing aids (ranging from $66 to $4,000, and averaging $960 — a fraction of the cost of hearing aids), while most of the rest have a frequency limit on how often they’ll cover hearing aids. And here’s the stat that reveals the real landscape: only 1% of Advantage plans paid for hearing aids with no dollar limit or frequency limit.

Allowances typically range from $500 to $3,000 per year, with copays, coinsurance, and network restrictions shaping your out-of-pocket costs.

Coverage through Medicare Advantage typically includes some combination of hearing exams, evaluations, fittings, the devices themselves, and sometimes batteries and maintenance. Aetna Medicare Advantage plans cover one routine hearing exam per year, hearing aids and one hearing aid fitting per year.

Medicare Advantage Hearing Benefit	Typical Coverage	Limitations	💡 What to Watch
Routine hearing exams	1 per year at $0-$45 copay	Must use in-network audiologist	Verify your audiologist participates 🔍
Hearing aid allowance	$500 – $3,000/year	Dollar cap varies enormously by plan	Average allowance (~$960) won’t cover premium aids 💰
Frequency limit	1 pair every 1-3 years	Some plans only allow every 3 years	Plan ahead for replacement timing 📅
Hearing aid types covered	Digital BTE, ITE, RIC from preferred brands	Must choose from plan’s formulary	Your preferred brand may not be included 🎧
Fitting and programming	Usually included	May require in-network provider	Out-of-network fittings often not covered 🚫
Batteries and maintenance	Sometimes included	Often limited or excluded	Budget for ongoing costs separately 🔋
Copay per hearing aid	$0 – $695 depending on model and plan	Higher-end models = higher copays	Compare copays across plans before enrolling ⚖️

💡 Critical Insider Tip: Before receiving coverage, most Medicare Advantage plans require documentation that hearing aids are medically necessary — audiologist assessments, physician evaluations, and prior authorizations are often part of the approval process. Don’t assume you can simply walk into a store and buy hearing aids on your plan. Start the process with your primary care doctor, get a referral to an in-network audiologist, and complete all required evaluations before ordering devices. Skipping any step could result in a denied claim and thousands of dollars in unexpected costs.

💸 4. No, Seniors Over 65 Do Not Get Free Hearing Aids — But 2026 Offers More Affordable Options Than Ever Before

The myth that turning 65 unlocks free hearing aids persists because of the general assumption that Medicare covers essential health needs comprehensively. It doesn’t — at least not for hearing.

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Since Original Medicare doesn’t pay for prescription hearing aids ordered by a professional, you’d pay the full cost — often $1,000–$4,000 per pair. And the average cost for a pair of hearing aids is usually between $2,500–$3,000 per pair, though spending $8,000 or more is not uncommon.

But the landscape has shifted dramatically thanks to the FDA’s October 2022 ruling that created a regulated over-the-counter hearing aid category. Due to a new FDA rule, millions of Americans with mild to moderate hearing loss can now purchase hearing aids over the counter without having to visit a hearing care professional first.

Hearing Aid Path	Cost Range (Per Pair)	Prescription Required?	Best For	💡
Premium prescription aids	$4,000 – $8,000+	Yes	Severe hearing loss, complex needs	Audiologist-fitted, most advanced tech 🔬
Mid-range prescription aids	$2,000 – $4,000	Yes	Moderate to severe loss	Good balance of features and cost ⚖️
OTC hearing aids (premium)	$800 – $1,500	No	Mild to moderate loss	Bluetooth, app control, noise reduction 📱
OTC hearing aids (budget)	$98 – $400	No	Mild to moderate loss	Basic amplification, affordable entry point 💰
Apple AirPods Pro 2/3 (hearing mode)	$179 – $249	No	Mild to moderate loss, tech-savvy users	FDA-approved hearing aid software 🍎
Costco/warehouse prescription aids	$1,400 – $2,500	Yes (in-store audiologist)	All hearing loss levels	Significant savings on brand-name devices 🏪
Medicare Advantage covered aids	$0 – $695 copay (with allowance)	Varies by plan	Plan enrollees with hearing loss	Best value if your plan has strong benefits ✅

The FDA’s OTC hearing aid ruling has helped deliver significant savings to American families, with OTC models typically costing $1,500 to $3,000 less than prescription alternatives for a pair.

