What hearing aids cost when you pay without insurance

How much do hearing aids cost without insurance?

A hearing aid is a small device worn in or behind the ear that makes sounds louder and clearer. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, or NIDCD, is part of the National Institutes of Health. It says hearing aids range from hundreds to several thousand dollars. That is a wide range, and we could not find a trusted national average from a government agency or a research group. Websites that give one exact price often do not say where it comes from.

The price depends on the type of aid, the features, and whether you buy it through a hearing professional or off the shelf. Sellers also differ in what they include, such as follow-up visits and adjustments. Ask each seller what the price covers and what costs extra. Two aids with the same price tag can come with very different services.

This page is general information and not medical advice. If you lose hearing suddenly, see a doctor right away. The NIDCD calls sudden hearing loss a medical emergency, because waiting can make treatment work less well. If you have an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.

Over-the-counter hearing aids

The Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, set up a category of over-the-counter hearing aids that took effect on October 17, 2022. Over-the-counter means you can buy them directly from a store or a website. The FDA says you do not need a medical exam, a prescription or a fitting by a hearing professional.

These aids are only meant for adults 18 and older who have what the FDA calls perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Perceived means the loss that you notice yourself. They are not meant for severe or very deep hearing loss. The FDA also says that anyone under 18 needs a prescription and should see a doctor.

Because they skip the exam and the fitting, over-the-counter aids can cost less than aids sold through a clinic. We do not give a price for them, since we could not find a trusted national source. We also cannot tell you whether this type fits your hearing. A hearing test with an audiologist, who is a hearing specialist, can help you decide. You can ask what that test costs before you book it.

Trial periods and what to ask before you buy

The NIDCD says that most makers allow a 30- to 60-day trial period. During that time you can return the aids for a refund. It also says to ask which fees are not refundable if you return them. Get the return rules in writing before you pay.

These questions are a good place to start when you talk to a seller.

• Ask for the full price, including the exam, the fitting and any follow-up visits.
• Ask how long the trial period lasts and which fees you would not get back.
• Ask whether the price covers one aid or a pair.
• Ask what the warranty covers and what repairs cost afterward.
• Ask whether batteries and other supplies come with the aids or cost extra.

Our guide on asking for the cash price has wording you can use on the phone. The same questions work for a clinic or a store.

Why the price changes so much

Hearing aids come in several styles, and some sit behind the ear while others fit inside the ear canal. The style, size and features all change the price. A basic aid simply makes sounds louder, while a more advanced aid may adjust to noisy rooms or connect to a phone. Ask what each feature does and whether you would use it, since you pay for every feature.

Where you buy matters too. An aid sold through a hearing professional may include tests, fitting and follow-up visits in one price. An aid sold off the shelf may cost less and may give you less help. We cannot tell you which is right for you. That depends on your hearing, and a hearing professional or a doctor can talk it over with you.

Asking about the price of a pair can also save you a surprise. Many people with hearing loss need an aid for each ear, and some sellers list the price for one aid only. A price that looks low may double once you count both ears. Ask the seller to write down the total for everything you need.

Does insurance or Medicare help?

Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids for adults, according to the NIDCD. A hearing test that a doctor orders may be covered. The NIDCD also says Medicaid pays for the diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss, including hearing aids, for eligible people age 21 and younger.

The NIDCD adds that children may be covered by their state's early intervention program or the Children's Health Insurance Program. Rules differ from state to state, so call your state Medicaid office to ask what applies to a child in your family.

Some nonprofit groups give money toward hearing aids, and others may give used or refurbished aids. The NIDCD information center can point you to them. If you buy from a clinic, our guide on medical bill help explains how to ask about payment plans.

Getting a hearing check on a budget

Before you buy any aid, it helps to know why your hearing changed. Some causes, such as ear wax, can be treated without a device. A doctor can look in your ears and tell you whether you need a hearing test. A direct primary care doctor can do that for a flat membership fee, which is usually $50 to $200 a month. A membership is not insurance, so a hearing test or an aid is a separate cost. You can search for a cash-pay doctor near you.

A community health center is another place to start. These clinics charge by income, and our guide on community health centers explains how to find one. Ask whether the center can check your ears and where it sends patients for a hearing test.