Several government programs, nonprofits, and insurance options can help you get hearing aids at no cost or significantly reduced prices. The path that works best depends on your age, income, veteran status, and where you live. Here’s a breakdown of every realistic option.
Veterans: Free Hearing Aids Through the VA
If you’re a veteran, the VA is one of the most straightforward sources of free hearing aids in the country. You don’t need a service-connected hearing loss rating to qualify. Once you’re enrolled in VA healthcare, you can schedule an appointment at any VA Audiology and Speech Pathology Clinic for a hearing evaluation. If the audiologist determines you need hearing aids, the devices, all future repairs, and replacement batteries are provided at no charge for as long as you maintain VA eligibility.
To get started, register at the Health Administration or enrollment section of any VA Medical Center. If you’re already enrolled, you can go directly to scheduling your audiology appointment.
Medicaid Coverage by State
Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults in roughly 35 states plus the District of Columbia. If you qualify for Medicaid in one of these states, hearing aids are a covered benefit: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Coverage details vary. In Utah, for example, hearing aids are only covered for congenital conditions. In New Mexico, coverage under the state’s alternative benefit plan is limited to 19- and 20-year-olds. Some states cover one pair every three to five years, while others replace them more frequently. Contact your state’s Medicaid office to find out exactly what’s included and whether you meet income requirements.
If you live in a state not on this list, Medicaid still covers hearing aids for children under 21 nationwide through the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) benefit.
Medicare: Limited but Worth Checking
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover hearing aids or hearing aid fitting exams. You pay the full cost out of pocket. However, many Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) include hearing benefits that go beyond what Original Medicare offers. Some cover hearing aids partially or fully, depending on the plan. If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, call the number on your member card to ask about hearing aid coverage. If you’re shopping for plans during open enrollment, hearing benefits are worth comparing.
Nonprofits That Provide Free Hearing Aids
Several national organizations provide hearing aids at no cost or deeply discounted prices to people with limited income. Each has its own eligibility criteria, but all are designed for people who can’t afford devices through other channels.
- Hear Now (Starkey Hearing Foundation): A national program that assists people with limited financial resources who permanently reside in the U.S. You can reach them at 800-481-5412.
- AUDIENT (Northwest Lions Foundation): Connects income-qualified individuals with quality hearing aids and related care at significantly reduced costs through a network of providers. Call 866-956-5400.
- Sertoma and Hearing Charities of America: Based in Kansas City, they can be reached at 816-333-8300.
- Travelers Protective Association (TPA) Scholarship Trust for the Deaf and Near-Deaf: Provides financial aid to children and adults who need help paying for hearing devices, specialized treatment, or related services. Call 877-872-2638.
- Miracle-Ear Children’s Foundation: Provides free new or reconditioned hearing aids to children up to age 16 in families whose income is too high for public assistance but too low to afford devices. Call 800-234-5422.
- Hike Fund: Covers hearing devices for children from birth through age 20 whose families can’t afford them. Call 712-325-0812.
Most of these programs require you to disclose financial information to prove need. Processing times vary, so apply as early as possible.
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
If you need hearing aids to keep your current job or to get hired, your state’s vocational rehabilitation (VR) office may pay for them. Every state has a VR agency funded through a combination of federal and state dollars, and hearing aids are among the assistive devices they commonly provide. Eligibility is based on having a disability that creates a barrier to employment, not strictly on income. Contact your local VR office to start the process with a counselor who will assess your needs.
Private Insurance Mandates
Depending on your state, your private health insurance may be legally required to cover at least part of the cost of hearing aids. Most state mandates apply to children, but a few states extend coverage to adults:
- Arkansas: Up to $1,400 per hearing aid every three years for children and adults.
- Connecticut: Up to $1,000 every 24 months for children and adults.
- Illinois: Hearing aids once every 12 months for children and adults, subject to your plan’s standard cost-sharing.
- New Hampshire: Up to $1,500 per hearing aid every five years for children and adults.
Many more states mandate coverage for children only. Georgia, for instance, covers up to $3,000 per ear every four years for children 18 and under. North Carolina covers up to $2,500 per hearing aid every three years for individuals under 22. Check with your insurer or your state’s insurance commissioner to see what applies to your plan. Self-funded employer plans (common at large companies) are regulated under federal law and may not be subject to state mandates.
School District Obligations for Children
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), public schools must ensure that hearing aids worn by children with hearing impairments are functioning properly during the school day. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that identifies hearing loss, the school district is responsible for making sure the devices work in the educational setting. Schools are not required to purchase hearing aids initially or replace surgically implanted devices, but they are part of the support network that keeps a child’s hearing technology working.
Tax Deductions on Hearing Aid Costs
If none of the above programs cover your full costs, hearing aids qualify as a deductible medical expense on your federal taxes. You can deduct the portion of your total medical expenses that exceeds 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. For someone earning $50,000, that means medical costs above $3,750 could be deducted. Since a pair of hearing aids can easily cost $2,000 to $6,000, this deduction can be meaningful, especially if you have other medical expenses in the same year. You’ll need to itemize deductions on Schedule A rather than taking the standard deduction for this to apply.
Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids as a Lower-Cost Alternative
Since 2022, the FDA has allowed over-the-counter hearing aids to be sold directly to consumers without a prescription or professional fitting. These devices are designed for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss and typically cost between $200 and $1,000 per pair, a fraction of what prescription hearing aids run. They’re available at pharmacies, electronics retailers, and online. OTC hearing aids won’t work for severe hearing loss, but for many people they’re a practical and affordable starting point.