And here’s a development most seniors don’t know about: Apple AirPods wireless headphones may work as hearing aids for some people. The FDA says certain AirPods can qualify as over-the-counter hearing aids. Apple’s hearing aid software for AirPods Pro received FDA clearance, making them a potentially affordable, discreet option for seniors with mild to moderate loss who are already comfortable with Apple devices.

💡 Critical Insider Tip: OTC hearing aids are only for mild to moderate hearing loss — if you have severe or profound hearing loss, you need prescription devices fitted by an audiologist. Before spending thousands on prescription aids, get a proper audiogram to determine your hearing loss level. If it’s mild to moderate, try OTC options first — many brands offer 45-100 day risk-free trials, so you can return them if they don’t work for you.

📜 5. Congress Introduced a Bill to Cover Hearing Aids Under Medicare — But It Hasn’t Passed

Every few years, lawmakers introduce legislation to finally remove the decades-old hearing aid exclusion from Medicare. The latest attempt is noteworthy but should not be relied upon for your 2026 coverage decisions.

The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (H.R. 500) would amend the Social Security Act by striking “hearing aids or examinations therefor” from the exclusion list, with the amendment applying to items and services furnished on or after January 1, 2026.

The bill was introduced with bipartisan support and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means. However, as of February 2026, it has not advanced to a floor vote, been marked up in committee, or been signed into law.

Legislative History	Status	💡 What It Means for You
Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (H.R. 500, 2025)	Introduced, not passed	Do not count on this for coverage decisions 🚫
Build Back Better Act (2021) — included hearing provision	Passed House, died in Senate	Previous attempt also failed ❌
Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (2021 version)	Introduced, no vote	Pattern of introduction without passage 📋
FDA OTC Hearing Aid Rule (2022)	Enacted and active	OTC hearing aids available now — no legislation needed ✅

💡 Critical Insider Tip: Even if H.R. 500 were to pass tomorrow, the implementation timeline would likely involve a rulemaking period, benefit design phase, and coverage guidelines that could take 12-24 months beyond the effective date. The most reliable paths to affordable hearing care in 2026 remain Medicare Advantage plans, OTC hearing aids, Medicaid (if eligible), and charitable resources.

🏥 6. Private Insurance and Blue Cross Coverage for Hearing Aids is Typically Modest — Don’t Expect Miracles

If you’re under 65 or have supplemental private insurance alongside Medicare, hearing aid coverage through commercial plans is generally limited and inconsistent.

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Most private plans don’t cover hearing aids. When they do, it’s usually a modest allowance (e.g., $2,500 every five years for hearing aids and related items), access to discount programs like TruHearing, or coverage tied to specific hearing aid vendors.

Blue Cross Blue Shield plans vary significantly by state and plan tier. Some BCBS plans offer hearing benefits through partnerships with hearing aid networks, while others exclude hearing aids entirely. There’s no uniform BCBS hearing aid policy — you must check your specific plan’s Evidence of Coverage or Summary of Benefits.

Only a handful of states have mandated private insurance coverage of hearing aids for adults. The five states that have mandated coverage of hearing aids for adults represent a small fraction of the country, and even mandated coverage typically comes with dollar limits and frequency restrictions.

Insurance Type	Hearing Aid Coverage	Typical Allowance	💡 Reality Check
Blue Cross Blue Shield	Varies by state/plan	$0 – $2,500 every 3-5 years	Check your specific plan documents 📋
UnitedHealthcare (employer)	Varies by plan	Often discount program access only	TruHearing discounts common 🏷️
Aetna (employer)	Some plans include	Up to $2,500 per ear every 3 years	Mandated in some states 📍
Cigna (employer)	Limited coverage	Varies widely	Most plans exclude hearing aids 🚫
Kaiser Permanente	Some plans cover	Plan-dependent	Check with your local Kaiser region 🔍
VA Benefits	✅ Comprehensive for veterans	Free hearing aids for service-related loss	Must have service-connected hearing loss 🎖️
Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB)	Many plans include	$1,000 – $2,500 per ear	Better than most private plans ✅

💡 Critical Insider Tip: If you’re approaching 65 and still have employer insurance with hearing benefits, use them before you transition to Medicare. Get your hearing evaluated, order hearing aids, and complete all fitting appointments while you’re still covered. Once you switch to Original Medicare, that hearing benefit disappears entirely unless you also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

🏛️ 7. Medicaid Hearing Aid Coverage is a State-by-State Patchwork — Some States Are Generous, Others Offer Nothing

For seniors who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (called “dual eligibles”), Medicaid can fill the massive hearing aid gap that Medicare leaves behind. But the keyword is “can” — not “will.”

