You just got a hearing loss diagnosis. The audiologist handed you a pamphlet for hearing aids starting at $3,000 a pair. And now you are wondering whether Medicare, your Medicare Advantage plan, or any other insurance will pick up any of that tab.
The short answer is that Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids. But that is only part of the picture. Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid, the VA, nonprofits, and a new generation of over-the-counter aids have changed what is actually accessible and affordable in 2026. This guide walks through every coverage path available to US seniors and low-income adults, without the policy jargon.
At a Glance
| Topic | Key Facts |
|---|---|
| Original Medicare (Part A and B) | Does NOT cover hearing aids; covers diagnostic hearing exams if ordered by a physician |
| Medicare Advantage (Part C) | Many plans include a hearing benefit; allowances typically range from $500 to $2,000/year |
| Medicaid | Coverage varies by state; some states cover aids for adults, most cover for children |
| VA Benefits | Veterans with service-connected hearing loss may receive hearing aids at no cost |
| OTC Hearing Aids | FDA-cleared since 2022 for mild-to-moderate loss; prices from $200 to $1,500 |
| H.R. 500 (2025 bill) | Introduced January 2025; still in committee as of April 2026; NOT yet law |
| Cochlear Implants | Covered under Medicare Part B as prosthetic devices |
| FSA/HSA | Hearing aids are eligible expenses |
Does Original Medicare (Part A and B) Cover Hearing Aids? The Direct Answer in 2026
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, period.
This is not a loophole or a technicality. It is written directly into the Social Security Act of 1965, which explicitly excludes hearing aids as a covered benefit under Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medicare.gov confirms this exclusion without qualification.
So what does Medicare Part B actually cover when it comes to hearing?
What Part B Actually Covers
Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams when your doctor orders them to determine a medical diagnosis, not merely to fit a hearing aid. This is an important distinction. A physician-ordered audiological exam to evaluate the cause of hearing loss, dizziness, or balance problems is covered under Part B (subject to the 20% coinsurance after the deductible). A hearing aid fitting exam is not.
Beyond diagnostic exams, Part B covers cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) as prosthetic devices when medically necessary.
These are classified differently from standard hearing aids because they are surgically implanted or require surgical intervention, placing them in a category Original Medicare does recognize. According to Medicare.gov, cochlear implant recipients also get covered follow-up audiological rehabilitation services.
Standard over-the-ear or in-the-canal hearing aids, however, receive no Part A or Part B coverage regardless of severity of hearing loss.
"Hearing loss affects approximately 1 in 3 adults between the ages of 65 and 74, and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing."
Medicare Advantage Hearing Coverage: What Part C Plans Typically Include
Medicare Advantage (Part C) is where hearing coverage for Medicare beneficiaries actually lives.
Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurers approved by CMS and must cover everything Original Medicare covers, but they are permitted to add extra benefits, including hearing. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the vast majority of Medicare Advantage enrollees are in plans that offer some hearing benefit.
What that benefit looks like in practice varies widely. A typical hearing benefit from a Medicare Advantage plan includes one routine hearing exam per year, a fitting exam, and an annual dollar allowance toward hearing aid purchases, commonly between $500 and $2,000 per year. Some plans cover one aid; others cover a pair. Most plans limit coverage to specific network providers or a contracted hearing care vendor such as TruHearing or UnitedHealth Hearing.
Replacement frequency is also plan-specific. Many plans cover new aids every one to three years. Batteries and accessories may or may not be included depending on the Evidence of Coverage document for your specific plan.
How to Find Medicare Advantage Plans with Hearing Coverage in Your ZIP Code
The Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.gov lets you search available plans by ZIP code and filter by supplemental benefits. Select "Hearing" under the extra benefits filter to see which plans in your area include a hearing allowance.
Once you identify candidate plans, download the Evidence of Coverage (EOC) document for each. Search the EOC for the word "hearing" and look specifically for the annual hearing aid allowance amount, the list of covered device types, and the network providers. The EOC is the legally binding benefit document; the summary brochure can be misleading on dollar limits.
Open enrollment windows matter here. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs October 15 through December 7 each year for coverage beginning January 1. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA-OEP) runs January 1 through March 31 and allows one plan switch, but you must already be enrolled in an MA plan to use it.
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids at Costco?
Costco's Kirkland Signature hearing aids, priced around $1,399 per pair, are not covered by Original Medicare. But some Medicare Advantage hearing allowances can be applied at Costco Hearing Centers, depending on whether your specific plan has a network arrangement with Costco in your area. Costco employs licensed hearing instrument specialists and offers in-store audiologist services at most locations, making it a practical option for beneficiaries whose MA plan allows out-of-network use of their hearing allowance.
