Key takeaways:
The average cost of a pair of hearing aids can range from $2,000 to $7,000.
In August 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids for adults that is expected to improve access and reduce costs. These OTC devices will be available without a medical exam, prescription, or fitting by an audiologist.
Original Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans and other commercial health insurance plans do.
Table of contents
Over-the-counter hearing aids
Insurance
Hearing aids for seniors
Sound amplification vs. hearing aids
Are hearing aids worth the cost?
Hearing aid styles
Best hearing aids for the cost
Cost of repairs
Bottom line
References
More than 37 million people — around 15% of U.S. adults — report difficulty hearing. Out of every 1,000 U.S. children, 2 or 3 are born with hearing loss in one or both ears.
Among people ages 65 to 74, nearly 25% have disabling hearing loss. Half of seniors 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.
Hearing aids can help people communicate better, improve quality of life, and may delay cognitive decline in older adults. Still, only a fraction of people who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used the devices.
One reason that more people don’t use hearing aids is the cost, which is often $2,000 to $7,000 per pair without insurance.
Previously, there was an extra hurdle to cross, as you could only get hearing aids through a physician, audiologist, or hearing care professional.
Are hearing aids available over the counter?
Yes. In August 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) created a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for adults. These hearing aids will be available without a medical exam, prescription, or fitting by an audiologist or other hearing professional.
This improved access to hearing aids will be effective in October 2022 and is expected to reduce costs. The cost of a pair of hearing aids could drop to less than $1,000.
According to the FDA, the OTC category applies to certain air-conduction hearing aids intended for adults who have perceived mild or moderate hearing impairment. Hearing aids that do not meet this definition — such as those for children or for people with severe hearing impairment — remain prescription devices. Personal sound amplification devices (PSAPs), which will be discussed later, are OTC devices for people with normal hearing and are not classified as hearing aids.
The new FDA updates are intended to increase access and affordability by:
Removing the barrier of high costs for hearing aids
Offering an alternative, as original Medicare does not cover hearing aids
Unbundling the cost from professional services, fitting, adjustment, or maintenance
Reducing the time it takes to obtain a hearing aid
Offers better access to people who cannot or do not shop online
Increasing the value of value of hearing aids (perceived hearing improvement relative to price)
Hearing aid manufacturers will have 8 months to comply with new or revised rules. Prices are expected to drop by spring 2023.
How much of the cost of hearing aids does insurance cover?
Many commercial health insurance plans do not cover hearing aids. Often, a hearing plan is an add-on with partial coverage like dental and vision benefits. For instance: A plan will pay up to a certain amount, and you are responsible for the rest. A hearing benefit may not renew annually but every 3 to 5 years.
Some states require commercial insurance plans to cover hearing aids for children. At least one state requires coverage of cochlear implants for children. A few states require commercial insurance plans to cover hearing aids for adults and children.
Hearing aid benefits vary by insurance plan. Some of the factors that determine coverage include:
Type of insurance plan
Insurance provider
State of residence
Insured person’s age
Original Medicare, which provides coverage to people ages 65 and older, does not cover hearing aids or hearing exams. (Original Medicare will cover a diagnostic hearing exam determined medically necessary by a healthcare provider.)
Most Medicare Advantage plans will cover hearing aids and tests, but benefits vary. Veterans with diagnosed hearing loss who are enrolled in Veterans Affairs healthcare are eligible for hearing aids at no cost. VA services include devices, fittings, repairs, and future batteries.
Medicaid must cover hearing aids for children as well as associated tests. Medicaid’s hearing benefits for adults vary by state. Check out our article on Medicaid's services and benefits to find out more about your state’s Medicaid program.
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Where can seniors get hearing aids?
There are many places where seniors can find hearing aids. This is important, because people are more likely to experience hearing loss as they get older. As mentioned earlier, nearly 25% of people ages 65 to 74 have disabling hearing loss. This condition affects half of seniors 75 and older.
Beginning in October 2022, you will have access to over-the-counter hearing aids.
Otherwise, you may want to take the traditional route to obtain a hearing aid. If so, your first step is a diagnosis of hearing loss. Hearing loss can be mild to severe. A physician can screen you for hearing loss. An audiologist can give you a hearing evaluation and may prescribe one or two hearing aids.
Typically, hearing aids are sold by an audiologist or a hearing aid retailer.
Many retailers operate online. In-person sales can range from hearing aid manufacturers in local boutiques to hearing aid kiosks at malls and counters in big-box stores.
Major hearing aid manufacturers include:
Oticon
Starkey
Sonic
If you need help accessing free or low-cost hearing aids, you may qualify for one of the following programs:
Area Agencies on Aging: Consult the Eldercare Locator for your local Area Agency on Aging, a social services organization that may be able to help you access hearing aids at little to no cost.
Sertoma: This international service organization focuses on hearing health and, as a partner of Hearing Charities of America, maintains a list of hearing aid resources.
Starkey Hearing Foundation: This global nonprofit, which is affiliated with a U.S. hearing aid manufacturer, provides hearing aids to people in the U.S. and worldwide who are unable to afford the devices.
Veterans Health Administration (VA): Veterans with VA benefits who are diagnosed with hearing loss are eligible for hearing aids, fittings, repairs, and batteries at no cost.
How are hearing aids different from sound-amplification devices?
Personal sound-amplification products, or PSAPs, are not considered alternatives to hearing aids. According to the FDA, hearing aids and PSAPs are intended for different purposes.
Both devices amplify sound for users. Hearing aids are medical devices used to improve impaired hearing. PSAPs are considered consumer devices for people with normal hearing to use in certain situations. PSAPs are sold over the counter.
Are expensive hearing aids worth the money?
