Hearing loss affects 30 million people ages 12 and over in the U.S., according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Additionally, about 37.5 million people ages 18 and over report having trouble hearing, and over 1.5 billion people globally experience hearing loss, a number that’s expected to nearly double by 2050, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).When left unaddressed, hearing loss can be tied to physical decline, social isolation, loneliness, depression and dementia, among other issues.
Of those who might benefit from using hearing aids, only one in five actually use them, with cost being a major barrier for those who don’t. If you’re in need of hearing aids but are deterred by their cost, read on to learn how to get hearing aids for free.
What Are Hearing Aids?
Hearing aids are small electronic devices with a microphone, amplifier and speaker that amplify sound to assist someone with mild to profound hearing loss.
“Hearing aids are designed to amplify sounds that would otherwise go undetected due to damage of varying degrees in the auditory pathway,” says Jillian Price, Au.D., chief audiologist for HearingLife Canada, a hearing aid provider based in Canada.
These devices can help improve a person’s ability to understand and participate in conversations, as well as live an active and meaningful life.
Anyone with hearing loss, including individuals with auditory processing disorders who need assistance distinguishing sounds of primary speech from background noise, can benefit from owning and using hearing aids, says Ruth Reisman, AuD., an audiologist and hearing aid dispenser based in New York.
How to Get Free Hearing Aids
While hearing aids can range in cost, depending on the type of device a person needs and how they choose to purchase their hearing aids, there are ways to get hearing aids at a low cost or free of charge, says Dr. Reisman. Consider the following tips for finding hearing aids for free.
Health Insurance Providers“Some private insurance [providers] and Medicaid cover the cost of hearing aids in full,” says Dr. Reisman.
Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible low-income adults, older adults, children, pregnant people and people with disabilities. The government-funded program is administered on a state-by-state basis and follows federal requirements. Whether Medicaid covers hearing aids depends on a state’s Medicaid coverage policies.
Private insurance providers, such as United Healthcare, Cigna and Humana may also offer coverage for hearing aids. Medicare Advantage (Part C), which can also be purchased through private insurance companies, may also cover the cost of hearing aids and elements of hearing health. Speak with your insurance provider to learn more about your policy’s coverage regarding hearing aids.
Audiologists
While audiologists can’t necessarily help decrease the price of hearing aids, they can help people ensure they’re finding the right type of hearing aids for their needs, and help them locate services, such as donation programs, for people with financial limitations. Audiologists can assist an individual in locating programs at hospitals in their area and help determine if they’re eligible, says Jen Thomson, Au.D., an audiologist at Columbus Speech and Hearing in Ohio. For example, the University of Michigan Health System’s (UMHS) Hope for Hearing program recycles and refurbishes hearing aids to donate to people without health insurance and those who can’t afford advanced care.
Service Organizations
A variety of service organizations help income-qualified people with hearing loss find hearing aids for little to no cost. Some local speech and hearing centers offer hearing aids at a lower cost for people who’ve utilized the center’s services previously. These may include:
•Community centers for people who are deaf
•Organizations that advocate for older adults
•Organizations for people who are deaf or experience hearing loss
•Religious organizations
•Hearing aid banks
Individuals can locate centers with these services in their area via resources like Hearing Loss Association of America and the Hearing Industries Association.
The National Office of the Civic Organization can also help individuals identify services and charitable organizations on a national scale and help people locate their local chapters of these organizations. Several types of organizations are available, depending on a person’s needs and eligibility.
Donation programs. Some hospitals offer hearing aid donation programs, according to Dr. Reisman. These programs help repurpose and distribute hearing aids to individuals who can’t otherwise afford the devices. An audiologist, hearing specialist or primary care provider can help locate these programs in a person’s area and provide information about qualifications for eligibility.
Charitable organizations. Individuals who are ineligible for free hearing aids from donation-based programs maybe able to apply to charitable organizations, such as the Hearing Charities of America’s Hearing Aid Project. This program partners with hearing health providers nationwide to refurbish and distribute healing aids to qualifying individuals. The company website also offers access to local, state, national and international resources for hearing aid assistance.
Additional national organizations that offer services for finding hearing aids at a reduced cost or free of charge include:
• Help America Hear
•Miracle Ear Foundation
•National Hearing Aid Project
•Veterans Administration (VA)
•Lions Clubs International
•Hear Now
A broader list of organizations is available on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s website.
Who Can Get Free Hearing Aids?
Whether a person qualifies for free hearing aids depends on their area’s hearing aid assistance programs, says Dr. Thomson.
However, some programs may require an individual to prove they have some degree of diagnosed hearing loss, income below a particular threshold and an inability to afford hearing aids on their own to participate.
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
Medicare Part A and Part B don’t cover hearing aids or fittings for hearing aids, according to Medicare.gov. However, some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may cover the cost of hearing aids. These plans must be purchased in addition to enrollment in Original Medicare to access such hearing health benefits. Speak with your insurance provider to learn if a Medicare Advantage plan is available to you, or to learn about your policy’s coverage if you’re already enrolled.