Does Medicare pay for hearing aids?

Medicare covers a portion of the cost of hearing and balance diagnostic exams, if ordered by a doctor, but as of 2015, Medicare does not cover hearing aids, according to Medicare. In addition, Medicare does not cover the costs of routine hearing exams or fitting a hearing aid.

As of 2015, two pieces of legislation were pending before Congress whose passage would authorize the use of Medicare funds to pay for hearing aids, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America. One of those bills, the Help Extend Auditory Relief Act, was first introduced in 2013, and its reintroduction enjoys support from multiple members of Congress.