It depends. The kind of hearing aids you will need depends on your level of hearing loss and other factors, which include:
Style and size (options range from behind the ear, the largest kind, to invisible in canal)
Number (whether you’ll need one or two)
Features (Bluetooth connectivity, artificial intelligence)
Maintenance (disposable or rechargeable batteries, expected repairs)
Extended warranties
Don’t use price alone to determine the best hearing aid for you. Consider your lifestyle and hearing needs.
You may be able to reduce the cost of hearing aids by unbundling certain services, such as follow-up visits. If you have minor hearing loss, you may be able to achieve your hearing goals with an OTC hearing aid starting in October 2022 or a personal sound-amplification product.
What are the different styles of hearing aids?
Here are the styles of hearing aids — from bulkiest and most noticeable to smallest and least noticeable:
| Style | Acronym | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the ear | BTE | Largest; often chosen for young children |
| Receiver in the canal or ear | RIC | Sits behind the ear, but smaller than BTE |
| In the ear | ITE | Sits in the outer ear (“bowl” of the ear) |
| In the canal | ITC | Rests on the canal opening |
| Completely in the canal | CIC | Almost all of the device is inside the ear |
| Invisible in canal | IIC | Undetectable; sits deep in the ear canal |
What are the best hearing aids for their cost?
The best hearing aids for you depend on your needs and your budget.
The new option for over-the-counter hearing aids is expected to bring quality devices to the market for the most affordable prices beginning October 2022. Hearing aid manufacturers will have 8 months to comply with new or revised rules. Prices are expected to drop by spring 2023.
According to CareCredit, a medical financing company, a pair of behind-the-ear hearing aids can cost from $1,000 to $6,000. You also may be able to negotiate a payment plan for your hearing aids.
Forbes reported the prices of hearing aids in 2022, before the new over-the-counter rule. This snapshot is per device and by style, a may be more or less depending on customizations and bundling for associated services:
| Style | Brands | Price for a single aid |
|---|---|---|
| Behind the ear | Widex, Oticon | $2,698 to $3,247 |
| Receiver in the canal or ear | Signia Styletto X | $2,466 |
| In the ear | ReSound LiNX Quattro (MIH) | $3,167 |
| In the canal | Starkey | $2,500 to $4,900 |
| Completely in the canal | Phonak Virto M-Titanium | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Invisible in canal | Starkey Picasso | $1,500 to $3,100 |
You may receive a discount on the second aid if you need to buy two.
How much does it cost to have hearing aids repaired?
Most hearing aids come with a warranty, and you may be able to buy an extended warranty. These warranties usually last several years and include a certain number of repairs. Sometimes, you will have an out-of-pocket “office charge” at the repair shop for each visit on a device under warranty.
Without a warranty, the cost of a repair depends on which part of the hearing aid is affected. Prices vary for common problems such as a damaged microphone or faceplate. Some repairs can run into the hundreds of dollars. If your hearing aids require repeat repairs, or you have had your device for more than 5 years, you may consider upgrading to a new device with the latest technology.
Often, repair shops will give you loaner hearing aids while your devices are being fixed.
What is the average lifespan of a hearing aid?
Even hearing aids that are given the best care have a limited lifespan.
Depending on the manufacturer, most hearing aids last 3 to 7 years.
Are hearing aids purchases tax deductible?
Yes. Hearing aids are included on IRS Publication 502, which lists tax-deductible medical expenses. You can deduct:
Cost of hearing aids
Cost of maintenance
Cost replacement parts (batteries, etc.)
Cost of repairs
Are Costco hearing aids good?
Big-box warehouse store Costco sells different types of hearing aids under its Kirkland Signature label and other brands. If you are a Costco member, you can have a free hearing test at a Costco Hearing Aid Center.
As a discount warehouse, Costco offers competitive prices. Hearing Aid Center staff members don’t work on commissions, which avoids a high-pressure selling environment.
How much do Costco’s hearing aids cost?
The cost of Costco’s hearing aids depends on the brand and type of hearing aid. Costco brands include its own Kirkland Signature as well as Jabra, Philips, Phonak, and Rexton. Costco’s Kirkland Signature devices typically cost less than the other brands.
At the time of this article, a pair of Kirkland Signature 10.0 receiver-in-the-canal devices were advertised for $1,399.99. These rechargeable hearing aids have Bluetooth technology and are available in several colors. The cost increases if you need custom earmolds.
Can I buy hearing aids at Costco without a membership?
No. You must be a Costco member to access the Costco Hearing Aid Center.
How often should hearing aids be checked?
Hearing aids should be checked professionally every 3 months, according to manufacturers, to make sure they are clean and working properly.
You also should clean your devices at home daily and run diagnostic self-checks every month.
The bottom line
If you need a hearing aid and don’t have insurance coverage, be prepared to pay $2,000 to $7,000 for a pair. Discount retailers, payment plans, and healthcare credit may help you handle the cost if you need to pay the full price out of pocket.
Under an August 2022 federal rule creating the option of over-the-counter hearing aids, you may be able to get your device for much less — and without a medical exam, prescription, or fitting by an audiologist or other hearing professional. The OTC hearing aids will be available starting in October 2022.
Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids, but many Medicare Advantage plans do. Many commercial insurance plans offer partial or full coverage. Medicaid covers hearing aids for children and, in some states, adults as well. If you are eligible for VA healthcare and need hearing aids, you can receive them at no cost.
If you can’t afford hearing aids, there are programs that may be able to help cover the costs. An OTC personal sound-amplification product also may be appropriate for your needs.
References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Hearing evaluation.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (n.d.). Paying for hearing aids.
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Federal Register. (2022). Medical Devices: Ear, nose, and throat devices; establishing over-the-counter hearing aids.
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U.S. Administration on Aging. (n.d.). Eldercare locator.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2020). Rehabilitation and prosthetic services.
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GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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