Hearing aids often cost more than $2,000 a piece, and they are generally not covered by health insurance companies. However, some nonprofit organizations provide financial assistance for hearing aids, while others may help provide used or refurbished aids. 

Financial assistance for hearing aids

The President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NAS) cited FDA regulations regarding conditions for sale as a potential barrier to availability and accessibility of hearing aids, and concluded that the regulation was providing little to no meaningful benefit to patients.

Pepperdine University

-  Only about one out of five people who would benefit from a hearing aid actually uses one.

-  Hearing aids typically cost thousands of dollars, require multiple visits to specialists and often aren't covered by health insurance. 

-  Untreated hearing loss is associated with cognitive decline, dementia and other harms. 

Current issues with hearing aids

*  The main factor influencing hearing aid price is the device’s technology. Over time, consumer electronics and technology have become more advanced, with product prices coming down.


*  However, the cost of hearing aids has seemingly stayed level, which could be due to technological advances and the inclusion of extra features over just a few years.


*  A study suggests that the consistently high cost of hearing aids, combined with the lack of help with costs, contributes to fewer people purchasing them.

What influences hearing aid price?

Eisenman, T. (2016, December 7). FDA takes steps to improve hearing aid accessibility. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-takes-steps-improve-hearing-aid-accessibility 

FDA takes steps to improve hearing aid accessibility

Economic barriers to availability and accessibility of hearing aids

While research has shown that age-related hearing loss is the single greatest modifiable risk factor for dementia, use of hearing aids remains low worldwide, even in many middle- and high-income countries. 

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