What Insurance Covers Hearing Aids for Seniors?

Key Takeaways: Hearing Aid Coverage at a Glance 💡

• Does Original Medicare (Parts A & B) cover hearing aids? No — it never has, and still doesn’t as of 2025.
• Does Medicare Advantage cover hearing aids? Yes, many plans do — but the benefit amount and rules vary wildly by plan.
• Does Medicaid cover hearing aids? Only in 28 states, and the rules differ dramatically from one state to the next.
• Does the VA cover hearing aids for veterans? Yes — free of charge for eligible veterans, including batteries and repairs.
• Are there charitable options? Yes — organizations like the Miracle-Ear Foundation, Starkey Hearing Foundation, and Lions Club can help low-income seniors get devices at no cost.
• What do hearing aids actually cost? The average price for a pair in the U.S. is around $4,672, though OTC options can run as low as $200–$1,000.

🚫 Original Medicare (Parts A & B) Flat-Out Does NOT Cover Hearing Aids — Here’s Why That Matters

Let’s be direct: Original Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids. It’s been this way since Medicare was created in 1965. The program categorizes hearing aids as a “convenience item,” not a medically necessary device — a classification that has frustrated audiologists and advocates for decades.

What Original Medicare will do is cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams if your doctor orders them — meaning they suspect a medical problem, not just routine age-related decline. You pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet the Part B deductible. That’s the extent of it.

While Original Medicare does cover a hearing screen for anyone who has symptoms — hearing loss or ringing in the ears — it does not pay for hearing aids, even after a problem has been diagnosed.

The one exception? Cochlear implants. Medicare Part B may cover them if they’re deemed medically necessary — but these are surgical devices for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss, not the standard hearing aids most seniors need.

💡 Pro Tip: Even if your hearing loss has been officially diagnosed and documented by a physician, Original Medicare still won’t cover your hearing aid. Don’t waste time appealing — redirect that energy toward a Medicare Advantage plan instead.

✅ Medicare Advantage (Part C) Is Where the Real Hearing Coverage Lives — But You Have to Shop Smart

Certain Medicare Advantage plans offer benefits that include the cost of hearing tests and hearing aids. Some will also pay for fittings and repairs for the device. This is the single most important fact for any senior trying to get hearing coverage under Medicare.

Here’s what you need to understand, though: not all Medicare Advantage plans are created equal. The benefit amount, the list of covered devices, the approved providers, and even the frequency of coverage (every 1 year vs. every 3 years) changes from plan to plan and zip code to zip code.

Coverage may include hearing aid fittings, hearing screenings with no or low co-payment, education on proper usage, routine and diagnostic hearing exams, a selection of hearing aids, and annual provider follow-ups.

As a real-world example, one major insurer’s Cigna Medicare Advantage plan covers $2,000 total toward hearing aids every 3 years, administered through a partner network called Hearing Care Solutions — and that $2,000 can even be applied toward a single ear if that’s all you need. Other plans renew the benefit annually.

💡 Pro Tip: Before enrolling in any Medicare Advantage plan, call the plan directly and ask these exact questions: “How much does this plan pay toward hearing aids? How often? Which providers are in-network? What brands are covered?” Don’t trust the plan comparison website alone — it rarely shows full hearing benefit details.

🗺️ Medicaid Covers Hearing Aids in Some States — But 22 States Leave You Completely Stranded

Age-related hearing loss affects nearly thirty million older adults in the United States. Although hearing aids are the most common efficacious treatment, Medicaid coverage of the aids is not federally mandated, and cost has been cited as a barrier to access.

A landmark study published in Health Affairs found that 28 states offer some degree of Medicaid hearing aid coverage, while 22 states have no coverage at all. In some states, such as Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, and Arkansas, Medicaid does not cover hearing aids at all. In other states, like Alaska, Medicaid covers hearing aids — including approved accessories and supplies — and hearing item repairs.

Washington State is a model example of generous coverage: under state law, Medicaid (called Apple Health) covers one hearing aid every five years, plus repairs, replacements, and now even cochlear implants as of January 2024.

