A good pair of hearing aids can cost as much as a used car, often $2,000 to $8,000, and most people need two devices, not one. So, the first question almost everyone asks is simple: will Medicare help pay for them?
The short answer is that Original Medicare will not, but that is not the whole story. Depending on the type of Medicare coverage you choose hearing aids may be partly covered, and there are several other ways to bring the cost down. Here is how it works in 2026.
Does Original Medicare cover hearing aids?
No. Original Medicare, which is Part A and Part B, does not cover hearing aids or the routine exams used to fit them. This exclusion has been part of Medicare since the program began in 1965, and it applies in every state, including North Carolina. If you rely on Original Medicare alone, you pay the full cost of hearing aids yourself.
A Medicare Supplement policy, also called Medigap, does not add hearing aid coverage either. Medigap only helps with costs that Original Medicare approves first, so it follows the same exclusion. If you are new to the program, our quick guide to how Medicare works explains the parts and how they fit together.
Hearing loss is common in this age group. About 1 in 3 adults aged 65 to 74 have some hearing loss, and that share rises to nearly half of adults over 75, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
What hearing services does Medicare cover?
Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams when your doctor orders them to find out whether you need medical treatment, for example after dizziness, balance problems, or a sudden change in hearing. After you meet the annual Part B deductible, you pay 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount. These exams are different from the routine test used to fit hearing aids, which is not covered.
What Part B does and does not cover for hearing breaks down this way:
- Covered: diagnostic hearing and balance exams ordered by a doctor to check for a medical problem.
- Covered: one audiologist visit every 12 months without a doctor’s order, but only for non-acute hearing conditions.
- Covered: cochlear implants and bone-anchored devices, which Medicare treats as prosthetics rather than hearing aids, when medically necessary.
- Not covered: routine exams to fit hearing aids, the hearing aids themselves, batteries, and routine maintenance.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids?
Many do. Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is offered by private insurers and often bundles extra benefits that Original Medicare leaves out, including hearing. A plan may cover routine hearing exams, fittings, and an allowance toward hearing aids every year or every few years. What is covered, and how much, varies widely by plan and by county.
Coverage usually runs through the plan’s hearing benefit network, and you may have a copay per device or a fixed allowance, for example a set dollar amount toward a pair every two or three years. Because the benefit changes from plan to plan, the only way to know what you would pay is to compare the specific plans available where you live. See how Medicare Advantage compares with Original Medicare in North Carolina before you decide.
What about over-the-counter hearing aids?
Since 2022, the FDA has allowed over the counter, or OTC, hearing aids for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. You can buy them without a prescription, exam, or professional fitting, and they cost far less than prescription devices, often a few hundred dollars up to about $1,500 per pair. Original Medicare does not cover OTC hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans let you use a benefit allowance toward them.
OTC devices are not right for everyone. If you have severe hearing loss, sudden hearing changes, or hearing loss in only one ear, see a professional first, since those can signal a medical condition that needs evaluation.
How can North Carolina residents get help paying for hearing aids?
Your best option depends on your situation. If hearing coverage matters to you, a Medicare Advantage plan with a hearing benefit is often the most direct route, and you can compare or switch plans during the fall enrollment window. Other avenues include Medicaid for those who qualify, veterans benefits through the VA, and manufacturer or nonprofit assistance programs.
The main paths to lower hearing aid costs are:
- A Medicare Advantage plan that includes hearing benefits.
- North Carolina Medicaid, for those who qualify, with benefits set at the state level.
- VA health care, through which eligible veterans may receive hearing aids at little or no cost.
- OTC hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- Manufacturer financing and nonprofit assistance programs.
If you want to understand how the pieces of coverage relate, our overview of the parts of Original Medicare is a good starting point.
Expert insight
“A lot of my clients assume Medicare will help with hearing aids, and they are surprised to learn that Original Medicare does not cover them at all. What I tell them is not to give up on coverage, because many Medicare Advantage plans in North Carolina include a hearing benefit, and the allowance can vary quite a bit from one county to the next. That is usually the first thing we compare together.” – Daniel Turner, Office Manager & Agent, Mair Agency
Talk with a local agent
Hearing coverage is one of the clearest reasons people in North Carolina look at Medicare Advantage, but plans differ a lot from one county to the next. A licensed Mair Agency agent can compare the plans available where you live, show you what each one pays toward hearing aids, and help you enroll. Contact us to talk about your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare pay for hearing aids in 2026?
No. Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids or the exams used to fit them. Many Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans include a hearing aid benefit, so coverage depends on the type of plan you have.
Are hearing exams covered by Medicare?
Diagnostic hearing and balance exams ordered by your doctor to check for a medical problem are covered under Part B, with 20 percent coinsurance after the deductible. Routine exams to fit hearing aids are not covered.
How much do hearing aids cost without insurance?
Prescription hearing aids commonly run from about $2,000 to $8,000 per pair. Over-the-counter hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing losses cost far less, often a few hundred dollars up to about $1,500 per pair.
Which Medicare Advantage plans cover hearing aids in North Carolina?
Hearing benefits vary by plan and county. Some plans pay a set allowance toward a pair every year or two, others use copays per device. A licensed agent can compare the specific plans available in your area.
Does Medigap cover hearing aids?
No. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy helps with costs that Original Medicare approves first, so it does not add hearing aid coverage.
Can veterans get hearing aids through the VA?
Veterans enrolled in VA health care may receive hearing aids at little or no cost if they meet eligibility rules. This is separate from Medicare.