Financial Assistance for Seniors Buying Hearing Aids

Hearing aids can be a significant expense, especially medical-grade devices purchased through an audiologist. However, the price tag shouldn’t deter you from seeking professional hearing care if you need it. Hearing aids undoubtedly improve everyday quality of life for those who struggle to hear, and studies have shown that wearing them can even improve brain function for those with hearing loss.

Additionally, there are some financial assistance options available for seniors that can make hearing aids more affordable. Below, we explain some of the most common sources of help paying for hearing aids.

Veterans Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs offers numerous health benefits through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). One of these benefits is audiology services, including diagnosis and treatment with a professional audiologist. VHA Audiology can prescribe modern hearing aids from some of the top manufacturers including Phonak, Starkey, and Signia. Some people may need to pay a copay for these services, but VHA care is free for those who meet income requirements.

Qualifying for VHA Assistance

Most veterans who served active duty qualify for VHA services and assistance. Veterans must have served for 24 continuous months or the full length of time for which they were called to service. Some exceptions exist, such as for those who were honorably discharged or served prior to September 1, 1980. You can learn more about eligibility for VA health care on the official VA website, and apply online or over the phone.

Medicare

Medicare parts A and B, also known as Original Medicare, is the program that most people automatically qualify for upon turning 65. Unfortunately, Original Medicare does not cover any portion of hearing aids or hearing exams. However, most Medicare Advantage plans, which are purchased separately from Original Medicare through private insurers, offer additional benefits beyond what standard Medicare provides. Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing care, which can include diagnostic services, working with an audiologist, and/or the cost of hearing aids themselves. If you currently use a hearing aid or need hearing care, be sure to specifically look for a plan with this coverage when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicaid

Medicaid may provide some financial assistance for hearing aids, but it depends where you live. Because Medicaid is a joint program between federal and state governments, Medicaid benefits can vary depending on your state. Some services, like hospital care, are required by the federal government to be included in all states’ Medicaid programs. But since hearing care is not one of these required services, the conditions of coverage vary from state to state. Some states cover the cost of hearing aids in addition to diagnostic services, follow-up care, and more; in others, hearing aids and hearing care may not be covered at all. Look into your state’s Medicaid coverage of hearing aids to find out if this assistance is available for you.

National and State Resources for Free/Subsidized Hearing Aids

In addition to the financial assistance options described above, there are national, state, or local resources available to help people access affordable hearing aids. Below, we list some of the national resources for seniors who need help finding free or low-cost hearing aids. To find additional local or state resources in your area, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.

What You Should Know About Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids and FDA-Approved Hearing Aids

With the rise of telehealth and online shopping, there are many companies from which you can now buy a hearing aid online rather than by visiting an audiologist. However, valid concerns have been raised by hearing care professionals that these direct-to-consumer hearing products can potentially harm wearers. If not programmed correctly by a specialist, there is a risk that the sound will amplify too much and be too loud, further damaging the wearer’s hearing and ears.

Still, that is not to say that all hearing aids you can buy online or over the counter are unsafe. It’s important to understand the difference between over-the-counter sound amplifiers, direct-to-consumer hearing aids, and FDA-approved hearing aids so you can make the most informed choice when choosing a device for yourself or a loved one.

The Difference Between Hearing Aids and OTC Hearing Amplifiers

First and foremost, it’s essential to know that there is no such thing as over-the-counter hearing aids currently being sold in the United States. The FDA has not yet approved any over-the-counter hearing aids for sale, which means any hearing device you can simply buy in a store without input from a specialist is not a hearing aid- it’s a personal sound amplifier product (PSAP).

PSAPs function differently than hearing aids and amplify all sounds rather than specific ones. They’re also not customizable and present a risk of over-amplification that can cause hearing damage and exacerbate existing hearing loss. PSAPs are not recommended for people with hearing loss; rather, they’re meant for someone without hearing loss to wear in certain situations when necessary.

The FDA is in the process of approving over-the-counter hearing aids. However, even once these are approved, we recommend still working with an audiologist when possible. Without professional input, you’ll still run a higher risk of exacerbating hearing problems or simply not using your devices to the maximum benefit.

Buying Hearing Aids Online

Most of the companies included on this page are direct-to-consumer brands, meaning that you can buy a hearing aid from them, usually online, without visiting an audiologists’ office. Many of them are FDA-registered, Class I medical devices. These FDA-registered hearing aids you can buy online are not PSAPs; they are proper hearing aids designed to help people diagnosed with hearing loss.

However, it’s important to note that FDA registration is not the same thing as FDA approval. Class I medical devices pose the lowest risk of harm to consumers and thus are not required to undergo the testing process necessary for FDA approval before reaching the market. Being FDA-registered simply means that the FDA knows that the product is being manufactured. On the other hand, FDA approval means that there has been sufficient testing of the product and it has been determined that the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

Hearing aids sold directly to consumers online can certainly still be safe and effective as long as they are custom-programmed for wearers’ sound profiles, ideally by an audiologist. If you’re on a budget, buying a hearing aid online from a company that offers remote care and adjustments with an audiologist can be the best way to get a high-quality and safe hearing aid.