Twenty-five states and D.C. have no age or care facility limitations for hearing aids in their Medicaid plans, meaning adults of any age can access hearing aid coverage if they meet income and asset requirements. But states including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Tennessee, and West Virginia do not cover hearing aids for people 21 and older.

Coverage varies by state, but Medicaid often helps pay for hearing exams, hearing aids, and related services.

Medicaid Coverage Category	States	💡 Key Detail
Full adult coverage (no age/facility limits)	25 states + D.C. (including CA, NY, MN, AK, FL, IL, and others)	Best scenario — covers exams, aids, and services ✅
Limited to under 21 or nursing facility residents	AL, AZ, AR, CO, ID, LA, OK, TN, WV, and others	Adults living independently get no coverage 🚫
Special populations only	MO (blind/pregnant adults), UT (pregnant only)	Very narrow eligibility 📋
No adult hearing aid coverage	Several states (varies)	Must rely on other sources entirely ❌

The average cost for a pair of hearing aids in 2024 is $4,672 in the U.S., and depending on the type and brand, the price can range from below $1,000 to over $8,000 — making this coverage gap financially devastating for low-income seniors in non-covering states.

For states that do cover hearing aids through Medicaid, common benefits include hearing evaluations, one hearing aid per ear (typically every 3-5 years), fittings, and some repairs. However, hearing aid-related items that Medicaid does not generally cover include routine maintenance, hearing aid batteries, and repairs while the manufacturer’s warranty is still active.

💡 Critical Insider Tip: Medicaid does provide hearing care and hearing aids for children in all states through the EPSDT (Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment) program. If you’re a grandparent caring for a child with hearing loss, Medicaid coverage for that child is significantly more comprehensive than adult coverage — regardless of your state.

🔊 8. The OTC Hearing Aid Revolution Has Changed Everything — Here’s How to Navigate It Smartly

The single biggest development in hearing aid accessibility in decades isn’t a Medicare policy change — it’s the FDA’s creation of the over-the-counter hearing aid category in October 2022. Over-the-counter hearing aids have been available directly to consumers without a prescription since October 2022, for adults only with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss.

This means anyone 18 or older can walk into a Walgreens, Walmart, Best Buy, Costco, or go online and purchase FDA-regulated hearing aids without a doctor’s visit, prescription, professional fitting, or audiologist appointment.

OTC hearing aids don’t require professional fitting or maintenance, and OTC models typically cost $300 to $2,000 per device — compared to $1,000-$4,000+ per ear for prescription alternatives.

Top OTC Hearing Aids (2026)	Price (Per Pair)	Battery Life	Best Feature	💡 Best For
Jabra Enhance Select 500	~$1,200	~30 hours	Premium sound, remote audiology care	Best overall quality 🏆
Elehear Beyond Pro	~$599	~20 hours	AI noise reduction, tinnitus masker	Best value for features 💰
Lexie B2 Plus (powered by Bose)	~$800-$1,000	~18 hours	Bose sound technology	Best brand recognition 🔊
Audien Atom X	~$289	~20 hours	Ultra-affordable, comfortable	Best budget option 🎯
Apple AirPods Pro 2/3	~$179-$249	~6-8 hours (hearing mode)	FDA-cleared hearing software, discreet	Best for tech-savvy seniors 🍎
Sony CRE-E10	~$1,000	~20 hours	Top sound performance in lab testing	Best acoustic performance 🎵

Important OTC limitations to understand: these devices are only appropriate for mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe or profound hearing loss, OTC aids won’t provide adequate amplification, and you need prescription devices. Additionally, OTC hearing aids don’t include the personalized audiogram-based programming that prescription aids do, though many now offer app-based self-fitting tools.

