Does Medicare cover it? A to Z
Does Medicare cover hearing aids?
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Short answer
Not covered by Original Medicare
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn't cover hearing aids or the exams to fit them, so you pay the full cost of hearing aids yourself.
Medicare Part B does cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams that your doctor orders, and in 2026 you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for them after the $283 Part B deductible.
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer hearing benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover; what they include and what they cost vary from plan to plan.
| Fact | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing aids | Not covered: you pay all costs | Medicare.gov |
| Exams to fit hearing aids | Not covered | Medicare.gov |
| Diagnostic hearing and balance exams | Covered by Part B when your doctor orders them | Medicare.gov |
| Audiologist visit without a doctor's order | Once every 12 months, for non-acute hearing conditions | Medicare.gov |
| What you pay for a covered exam | 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the $283 Part B deductible | Medicare.gov; CMS |
What does Medicare cover for hearing?
Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance (fall risk) exams when your doctor or other health care provider orders them to find out whether you need medical treatment.
You can also see an audiologist once every 12 months without an order, but only for non-acute hearing conditions, like hearing loss that develops over many years, and for diagnostic services related to hearing loss treated with surgically implanted hearing devices.
What do I pay for a covered hearing exam?
After you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for a covered hearing or balance exam. In a hospital outpatient setting you also pay the hospital a copayment. Hearing aids and exams to fit them aren't covered, so you pay all of those costs.
Does Medicare Advantage cover hearing aids?
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover, including hearing. Each plan sets what it covers, the providers you can use and what you pay, so read the plan's Evidence of Coverage or compare plans in your ZIP code on Medicare.gov's Plan Finder. See how Medicare Advantage differs from Original Medicare.
Does Medigap pay for hearing aids?
No. A Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy helps pay Original Medicare's deductibles, coinsurance and copays for services Medicare covers. Because Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, Medigap doesn't pay for them either.
Can I buy hearing aids without a prescription?
Yes, for many adults. Since October 17, 2022, the FDA has allowed over-the-counter hearing aids for people 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, sold in stores and online without a prescription. Prescription hearing aids, for any level of hearing loss, are fitted by a licensed hearing health care professional.
Good to know
More questions people ask
Does Medicare cover a hearing test?
Does Medigap cover hearing aids?
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids?
Who can buy over-the-counter hearing aids?
Related questions
- Medicare.gov: Hearing aids
- Medicare.gov: Hearing and balance exams
- FDA: OTC hearing aids, what you should know
Figures are Medicare’s, set nationally, and were checked against these pages on October 2026. For your own situation, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048).
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This page was last updated: October 2026.