FDA-Approved Hearing Aids

Some hearing aids are defined as Class II medical devices, meaning that they pose a greater potential risk to wearers and thus must be FDA-approved to be on the market. Hearing aids that are class II medical devices include bone-conduction hearing aids, which you should absolutely only wear if prescribed, implanted, and programmed by an audiologist, otolaryngologist, or another skilled medical professional. If you ever see this type of hearing aid available for sale direct-to-consumer, it’s either false advertising of the product or the company is violating FDA regulations.

If you’re living with impaired hearing and have yet to visit a hearing specialist for testing and hearing aid recommendations, you can find an audiologist near you through the American Academy of Audiology.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right Hearing Aid

Step 1: Get a Hearing Test

Traditionally, your first step on the path to a hearing aid purchase should always be to see a licensed hearing specialist. However, in-person testing is not always possible, especially right now during COVID-19. Just like many people are turning to telehealth appointments, you can also take a free online hearing test instead of visiting an audiologist in-person.

Online hearing tests can play a valuable role in determining your need for a hearing aid, but you won’t get as precise information as you would from a hearing test with an audiologist. If you do undergo a hearing test using an audiogram, the audiologist can provide highly detailed reports of what types of sounds, pitches, ranges, etc. that you most struggle with. This information will make finding the best hearing aid for you a more exact process and can give you a more specific price range.

Audiologists can also make recommendations for hearing aid brands, models, and fit styles. Keep in mind that audiology practices may have a few brands that they sell or endorse in particular, but once you have the opportunity, don’t be afraid to ask about the brands or devices that interest you personally.

Step 2: Think Beyond Hearing Aid Cost

After your audiologist provides a deeper look into your hearing loss profile, it may be tempting to keep things simple by shopping based only on cost and your audiogram results. However, you will also need to consider the kinds of activities wherein you’ll be relying on your hearing aids. Think about what types of sound environments you frequent most often.

The cost of hearing aids varies based in part on how well they can filter out peripheral noise. If you don’t often find yourself in noisy restaurants or music venues, you may wish to purchase a low-cost model that is best suited to calm, quiet environments, such as peaceful one-on-one conversations or TV watching at home. While you’re at it, also consider whether you would benefit from Bluetooth connectivity that could stream sound directly from a television or radio to your hearing aids. Another thing to look out for is a free trial period, which can be especially useful when buying hearing aids online.

Step 3: Determine What Accessories You May Need

Most companies sell accessories like remotes and streamers that can make programming and using your aids more convenient. However, buying accessories for various purposes can easily make your hearing aid far more expensive. For that reason, it’s best to start the shopping process by considering your specific accessory needs. The following are some of the most common accessories offered by hearing aid brands.

Streaming Accessories

Many of the devices covered here feature Made for iPhone functionality, so Apple device users often spend less on accessories as these devices stream directly to Apple devices. However, if your phone runs on OS (Android) and you’d like the freedom to connect to other devices, such as your TV or car stereo, most brands will most likely require you to purchase a separately sold accessory. Bluetooth streamers can connect a hearing aid either wirelessly or with the use of a wired adapter to a broad range of external devices, and users will no longer need to excessively crank the volume of their TV or radio. Bluetooth streamers and adapters can cost hundreds, but they can make the balance of sound in your listening environment more level and clear.

Remote Controls

It’s common for brands to offer physical remotes in a variety of styles, so if you’re not confident using a cell phone app for sound programming and other functions, or if you just want a backup remote, a physical remote control is a smart purchase. Not all hearing aids come with physical buttons to change the volume or the sound program which adapts your aids to different sound environments, so with some models, physical remotes are even more important.

Microphones

For conversations in noisy areas or where the speaker and listener are at a distance from one another, an external microphone can be extremely handy. These come in multiple configurations, including as a mic that clips onto the speaker’s shirt, a table-top model or a small device that can be easily held and passed around during multi-party conversations. Mics are ideal in classroom environments too as some can accommodate group conversations at distances of up to about 60 feet.

Step 4: Try a Variety of Styles

Your audiologist can help you find the most comfortable and appropriate fit style for you, whether you’re more comfortable with a device that sits mostly behind your ear or a more discreet option that sits fully within your ear canal. The look of a hearing aid is important to most people, but the feel of the device is also highly important as hearing aids are meant to be worn long-term.

The most commonly found hearing aid fit styles are BTE (behind-the-ear), RIC (receiver-in-canal), and CIC (completely-in-canal). Some of the brands listed above also offer a custom-molded earpiece for which audiologists must fit the individual customer. If you find that most of the fit styles you try seem uncomfortable, consider a custom fitting.

Step 5: Anticipate Additional Costs

When you buy hearing aids, there are often additional costs beyond the initial purchase. And, anticipating the total cost involved in purchasing hearing aids can be tricky. Costs are dependent on needed accessories, warranty coverage, added fees, and brand-specific incidentals. When you’ve narrowed your search down to a few select brands, research the provider’s website or ask an audiologist about the following cost-related concerns.

• Is there a money-back guarantee during a risk-free trial period?
• Does the warranty cover lost, stolen or damaged devices?
• How much do replacement batteries or earpieces cost?
• Are fittings and/or servicing for adjustments included in the purchase price?
• How much do accessories for Bluetooth streaming cost?

Frequently Asked Questions