Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? A Complete 2026 Guide

What Original Medicare Covers (and Does Not Cover) for Hearing

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) has a significant gap when it comes to hearing care. Medicare Part B does not cover routine hearing exams, hearing tests used to fit hearing aids, or the cost of hearing aids themselves. This exclusion affects millions of Medicare beneficiaries — nearly two-thirds of adults over 70 have some degree of hearing loss.

Original Medicare does cover certain hearing-related services when they are medically necessary. If your doctor orders a diagnostic hearing exam or balance test to determine the cause of hearing loss, dizziness, or related symptoms, Medicare Part B may cover that exam (after the Part B deductible). The key distinction is between a diagnostic exam — ordered by a physician to investigate a medical issue — and a routine hearing screening or fitting exam.

OTC Hearing Aids: An Affordable Option Since 2022

In October 2022, the FDA established a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. For the first time, people with hearing loss can purchase FDA-cleared hearing devices without seeing an audiologist or getting a prescription — from stores like CVS, Walmart, Best Buy, and Walgreens, as well as online.

OTC hearing aids typically range from $100 to $1,500 per pair, compared to $2,000–$7,000 or more per pair for prescription hearing aids from a licensed audiologist. This price difference makes OTC aids a meaningful option for seniors on fixed incomes who lack hearing aid coverage through their Medicare plan.

OTC hearing aids are appropriate only for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss. If you have severe or profound hearing loss, or if you experience sudden hearing loss, single-sided deafness, ear pain, or drainage from the ear, you should see a physician or audiologist rather than attempting to self-fit an OTC device.

How Medicare Advantage Plans Cover Hearing Aids

Unlike Original Medicare, many Medicare Advantage plans (also called Part C) include hearing aid benefits as part of their supplemental benefits package. The specific benefit varies widely by plan. Some plans offer a fixed annual allowance toward hearing aids and exams — for example, a $1,500/year allowance that covers one pair of hearing aids. Others provide coverage for specific devices from a network of hearing providers such as TruHearing, Nations Hearing, or Hearing Care Solutions.

MA hearing benefits often include one routine hearing exam per year plus the hearing aid allowance. The exam may be at no cost to you, or it may carry a small copay. For hearing aids, you typically visit an in-network audiologist or hearing specialist, select aids from a plan-approved catalog, and pay any amount exceeding your allowance.

Hearing aid coverage quality among Medicare Advantage plans ranges from basic (exams only, no aid coverage) to comprehensive (annual allowance of $1,500–$3,000 or more per ear). The exact benefit available in your area depends on which plans are offered in your county — and, as with all MA benefits, the hearing benefit can change from plan year to plan year.

The Real Cost of Hearing Loss Without Coverage

Without insurance coverage, prescription hearing aids from an audiologist or hearing aid center cost an average of $2,000–$7,000 per pair, with the national average around $4,600 for a pair of mid-level devices. Costco Hearing Center offers lower prices (often $1,400–$2,000/pair) due to volume purchasing, and many find the quality comparable to higher-priced products sold in private practices.

Beyond the device cost, untreated hearing loss has significant quality-of-life consequences, including social isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and increased fall risk. Research increasingly links untreated hearing loss to accelerated cognitive decline and a higher risk of dementia — making hearing care a health priority, not just a comfort issue.

How to Find a Medicare Advantage Plan With Hearing Coverage

To find Medicare Advantage plans with hearing benefits in your area, use Medicare.gov's Plan Finder and search by your ZIP code. Each plan's summary of benefits will list hearing aid coverage details, including the annual allowance, eligible device types, and any network requirements.

During the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7), you can switch from Original Medicare or a different MA plan to one that includes hearing coverage. Coverage changes take effect January 1. If you have an upcoming hearing need, plan ahead and review your options each fall.

Frequently Asked Questions