Hearing Aid Financial Assistance

For hard-of-hearing seniors who struggle to watch TV, hang out with friends, or keep up at work, prescription hearing aids are essential. However, custom-made devices recommended by your hearing care professional are never free to build, making financial assistance a key factor for seniors on fixed incomes.

Original Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids, so you’ll need to look elsewhere for coverage. Luckily, there are a few healthcare plans, grants, tax deductions, and local nonprofits that can help. Read on to learn how you can cover the cost of your new hearing aids through these options.

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How To Get Free Hearing Aids Through Hearing Healthcare & Grant Programs

Original Medicare typically does not cover hearing aids, and while those over 65 can get some financial assistance through Medicare Advantage, those plans require monthly premiums. Instead, you can gain access to free or significantly reduced devices if you qualify for the following programs:

Medicaid

For certain disabled or low-income individuals, Medicaid plans not only help stretch their Social Security check further but can also cover hearing aids. However, as a joint federal and state healthcare plan, the specific income limits and other eligibility requirements vary by region.

Many programs, including State Assistive Technology (AT) initiatives, cover one hearing aid every few years up to a set dollar amount. For example, California’s Medi-Cal program covers one hearing aid every three years, while Texas’s CHIP program primarily provides hearing aids to enrollees under 21, rather than assisting adults or seniors.

In every state, your provider will need to prove that your hearing aids are a medical necessity—usually through a formal hearing test and subsequent prescription. Want to learn if you qualify? You can start the application process by visiting Medicaid.gov and searching for your state’s phone number and available programs.

Veterans Benefits

If you’re a senior veteran with hearing loss related to your service, you’ll likely qualify for financial assistance through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In fact, hearing loss and tinnitus are some of the most common service-related disabilities addressed by VA Benefits.

For instance, options that are open to you may include:

• VA Health Care: If you can prove that your hearing loss is related to your service, VA Health Care will cover the full cost of evaluation, fitting, repairs, and batteries. Keep in mind that, depending on your priority group, disability rating, and financial need, you may need to wait anywhere from a few weeks to several months to receive your covered device.
• VA Audiology Services: The VA operates its own audiology clinics, where eligible veterans can receive covered hearing evaluations, fittings, and follow-up care. This means that financial assistance often extends beyond the hearing aid device and into full hearing healthcare for veterans.
• Veteran Directed Care (VDC): Senior veterans who qualify for VDC have access to Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) that can be leveraged to cover hearing aids and other healthcare needs.

State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one-fifth of American seniors aged 65 and older are still working as of 2023. If you’re one of the many seniors whose hearing loss is impacting your ability to work, your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency may cover the cost of hearing aids as part of a broader rehabilitation services plan.

Similar to Medicaid, eligibility requirements and benefits vary by state. To qualify, you’ll need to prove that your hearing loss creates an employment barrier and that new hearing aids would help you return to work. From there, a VR counselor will work with you to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). IPEs can cover anything from fittings and batteries to follow-up care.

To get started, find your state’s VR agency on the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) website and submit an application. Wait times also vary by state, so reaching out as soon as you can is often worthwhile.

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Nonprofit Hearing Aid Assistance

If you’re not a veteran, not working, or don’t qualify for Medicaid, there are several nonprofits that can help you access affordable, if not free, hearing aids. These are some of the most reputable options recommended by the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), though you should keep in mind that availability varies by region:

• Area Agency on Aging (AAA): There are over 600 AAA locations nationwide, allowing seniors to access hearing aid programs in every state. Visit your local location, and a case manager can research the best grants and other funding programs for your situation.
• The Hearing Aid Project: A nonprofit initiative started by Sertoma International that provides free hearing aids to qualifying low-income individuals. After you submit an application, the project carefully refurbishes and fits donated devices to your specific hearing needs.
• Miracle-Ear Foundation: Offers a Gift of Sound program that gives hearing aids to seniors who meet the eligibility requirements—usually after exhausting all other options first. Your household income must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, and there is a $200 application fee.
• Starkey Cares: Through the Hear Now program, eligible seniors can access hearing aids after submitting an application fee of $125 per hearing aid ($250 for a pair). Like with the previous option, you’ll need to meet strict financial guidelines.
• Lions Clubs: These nonprofits are comprised of volunteers who implement projects and programs in their communities. Hearing aid programs vary by local club, though most seniors with incomes at or below 200% of the state’s poverty level can access support.

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Meeting Eligibility Criteria For Tax Deductions

Prescription hearing aids should be tax-deductible as long as their total cost exceeds 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI). To make sure your deduction is accepted on your federal income tax return, you’ll need to:

• Receive a formal prescription from an audiologist showing that the primary purpose of the hearing aids is to treat hearing loss or tinnitus.
• Keep all receipts and documentation related to audiologist consultation fees, fitting and adjustment costs, battery and accessory purchases, and any repair or maintenance invoices from throughout the tax year.
• Consult with a tax professional to confirm eligibility and maximize deductions.

Like dentures or eyeglasses, hearing aids are a qualifying medical expense that’s usually easy to deduct. Simply submit everything you need under IRS Publication 502’s guidelines, and you should be able to reduce the amount you owe in taxes.

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Our Takeaway: Medicare Doesn’t Cover Hearing Aids, but Other Programs Can Help Reduce Costs

Hearing aids are an essential investment for seniors who struggle with listening to conversations or adapting to noisy environments due to hearing loss. However, since Original Medicare doesn’t pay for hearing aids, it’s important to research other financial assistance options. We’ve outlined several of these options, including Medicaid, Veterans Benefits, VR, and local nonprofits. Explore what’s available to you based on your age, income, and disabilities.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Hearing Aid Financial Assistance

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