Before purchasing, call your plan's member services line and ask whether Costco is an in-network hearing provider. Get the answer in writing or request a reference number for the call.
The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (H.R. 500): Current Status and What to Watch
H.R. 500, the Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2025, was introduced in the House on January 16, 2025. If enacted, it would add hearing aids to Original Medicare's list of covered benefits.
As of April 2026, H.R. 500 remains in committee referral stage and has NOT been enacted into law. Several websites and news articles have stated or implied that this legislation took effect on January 1, 2026. That is inaccurate. The bill has not passed the House, has not passed the Senate, and has not been signed by the President.
This matters because beneficiaries who planned their hearing aid purchases around that misinformation may have been caught off guard. The bill's current status can be tracked directly at Congress.gov.
H.R. 500 is not the first attempt to add hearing coverage to Medicare. A similar provision was included in the Build Back Better Act in 2021, which also did not become law. The pattern suggests that while there is bipartisan sympathy for expanding Medicare's hearing benefit, legislative progress has been slow.
Readers who want Medicare to cover hearing aids can contact their congressional representative and monitor Congress.gov for updates on H.R. 500's progress through committee.
Does Medicaid Cover Hearing Aids? A State-by-State Overview for Adults and Children
Medicaid coverage for hearing aids is far more generous for children than for adults, and it varies significantly by state.
For children, the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit requires states to cover hearing aids when medically necessary, making pediatric hearing aid coverage widely available through Medicaid across all states.
For adults, coverage is optional and states have chosen different paths. Some states cover hearing aids fully for adults on Medicaid. Others provide a limited benefit, such as one aid per year or a capped dollar amount. Some states provide no adult hearing aid benefit at all. Because state Medicaid policies update annually, the most reliable way to verify current coverage is to contact your state's Medicaid office directly or call 1-800-MEDICARE for a referral.
States with Adult Hearing Aid Mandates for Private Insurance
A handful of states require private insurers (not Medicare or Medicaid) to cover hearing aids for adults. Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, and Rhode Island have enacted such mandates for adult hearing aid coverage, though the specific benefit structures differ. If you are on an employer-sponsored or private health plan in one of these states, ask your insurer about hearing aid benefits before assuming none exist.
Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries: When Medicare and Medicaid Combine
Adults who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, known as dual-eligible beneficiaries, may have access to hearing aid coverage through their state's Medicaid program even when Medicare alone would not cover it. In states with adult hearing aid benefits, this can mean the gap left by Medicare is filled by Medicaid with little to no out-of-pocket cost. Dual-eligible beneficiaries are typically enrolled in Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) that coordinate both programs.
If you think you may qualify for both programs based on income and age, a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor can review your eligibility at no cost. SHIP is a federally funded program that provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling in every state.
Private Insurance: Aetna, BCBS, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and What's Covered
Private health insurance coverage for hearing aids is inconsistent, and the short answer is that most standard commercial plans do not cover hearing aids for adults without a specific hearing benefit rider or a plan with built-in hearing coverage.
That said, several major insurers offer hearing benefits either as part of certain plan tiers or through affiliated hearing care networks.
UnitedHealthcare offers hearing benefits through its UnitedHealth Hearing program, including discounted pricing and annual allowances on select plans. Allowances can range from $500 to over $1,500 depending on the plan purchased. The program uses a network of participating audiologists and hearing centers.
Aetna includes hearing aid benefits on some commercial and Medicare Advantage plans, typically through a third-party hearing program. Benefits and allowances vary significantly by employer contract and plan type.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) plans vary by state affiliate. Some BCBS affiliates include hearing aid allowances on individual and group plans; others do not. Contacting your specific BCBS state plan directly is the only reliable way to check.
Humana includes hearing benefits on many of its Medicare Advantage plans and some commercial plans, often through a hearing vendor network.
The key action for anyone on a private plan: call the member services number on your insurance card and ask specifically whether your plan includes a hearing aid benefit, what the annual dollar limit is, and which providers are in-network. Do not assume the answer is no without asking.
TRICARE, VA, and Federal Employee Benefits: Hearing Aid Coverage for Veterans and Military
Veterans and active military members have access to hearing aid coverage through channels that are entirely separate from Medicare or commercial insurance.
VA Hearing Aid Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides hearing aids at no cost to veterans who have a service-connected hearing loss or tinnitus disability rating, or whose hearing loss is otherwise determined to be related to military service. Veterans receiving VA health care who have a non-service-connected hearing loss may also qualify depending on their VA priority group.
The VA's hearing program is extensive. It covers hearing aids, batteries, repairs, follow-up audiological care, and cochlear implants where appropriate. The VA purchases hearing aids in volume and provides them through its audiology clinics without the retail markup a private audiologist would charge.
Veterans who are not yet enrolled in VA health care can apply through the VA's online application portal or by visiting a local VA medical center.
TRICARE Hearing Aid Coverage
TRICARE, the health care program for active-duty military, retirees, and their families, covers hearing aids in limited circumstances. TRICARE Prime and TRICARE Select cover hearing aids for active-duty service members when medically necessary. For retirees and dependents, coverage is more limited, and hearing aids are generally not covered unless there is a specific medical necessity determination.
TRICARE for Life, which supplements Medicare for military retirees over 65, follows Medicare's coverage rules and therefore does not add hearing aid coverage beyond what Medicare provides.
Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) Plans
Federal employees and retirees covered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program have access to a range of plans, many of which include hearing aid benefits. The OPM FEHB website allows comparison of plans by supplemental benefits, including hearing. Allowances vary widely but some FEHB plans offer annual benefits of $1,000 to $2,500 per ear.
FSA, HSA, and Tax Deduction Options: Using Pre-Tax Dollars for Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are qualified medical expenses under IRS rules, which means they can be purchased with funds from a Health Savings Account (HSA), a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), or claimed as an itemized medical deduction on your federal tax return.
HSA and FSA funds can be used for hearing aids, batteries, repair and maintenance, and audiologist fees not covered by insurance. Because HSA contributions are pre-tax and the funds roll over year to year (unlike FSA funds, which typically must be used within the plan year), an HSA is a particularly useful tool for long-term hearing care planning if you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan.
For the medical expense deduction on your federal return: according to the IRS, you can deduct unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. For a retiree with a modest income, a $4,000 hearing aid purchase could represent a meaningful deduction. A tax professional can advise on whether itemizing is beneficial given your specific situation.
Free and Low-Cost Hearing Aid Programs: Lions Club, State Programs, and Manufacturer Assistance
Several nonprofit and manufacturer-sponsored programs provide free or heavily discounted hearing aids to people who cannot afford them. These programs are underused because they are not widely publicized.
Lions Clubs International operates one of the broadest hearing aid assistance programs in the country. Local Lions Clubs collect donated hearing aids, refurbish them, and distribute them at no cost to people who cannot afford new devices. There is no strict national income limit; eligibility is determined by local clubs. The Lions Clubs Hearing Aid Recycling Program is a good starting point, and your local club can be found via the national directory.
Starkey Hearing Foundation provides hearing aids to low-income individuals in the US and internationally. The foundation focuses on people with demonstrated financial need. Applications are handled through Starkey's program partners.
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) maintains a resource list of financial assistance programs for hearing aids, including state-specific options. Their website is a practical first stop for exploring assistance options by state.
Manufacturer financing programs are available from most major hearing aid brands. Many offer 12 to 24 months of interest-free financing through third-party lenders for qualified buyers, which can make a $4,000 purchase manageable as a monthly payment.
Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids: The Affordable Option Medicare Ignores
The FDA's 2022 rule creating an OTC hearing aid category was a genuine shift for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. OTC hearing aids require no prescription, no audiologist visit, and no fitting appointment. They are available at Best Buy, Costco, Walgreens, CVS, and Amazon.
Prices for OTC aids range from roughly $200 to $1,500 per pair, compared to $3,000 to $6,000 or more for prescription devices. According to the NIDCD, OTC aids are appropriate for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
OTC aids are not appropriate for everyone. Sudden hearing loss, hearing loss in children, severe or profound loss, or hearing loss with associated symptoms such as drainage, pain, or dizziness all warrant evaluation by a physician or audiologist before purchasing any device. If you are unsure whether your hearing loss qualifies as mild to moderate, consulting a licensed audiologist first is a reasonable step.
Apple's AirPods Pro (2nd generation and later) received FDA clearance as OTC hearing aids for mild to moderate loss. At approximately $249, they represent the most affordable FDA-cleared option currently available. Whether Medicare Advantage hearing allowances will cover AirPods Pro remains unsettled. Contact your specific plan to verify before purchasing.
Income-Based Programs: What Is the Income Limit for Free Hearing Aids?
There is no single national income threshold for free hearing aids. Eligibility depends on the program. Medicaid uses state-specific income limits based on the federal poverty level. The Lions Clubs program leaves eligibility to local chapter discretion, with no federal cutoff. The Starkey Foundation targets low-income applicants but also does not publish a fixed income limit.
As a rough reference point, Medicaid eligibility for non-elderly adults in expansion states is generally set at or below 138% of the federal poverty level (approximately $20,783 for a single adult in 2026, based on federal guidelines). A SHIP counselor can help determine whether you qualify for Medicaid, dual-eligible programs, or other state-specific assistance.
The Hidden Health Cost of Untreated Hearing Loss
Untreated hearing loss is not just a quality-of-life inconvenience. The clinical evidence for its health consequences is substantial and often undersold in discussions about hearing aid affordability.
Research from Johns Hopkins, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that mild hearing loss doubles the risk of dementia, moderate loss triples it, and severe hearing loss is associated with a five-fold increase in dementia risk. The biological mechanisms proposed include cognitive load from effortful listening, reduced social engagement, and accelerated structural brain changes.
Beyond cognitive health, the NIH notes associations between untreated hearing loss and depression, social isolation, increased fall risk, and higher rates of hospitalization. Most adults wait an average of ten years from the onset of noticeable hearing loss before seeking treatment.
This is the cost of the coverage gap that no dollar figure captures. The financial barrier created by Medicare's exclusion has real consequences for the health of seniors who cannot afford aids out of pocket and do not know about the alternatives covered in this guide.
If you are experiencing hearing changes or have received a diagnosis, speaking with a physician or audiologist promptly makes sense regardless of the insurance question. To find a qualified specialist near you, use Momentary Lab's doctor finder to connect with licensed audiologists and ENT physicians in your area.
How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost Without Coverage?
For anyone paying out of pocket or after exhausting insurance benefits, here is a current price landscape:
OTC (FDA-cleared, mild to moderate loss only): $200 to $1,500 per pair. Brands available at major retailers without a prescription.
Basic prescription aids: $1,000 to $2,500 per pair. Entry-level devices with core amplification and limited wireless features.
Mid-range prescription aids: $2,500 to $4,500 per pair. Bluetooth connectivity, directional microphones, rechargeable batteries.
Premium prescription aids: $4,500 to $7,000 or more per pair. AI-based sound processing, health tracking features, best performance in noise.
The NIDCD notes that the average cost of a single hearing aid in the US is approximately $2,400, and most people with hearing loss benefit from aids in both ears.
Watch for bundled vs. unbundled pricing. Bundled pricing includes the device, fitting, adjustments, and follow-up care in a single price. Unbundled pricing lists these separately. Unbundled pricing gives more transparency and can be more economical if you need fewer follow-up visits, but comparing prices across providers requires clarity about what each price includes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aids in 2026? No. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover hearing aids in 2026. This exclusion has been in place since Medicare was created in 1965. Medicare Part B does cover physician-ordered diagnostic hearing exams and cochlear implants when medically necessary. The Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act (H.R. 500), which would add hearing aid benefits, remains in committee as of April 2026 and is not yet law.
Does Medicaid pay for hearing aids for adults? It depends on your state. Medicaid covers hearing aids for children in all states through the EPSDT benefit. For adults, coverage is optional and varies. Some states offer full coverage; others offer a limited benefit or none at all. Contact your state Medicaid office or a SHIP counselor to verify current coverage in your state.
Are hearing aids tax deductible? Yes, in certain circumstances. Hearing aids are a qualified medical expense under IRS rules. They can be paid for using HSA or FSA funds on a pre-tax basis. They can also be claimed as an itemized medical deduction on your federal return if your total unreimbursed medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
What insurance covers hearing aids? Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) often include hearing aid allowances ranging from $500 to $2,000 per year. Some private commercial insurance plans include hearing benefits, though this is inconsistent. Medicaid covers hearing aids for children in all states and for adults in some states. VA benefits cover hearing aids for eligible veterans at no cost.
How can I get hearing aids for free or at low cost? Several options exist for eligible individuals. The VA provides hearing aids at no cost for qualifying veterans. Medicaid may cover them depending on your state and income. The Lions Clubs International Hearing Aid Recycling Program distributes refurbished aids at no cost. The Starkey Hearing Foundation assists low-income individuals. OTC hearing aids starting at around $200 are FDA-cleared for mild to moderate loss and require no prescription.
Does Medigap (Medicare Supplement) cover hearing aids? No. Medigap plans cover cost-sharing gaps in Original Medicare (deductibles, coinsurance, copays). Because Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids at all, Medigap has nothing to supplement on that benefit. Medigap does not add new benefits beyond what Original Medicare covers.
Does Medicare cover hearing aids for veterans? Medicare does not cover hearing aids for veterans any differently than for other beneficiaries. However, veterans who qualify for VA health care may receive hearing aids through the VA at no cost, separate from and in addition to their Medicare benefits. Veterans should contact their local VA medical center or apply for VA health care to explore eligibility.
For help navigating your hearing health coverage options, comparing plans, or understanding what your current insurance actually includes, the Momentary Lab health navigator provides resources for finding the right care path based on your specific situation.
