Short answer: check coverage before you borrow. Original Medicare does not pay for hearing aids, but some Medicare Advantage plans offer hearing benefits, and the VA provides hearing aids at no charge to veterans who qualify for VA care. Adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss can also buy over-the-counter hearing aids. Hearing aids count as a medical expense for an HSA or FSA. If you still need to finance, compare the total cost of each option.
Over-the-counter hearing aids
The FDA created a category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids that took effect on October 17, 2022 (FDA). Under the federal rule, an OTC hearing aid is meant for people 18 or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment, and it can be sold in stores, by mail or online without a prescription or a licensed person's involvement (21 CFR 800.30).
The rule requires the outside package to show, among other things, a warning against use by people under 18, the symptoms that suggest mild to moderate hearing loss, "red flag" conditions, advice that professional services are available, and the maker's return policy (21 CFR 800.30). Read the return policy before you buy. The OTC category is defined for perceived mild to moderate hearing loss; any other hearing aid is a prescription hearing aid (21 CFR 800.30).
What Medicare covers
Medicare.gov says Medicare does not cover hearing aids or exams for fitting hearing aids, and you pay all costs. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) offer extra benefits such as hearing; contact the plan for details (Medicare.gov).
- Does my plan cover hearing aids, and how much does it pay toward them?
- Do I have to use certain providers or buy certain models?
- Is there a limit on how often the plan pays for new hearing aids?
Hearing aids through the VA
If you are a veteran, you first register for VA health care, then have your hearing evaluated by a VA audiologist, who decides whether you need hearing aids. If hearing aids are recommended and fit, the VA says the hearing aids, repairs and future batteries are at no charge to you as long as you stay eligible for VA care (VA).
Using an HSA or FSA
IRS Publication 502 says you can include in medical expenses the cost of a hearing aid and the batteries, repairs and maintenance needed to run it (IRS Pub. 502). Qualified medical expenses for an HSA or health FSA are generally those that would qualify for the medical expense deduction (IRS Pub. 969). This is not tax advice.
Seller financing and deferred interest
Some medical credit cards and financing plans offer deferred interest. If any balance is left when the promotion ends, you are charged all the interest that built up since the purchase (CFPB). Before you sign, ask whether a promotion is "no interest" or "deferred interest", and what the rate is after it ends. The medical bill payment plan guide covers this in more depth.
Example: financing $3,000
This example is only for the math, not an average price for hearing aids. It finances $3,000 over 24 months at the Federal Reserve's August 2026 averages: 11.90% APR for 24-month personal loans and 22.36% for credit card plans (G.19). Your rate may differ.
| Option | Monthly payment | Interest | Total paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal loan at 11.90% | $141.08 | $385.92 | $3,385.92 |
| Credit card at 22.36% | $156.17 | $748.08 | $3,748.08 |
$141.08 x 24 = $3,385.92, and $156.17 x 24 = $3,748.08. A loan origination fee would add to the loan cost; the origination fee calculator shows how.
Questions to ask before you buy
- Is this an OTC or a prescription hearing aid, and is it right for my level of hearing loss?
- What is the return policy, and is any fee kept if I return them?
- Does the price include fitting, follow-up visits, repairs and batteries?
- Will my insurance, Medicare Advantage plan or the VA pay any part?
This guide gives general information. It is not medical or tax advice.
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Sources
- FDA: OTC Hearing Aids: What You Should Know
- 21 CFR 800.30: over-the-counter hearing aid controls
- Medicare.gov: Hearing aids coverage
- VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service: Hearing Aids
- IRS Publication 502: Medical and Dental Expenses
- IRS Publication 969: Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans
- CFPB: Medical Credit Cards and Financing Plans (May 2023)
- Federal Reserve: G.19 Consumer Credit (released October 7, 2026), terms of credit, August 2026: credit card plans and 24-month personal loans
Disclosure: Modern Lending Solutions is not a lender, loan broker or agent for any lender or loan broker, and does not make credit decisions. Any compensation we receive is paid by participating lenders, only for advertising services. This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice.