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Over 28 million adults in the United States could benefit from hearing aids, yet only 16% of those people with hearing loss actually use them.1 Hearing aids may even help you live longer. According to a recent study, people with hearing loss who wore hearing aids had a lower risk of mortality than those with hearing loss who did not wear hearing aids.2
In this article, we’ll explore who makes a good candidate for hearing aids, the benefits they offer and what they typically cost, giving you a better understanding of how hearing aids can enhance your quality of life if you need them.
What Is a Hearing Aid?
Hearing aids are electronic devices that use a microphone, speaker and amplifier to increase the sound and clarity of sound waves, making it easier to hear in both quiet and noisy environments.3
Benefits
In addition to helping prolong your life, hearing aids are imperative to sustaining your quality of life if you have mild to severe hearing loss.2
The health benefits of wearing hearing aids are vast and include:2
- Ability to communicate more freely with friends and family
- Being better able to talk on the telephone
- Delaying dementia4
- Improving communication in loud environments like restaurants and large gatherings
- Lowering the chance of falling
- Reducing loneliness
- Reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke
Different Styles of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids come in a variety of different styles, and they all offer a unique level of comfort and amplification.3
Some different types of hearing aids include:
- Analog hearing aids
- Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids
- Completely-in-canal (CIC) or mini CIC hearing aids
- Digital hearing aids
- In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids
- In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids
- Open-fit (mini BTE) hearing aids
- Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids
- Surgically implanted hearing aids
How Much Do Hearing Aids Cost?
Hearing aids can be expensive, but the benefits usually outweigh the costs.3
You have two options when purchasing hearing aids: either buying them over the counter (OTC) without a prescription or working with an audiologist or hearing specialist to find the right style and fit.3
If you are 18 years or older and have mild to moderate hearing loss, you can now purchase OTC hearing aids from places like Costco and your local pharmacy without a hearing test.5
While OTC hearing aids are typically cheaper than prescription hearing aids, they have limitations, such as being one-size-fits-all (no custom fitting), having limited technology and not including follow-up support.5
The national average cost* of digital hearing aids is around $2,114 per pair, but can range between $1,650 and $4,155 depending on where you live.6
The type of hearing aid you purchase will factor into how much you spend. The breakdown of average cost* by hearing aid type is in the table below.6
Average cost for hearing aids by type
| Hearing aid type | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Behind-the-ear (BTE), per device | $1,562 |
| Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) or mini hearing aid, per device | $1,917 |
| In-the-canal (ITC), per device | $1,818 |
| In-the-ear (ITE), per device | $1,411 |
| Open-fit (mini BTE), per device | $1,513 |
| Receiver-in-the-ear (RITE), per device | $1,966 |
Additional hearing aid costs
When purchasing hearing aids, there might be additional costs that come up as needed. These might include:6
| Additional items | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Custom ear mold (for BTE hearing aids) | $151 |
| Hearing aid adjustment to fine-tune settings | $76 |
| Protective earplugs (pack of 10) | $5 |
| Protective earplugs (pack of 500) | $76 |
Calculate the cost of a digital hearing aid near you*
Explore procedure costs in your area
Whether you opt to purchase hearing aids over the counter or get them prescribed through an audiologist, below is the breakdown of the average cost* of digital hearing aids (per pair) for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.6
Average cost of digital hearing aids by state
| State/District | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $1,802 |
| Alaska | $2,558 |
| Arizona | $2,159 |
| Arkansas | $1,836 |
| California | $2,690 |
| Colorado | $2,123 |
| Connecticut | $2,186 |
| Delaware | $2,107 |
| District of Columbia | $2,630 |
| Florida | $2,112 |
| Georgia | $1,924 |
| Hawaii | $3,221 |
| Idaho | $2,164 |
| Illinois | $2,148 |
| Indiana | $1,888 |
| Iowa | $1,811 |
| Kansas | $1,863 |
| Kentucky | $1,940 |
| Louisiana | $1,967 |
| Maine | $2,116 |
| Maryland | $2,399 |
| Massachusetts | $2,508 |
| Michigan | $1,960 |
| Minnesota | $1,953 |
| Mississippi | $1,754 |
| Missouri | $1,867 |
| Montana | $2,057 |
| Nebraska | $1,901 |
| Nevada | $2,105 |
| New Hampshire | $2,250 |
| New Jersey | $2,279 |
| New Mexico | $1,874 |
| New York | $2,318 |
| North Carolina | $1,928 |
| North Dakota | $1,935 |
| Ohio | $1,944 |
| Oklahoma | $1,840 |
| Oregon | $2,234 |
| Pennsylvania | $2,071 |
| Rhode Island | $2,177 |
| South Carolina | $1,978 |
| South Dakota | $1,917 |
| Tennessee | $1,840 |
| Texas | $1,985 |
| Utah | $2,125 |
| Vermont | $2,245 |
| Virginia | $2,069 |
| Washington | $2,331 |
| West Virginia | $1,872 |
| Wisconsin | $1,974 |
| Wyoming | $1,985 |
Will Insurance Cover the Cost of Hearing Aids?
Insurance coverage for hearing aids varies by state. Traditional Medicare doesn’t offer much assistance for adults; Medicaid does cover hearing aids for children.7 Supplemental or private insurance may cover the cost of hearing aids, depending on your specific healthcare plan.7
Who Might Need a Hearing Aid?
People who have mild to severe hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. In the U.S., 15% of adults aged 18 and older have some sort of trouble with hearing, while 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the U.S. are born with hearing loss in one or both ears.1
Age is the biggest predictor of hearing loss in adults.2 Other common causes of hearing loss include:8
- Acoustic neuroma (a tumor in the inner ear)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Certain medications like antibiotics, chemotherapy, diuretics and large amounts of aspirin
- Exposure to very loud noises, such as gun shots, explosions, gunfire or loud concerts
- Ménière’s disease (an inner ear problem)
- Otosclerosis or middle ear disease
- Physical head injury
How Are Hearing Aids Fitted?
Before you can wear hearing aids, they need to be fitted to make sure they work properly and are comfortable.
The steps of getting fitted for BTE hearing aids include:9
- Impressions of the ear canal are taken with cotton foam to create a customized earmold.
- Earmolds are ordered and come in a variety of different colors to choose from.
- The audiologist makes sure the mold fits and programs the hearing aids specifically to your (or your child’s) needs.
- The audiologist will run some tests to make sure the hearing aids are working properly.
- The audiologist will teach you how to clean and care for the hearing aids.
- Intermittent follow-up appointments will be scheduled to check the function and fit of the hearing aids.
Taking the Next Step
The bottom line is that hearing aids can significantly improve your quality of life if you have mild to severe hearing loss.
Hearing aids come in different styles and can be purchased over the counter or with a doctor’s prescription. While OTC hearing aids can be less expensive, they do have sizing and technological limitations.
If you or a loved one is having symptoms of hearing loss, seek out a hearing test by an ear, nose and throat doctor or audiologist to see if you may benefit from hearing aids.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hearing Aids
Do you still have questions about hearing aids? Here are some commonly asked questions and answers about them.
Financing Ear Care With the CareCredit Credit Card
The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for hearing care, including regular hearing tests, screenings and more.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a hearing specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue to invest in your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.
In addition to hearing care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, vision, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?
Author Bio
Amy Isler, M.S.N., R.N., has more than a decade of nursing expertise. She combines her nursing experience and journalism background to create engaging and educational healthcare content for leading brands and publications, including GoodRx, Verywell Health, Vision Center and more. Her mission in writing is to provide positive, accurate and informative articles for consumers.
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