Does Medicare cover hearing aids?
Usually not covered
Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids or the exams to fit them, though it does cover diagnostic hearing tests ordered by a doctor, and some Medicare Advantage plans add hearing aid benefits.
- Covered when Your Medicare Advantage plan includes a hearing aid benefit — confirm the allowance amount and whether you're limited to specific device brands or suppliers.
- Covered when Your doctor orders a diagnostic hearing or balance exam to evaluate a medical condition — that exam itself is covered under Part B, even though the hearing aids that might follow are not.
- Not when You have Original Medicare only and are seeking a routine hearing aid fitting rather than a doctor-ordered diagnostic exam.
What flips the answer
- Covered when
Your Medicare Advantage plan includes a hearing aid benefit — confirm the allowance amount and whether you're limited to specific device brands or suppliers.
- Covered when
Your doctor orders a diagnostic hearing or balance exam to evaluate a medical condition — that exam itself is covered under Part B, even though the hearing aids that might follow are not.
- Not covered when
You have Original Medicare only and are seeking a routine hearing aid fitting rather than a doctor-ordered diagnostic exam.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Usually not covered
- Applies to
- hearing aids · Medicare
- Covered when
- Your Medicare Advantage plan includes a hearing aid benefit — confirm the allowance amount and whether you're limited to specific device brands or suppliers.
- Not covered when
- You have Original Medicare only and are seeking a routine hearing aid fitting rather than a doctor-ordered diagnostic exam.
- Verified
- 2026-07-02 · 1 primary source
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) excludes hearing aids and hearing aid fitting exams entirely. If you have Original Medicare only, you pay the full retail cost of the devices and the fitting process yourself.
There's an important distinction between a routine hearing aid fitting and a diagnostic hearing exam. Medicare Part B does cover a diagnostic hearing and balance exam when your doctor orders it to figure out whether you need medical treatment — that's a covered medical service, separate from getting fitted for hearing aids.
Medicare Advantage plans are where hearing aid coverage typically shows up. A large share of Advantage plans include some hearing benefit — often an allowance toward a specific set of devices from a network supplier — but the amount and device selection vary by plan and should be checked in the plan's Evidence of Coverage.
What people typically pay
With a Medicare Advantage hearing benefit, your out-of-pocket cost depends on the plan's allowance, any copay, and how the device price compares to the allowance — amounts vary widely by plan and device.
With Original Medicare only, you pay all costs, including the full price of the devices and any fitting fees. Prices vary widely by device technology and supplier; over-the-counter models are generally less expensive than prescription devices.
Prices vary widely by device technology, supplier, plan allowance, and location, so treat these as general descriptions rather than fixed figures.
Common questions
Does Original Medicare pay anything toward the hearing exam if I'm just getting fitted for hearing aids?
No. Original Medicare treats the routine hearing aid fitting exam as an excluded service, so you pay for it out of pocket. The only hearing test Part B covers is a diagnostic hearing or balance exam that a doctor orders to investigate a medical problem, which is separate from a fitting.
How do I find out if a Medicare Advantage plan covers hearing aids before I enroll?
Check the plan's Summary of Benefits and its Evidence of Coverage, both of which list any hearing aid allowance and whether you must use a specific supplier network. Plans often limit the benefit and restrict device selection, so read the fine print rather than assuming full coverage. You can compare plans in your area using the Medicare Plan Finder.
If a diagnostic hearing exam is covered by Part B, what will I still owe?
For a doctor-ordered diagnostic hearing or balance exam, your out-of-pocket cost is generally subject to standard Part B cost-sharing (such as the deductible and coinsurance) — check with your provider for the exact amount. This applies only to the medically necessary test, not to any hearing aids or fitting that follow, which remain your responsibility under Original Medicare.
Can a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy help pay for hearing aids?
Generally no. Medigap fills in cost-sharing for services Original Medicare already covers, and since Original Medicare excludes hearing aids, there is typically nothing for a Medigap plan to supplement. To get a hearing aid benefit through Medicare, you generally need a Medicare Advantage plan that includes one.
What are my options for lowering hearing aid costs if I only have Original Medicare?
Since you pay all costs yourself, people often look at over-the-counter hearing aids now sold without a prescription, warehouse-club or discount retailer programs, and manufacturer financing. Some state Medicaid programs, veterans' benefits, and charitable organizations may also help with devices depending on eligibility. These paths sit outside Medicare, so costs and availability vary widely.
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