No. Original Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids, fitting exams, or audiologist visits. Some Medicare Advantage plans include a hearing benefit (typically $500–$3,000 every 1–3 years), but the cap and network rules mean most people still pay out of pocket. Below: what hearing aids actually cost in 2026 and what your real options are.
Last reviewed May 16, 2026
Medicare excludes hearing aids by statute — the original 1965 Medicare law specifically carved them out as a non-covered benefit, and Congress hasn't changed it. The Build Back Better Act proposed adding hearing coverage in 2021 but the provision was removed from the final bill. As of 2026, Original Medicare (Parts A + B) pays nothing toward hearing aids, hearing aid fittings, or the audiologist visits that go with them. The only exception: a diagnostic hearing exam ordered by your doctor (to investigate dizziness, sudden hearing loss, or a related symptom) is covered under Part B — but anything that follows from that exam (the actual device, the fitting, the follow-up) is on you. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include a hearing benefit as part of their bundle. The benefit is typically $500–$3,000 every 1–3 years, almost always with a network requirement (you use an MA-contracted audiologist, not your own) and often with a basic-vs-premium device tier carve-out (the benefit pays toward entry-level devices; premium tiers still cost extra). MediGAP doesn't help — it supplements what Original Medicare covers, and Original covers nothing, so there's nothing to supplement. Part D is prescription drugs only. The Veterans Administration (VA) does cover hearing aids fully for eligible veterans. Medicaid covers them in some states; rules vary.
| Over-the-Counter (OTC) | Prescription / Rx | |
|---|---|---|
| FDA category | Class I — OTC since 2022 | Class II — requires audiologist fitting |
| Typical price per pair | $200–$1,500 | $2,000–$8,000 |
| Where to buy | Walgreens, Costco, CVS, Best Buy, Amazon, direct-to-consumer (Eargo, Jabra Enhance, Lexie, MDHearingAid) | Audiologist offices, ENT clinics, some big-box retailers (Costco Hearing Center, Sam's Club) |
| Audiologist fitting required? | No — self-fit, you adjust via an app | Yes — required by law for Class II devices |
| Best for | Mild to moderate hearing loss; tech-comfortable users; budget-conscious | Severe-to-profound loss; complex hearing patterns; users who want a clinician dialing in their device |
| Telehealth / remote tuning | Yes — most have a smartphone app for self-adjustment | Mixed — increasingly available but still mostly in-clinic |
| Trial period | Typically 30–60 days (varies by retailer) | Audiologist-set; commonly 30–45 days; some states mandate 45+ |
7 ranked picks across price tiers, fit profiles, and styles — cross-referenced from Consumer Reports, WIRED, NCOA, HearAdvisor, and other independent sources.
Ranked by fit, not commission. Each link below earns DoesItCover.com a referral if you buy — that's how the site stays free — but the ranking is set by fit profile, price, and quality, never by what pays the highest.
Nearly invisible in-canal hearing aids, fit virtually with a licensed audiologist via video.
Best for: Active adults who want prescription-level audiology without an in-office visit. The Eargo 7 model includes Sound Adjust+ AI that adapts to your environment.
See Eargo →Premium behind-the-ear hearing aids paired with telehealth audiologist support for life.
Best for: People who want prescription quality plus included audiologist visits (video) for as long as you own the device. Risk-free 100-day trial.
See Jabra Enhance →Self-fit OTC hearing aids at Walgreens, Best Buy, and online — tuned via app.
Best for: First-time hearing aid buyers who want a real-brand OTC option without an audiologist visit. Bose-engineered audio in the B2 model; tune via the Lexie app.
See Lexie →The 1965 Medicare law specifically excluded hearing aids, dental, and vision from the program. Congress has proposed adding hearing coverage several times — most recently in the 2021 Build Back Better Act — but the provision has been cut every time. As of 2026 the exclusion stands.
Maybe, but don't plan around it. The political appetite for adding the benefit has existed for years and the price tag (estimated at $80 billion+ over 10 years for hearing/dental/vision combined) keeps it deprioritized. Plan for out-of-pocket spending or an MA plan with a hearing benefit.
For mild to moderate hearing loss — yes, in most cases. The FDA approved the OTC category in 2022 after decades of audiologist lobbying against it; multiple peer-reviewed studies have since shown OTC devices perform comparably to prescription for the loss profile they're rated for. For severe or profound loss, complex hearing patterns, or single-sided deafness, you still need prescription and a clinician.
Only if your doctor orders a diagnostic exam to investigate a specific symptom (sudden hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus from a recent injury). Routine hearing exams for the purpose of buying hearing aids are not covered. A 2023 rule change lets you see an audiologist for some diagnostic services without a physician referral, but the exam still has to be diagnostic in purpose, not for fitting.
Costco's hearing aid program is the most consistently affordable in-clinic prescription option — Kirkland Signature 10.0 hearing aids run about $1,599/pair and come with audiologist fittings, lifetime adjustments, and a generous return policy. You need a Costco membership ($65/year). It's not OTC — it's prescription delivered through a big-box retailer.
Depends on the plan. The benefit headline ($500–$3,000) is often less than half what nice prescription hearing aids actually cost, and the plan usually requires you to buy through their contracted audiologist network using their preferred device list. Many people on MA plans still end up paying $1,000–$3,000 out of pocket on top of the benefit. Always confirm the network + device list before counting on it.
Yes — some Medicaid programs cover hearing aids (varies by state), the VA covers them fully for eligible veterans, the Hearing Industries Association maintains a directory of nonprofits and state programs, and Costco's pricing is itself a form of effective subsidy. Lions Club International has affiliate clubs that distribute used / refurbished hearing aids in many communities.