💡 Critical Insider Tip: Many OTC brands now offer 45-100 day risk-free trials. Take full advantage of this by testing the devices in your real-world environments — restaurants, family gatherings, phone calls, TV watching — before the trial expires. If the devices aren’t working well, return them and try a different brand or consult an audiologist about whether you might need prescription-level devices.

🆘 9. Charitable Programs, VA Benefits, and Other Resources Can Help When Insurance Falls Short

For seniors who can’t afford hearing aids and don’t have adequate insurance coverage, several programs exist specifically to bridge this gap:

Resource	Who Qualifies	What They Offer	💡 How to Access
Veterans Affairs (VA)	Veterans with service-related hearing loss	Free hearing aids, exams, batteries, repairs	Contact your local VA medical center 🎖️
State Vocational Rehabilitation	Adults with disabilities affecting employment	Hearing aids and audiological services	Find vocational rehabilitation services in your state that assist adults with disabilities, including hearing loss 💼
Lions Club International	Low-income individuals	Hearing aid assistance and recycled devices	Contact your local Lions Club chapter 🦁
Starkey Hearing Foundation	Low-income individuals worldwide	Free hearing aids through “Hear Now” program	Apply through Starkey’s website 🌟
HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America)	All hearing loss patients	Financial assistance resource directory	Visit HLAA’s financial assistance page 📋
Sertoma Club	Low-income individuals	Hearing aid assistance programs	Contact local Sertoma chapter 🤝
State SHIP Counselors	All Medicare beneficiaries	Free guidance on coverage options	Call 1-877-839-2675 📞
HSA/FSA accounts	Those with eligible accounts through employer	Tax-free dollars for hearing aids	Use before transitioning to Medicare 💰

💡 Critical Insider Tip: Flexible spending money provided through an employer-sponsored FSA can be used to offset the cost of hearing aids and evaluations. Health savings accounts allow you to contribute funds for medical expenses, such as hearing aids, not covered by Medicare. If you still have an HSA balance when you turn 65, those funds can be used tax-free to purchase hearing aids even after you enroll in Medicare — you just can’t make new HSA contributions once enrolled.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy OTC hearing aids if I have severe hearing loss? OTC hearing aids are FDA-approved only for mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe or profound hearing loss, you need prescription devices fitted by an audiologist. Using OTC devices for severe loss could result in inadequate amplification, frustration, and potentially further hearing damage from over-amplification attempts.

Will Medigap (Medicare Supplement) pay for hearing aids? No, Medicare supplemental insurance plans, also known as Medigap, do not cover hearing aids. Medigap only supplements the benefits already covered by Original Medicare Parts A and B — it cannot add new benefits that Medicare itself excludes.

How do I find out if my Medicare Advantage plan covers hearing aids? Check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage (EOC) document — specifically the section on supplemental benefits including hearing services. You can also call the member services number on the back of your plan card and ask specifically about hearing aid brand coverage, dollar allowances, copay amounts, frequency limits, and network audiologist requirements.

Are hearing aid batteries covered by Medicare? Not under Original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans include batteries as part of their hearing benefit, but many don’t. Budget approximately $50-$100 per year for disposable batteries, or choose rechargeable hearing aids to eliminate this ongoing cost entirely.

Can I use my Medicare Advantage hearing benefit for OTC hearing aids? This varies by plan. Some Medicare Advantage plans restrict coverage to specific brands and models obtained through their partner networks. Others may offer a flexible hearing allowance that can be applied more broadly. Always confirm with your plan before purchasing.

Is the hearing aid tax deductible? Yes — hearing aids qualify as a medical expense for federal tax deduction purposes. If your total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, you can deduct the portion above that threshold. Keep all receipts.

How often should hearing aids be replaced? Most audiologists recommend replacing hearing aids every 3-5 years due to technology advances, wear and tear, and changes in your hearing profile. Many Medicare Advantage plans align their frequency limits with this timeline, allowing one pair every 1-3 years depending on the plan.

Sources: Medicare.gov official hearing aid coverage page; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); Congress.gov H.R. 500 Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act text; Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) financial assistance and OTC resources; Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits analysis; National Council on Aging (NCOA) 2026 hearing aid guides and surveys; U.S. News & World Report Medicare hearing coverage guide; National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD); FDA Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid final rule (August 2022); MOST Policy Initiative Medicaid hearing aid state-by-state analysis; medicareresources.org hearing aid coverage guide.

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