Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids? 2026 Answer
Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids. Medicare.gov puts it in one line: “Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids.” Whatever the pair costs, from $98 for the cheapest OTC pair on this site to $4,898 at the top of a fitted range, the buyer pays all of it under Original Medicare.
What Part B does cover
“Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance (fall risk) exams if your doctor or other health care provider orders them.” After the Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, plus a hospital copayment if the exam is in a hospital outpatient department. You can also see an audiologist once every 12 months without an order for non-acute hearing conditions such as hearing loss that develops over years.
Worked examples with the 2026 figures (the approved amounts are illustrations, not Medicare rates):
| Approved amount for the exam | Deductible still to meet | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| $200 | $283 | $200 |
| $200 | $0 | $40 |
| $383 | $283 | $303 |
The 2026 standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month on top.
Medicare Advantage
“Some Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover.” Hearing is one of those extras. Medicare.gov does not list amounts, because each plan sets its own allowance, network and frequency; its advice is to contact the plan. A plan allowance applies only to the channels the plan accepts, so check whether it pays at a warehouse club, an online seller or only in network.
Paying with pre-tax money
IRS Publication 502 (2025) says: “You can include in medical expenses the cost of a hearing aid and batteries, repairs, and maintenance needed to operate it.” Medical expenses are deductible only above 7.5% of adjusted gross income. On a $50,000 AGI that floor is $3,750, so a $4,898 pair alone would leave $1,148 above the floor. FSA and HSA cards are accepted by several sellers on this site, including Costco and Jabra Enhance.
What the buyer pays, by channel
The channel pages show what each price includes, and the OTC price list shows the lowest-cost route the FDA allows for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.
Sources
- Medicare.gov: Hearing aids, checked October 20, 2026
- Medicare.gov: Hearing and balance exams
- Medicare.gov: Medicare costs
- IRS Publication 502
This page explains coverage rules; it is not advice about any person's plan or health.
Questions
Does Original Medicare pay for hearing aids?
No. Medicare.gov states that Medicare doesn't cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids, and that you pay all costs for those non-covered services.
Does Medicare cover a hearing test?
Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams when a doctor or other provider orders them. You pay a share of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible; this page shows the current figures.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids?
Some do. Medicare.gov says some Medicare Advantage Plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover, and to contact the plan for details.