💡 Pro Tip: If you receive both Medicare and Medicaid — known as being “dual eligible” — Medicaid can sometimes fill in gaps that Medicare doesn’t cover, including hearing care. Contact your state Medicaid office and ask specifically about hearing aid benefits for dual-eligible beneficiaries. The savings can be substantial.

To find your state’s exact Medicaid hearing coverage, contact the Hearing Loss Association of America’s state resources page or call your state Medicaid office directly:

Medicaid General Helpline: 1-877-267-2323 (CMS)

🎖️ Veterans Get the Best Deal of Anyone — Completely Free Hearing Aids Through the VA

If hearing aids are recommended and fit, the hearing aids, repairs, and future batteries will all be at no charge to you, as long as you maintain VA eligibility for care. This is not an exaggeration — it is genuinely one of the most comprehensive hearing care programs available anywhere in the country.

The VA gets the top technology from each brand. The same hearing aids outside of the VA would typically cost $5,000–$7,000 for a pair. The VA has contracts with the six largest manufacturers: GN ReSound, Oticon, Phonak, Signia, Starkey, and Widex — so veterans aren’t getting bargain-bin devices. They’re getting premium technology.

Contrary to what many veterans assume, you do not need to be service-connected to receive hearing aids — any veteran eligible to receive healthcare may qualify. You also don’t need a referral from a primary care provider. Audiology is a direct-schedule service.

💡 Pro Tip: If you’re a veteran who is having trouble navigating the VA system, you can call 1-888-777-4443 or visit ebenefits.va.gov to get help from a local VA representative free of charge. The process from first contact to receiving devices typically takes 30–60 days.

💸 What Hearing Aids Actually Cost — And Why the Price Tag Is Scandalous

The average cost for a pair of hearing aids in 2024 is $4,672 in the U.S. Depending on the type and brand, the price can range from below $1,000 to over $8,000. For a senior on Social Security who brings in $1,800 a month, that’s nearly three months of income for a single medical device.

The FDA changed this equation somewhat in October 2022, when it finalized a rule allowing adults with mild to moderate hearing loss to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids without seeing an audiologist. The U.S. Government Accountability Office released an analysis of the impact of OTC hearing aids in 2024, noting costs ranging from $200 to $1,000 depending on the type. Unfortunately, they also noted that as many as 17% of Medicare beneficiaries may be unable to afford hearing aids costing $500 or more.

OTC hearing aids are sold at retailers like Costco, Best Buy, CVS, and Walgreens — no prescription, no fitting appointment required. But they come with caveats.

💡 Pro Tip: OTC hearing aids are not returnable in every store. Before purchasing, confirm the return policy in writing. Some people buy the wrong device for their type of hearing loss and end up stuck with it. If possible, get a hearing test first — free screenings are available at Costco, many audiology university clinics, and community health fairs.

🤝 Charitable Programs That Actually Help When Insurance Won’t — With Real Contact Info

When neither Medicare, Medicaid, nor the VA can help, several nonprofit organizations step in — and they’re better than most people realize.

Since 1990, the Miracle-Ear Foundation has enhanced the lives of more than 28,000 individuals through their Gift of Sound program — that’s over 54,000 free hearing aids. Recipients get the same 3-year warranty as regular Miracle-Ear customers, plus free lifetime aftercare.

💡 Pro Tip: You are allowed — and encouraged — to apply to more than one program simultaneously. A Lions Club chapter might provide the device while a separate foundation covers fittings or batteries. Start local (Lions Club, community clinics) and layer national programs on top.

🔑 What to Actually Do Right Now — A Simple Action Plan by Situation

Whether you’re a veteran, low-income senior, or someone with Medicare Advantage coverage, the path forward depends on your specific situation. Here’s a distilled action plan:

The bottom line is this: the system is broken in some very real ways, but it is not without cracks you can squeeze through. Veterans especially should not be paying a single dollar out-of-pocket for hearing aids. Seniors on Medicare Advantage who haven’t checked their hearing benefit may be sitting on unused coverage right now. And low-income seniors who feel completely shut out have more charitable options than they probably know about.

Hearing loss isn’t just inconvenient — it’s a documented risk factor for cognitive decline and social isolation. Your hearing is worth fighting for, and so is your right to affordable care.