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Free Hearing Aids: Income Limits, Fees and Where to Apply

You can get free or low-cost hearing aids from national charities, Lions clubs, state programs and the VA, but most set an income limit and many still charge a fee. Help America Hear takes households earning $36,000 or less a year before taxes. Gift of Sound asks adults for a $200 application fee.

Cost and coverage research team

Figure 1

Hearing aid assistance programs and their conditions

Each program sets its own conditions. We do not tell you whether you qualify.

Hearing aid assistance programs and their conditions
Miracle-Ear Foundation Gift of Sound U.S. or Puerto Rico Children and adults; other resources and financing must be exhausted hearing aids and lifetime aftercare At or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, $31,920 of gross income for a household of one on the 2026 chart; other conditions apply $200 for applicants 19 and older, with no waiver; $0 for children Other resources must be exhausted and store financing denied Contact local Miracle-Ear store before starting
Help America Hear Nationwide Income and other funding conditions apply brand-new prescription hearing aids Household income at or below $36,000 per year before tax Fee required; amount not stated on the read FAQ; partial refund possible if denied Some accessories and additional hearing tests may remain at applicant expense; Applicant is responsible for the hearing test cost Application or referral route on the program own page
Massachusetts Hearing Aid Program Massachusetts Birth through age twenty-one; family income conditions apply Program pays for hearing aids for children under its conditions Family income requirements; numeric threshold not established here Application fee not stated in the read page Other charges not established in the read page Financial eligibility notice is not purchase authorization; provider reports and dispenser quote required
VA hearing aid benefit Service area to confirm with program VA enrollment and audiologist assessment recommended hearing aids, repairs and batteries at no charge under stated VA-care condition Numeric income limit not stated in the read page Application fee not stated in the read page Other charges not established in the read page Enroll using VA Form 10-10EZ and follow VA audiology assessment
TPA Hearing Trust Geographic restriction not established on the read page People with deafness or hearing loss; trustee selection financial grants for hearing devices and other listed supports Greatest financial need receives special consideration Application fee not stated in the read page Trustees choose grant amount; review-timing wording conflicts on page A new application is required each time; aid at most once a year
Starkey Cares Hear Now Service area to confirm with program Household income below the program current limit; provider referral hearing aids and care for financial need Below current limit; numeric limit not supplied in brochure $300 application fee after qualification Other charges not established in the read page Provider referral followed by online or phone application
Hearing the Call Colorado Colorado Colorado children and adults; documented financial and service conditions donated technology, sometimes refurbished and sometimes new Published guideline limit: 250% of the federal poverty guideline; other conditions apply Sliding scale by household size and income; flat amount not stated Future clinic capacity needs confirmation; donated device may be new or refurbished; community-service and asset conditions apply Application or referral route on the program own page
Hearing the Call Greater Philadelphia Greater Philadelphia project; Pennsylvania residence condition and local catchment to confirm Pennsylvania residents meeting the local project conditions refurbished used hearing device Household income proof required; undated table not used as a current threshold Application fee not stated in the read page $150 per refurbished device Application or referral route on the program own page
Sertoma Florida Hearing Aid Assistance Clinic Florida Floridians of all ages regardless of income hearing aid assistance clinic services Regardless of income Application fee not stated in the read page Other charges not established in the read page Current clinic application on own page
Sertoma Florida Children Hearing Aid Program Florida Children; special healthcare needs extension has an ambiguous age boundary free hearing aids and related services for approved children Published guideline limit: 400% of the federal poverty guideline; other conditions apply; Income cap waived for eligible children with special healthcare needs Application fee not stated in the read page Special-healthcare-needs route waives income cap; age-boundary wording needs program confirmation; other public-coverage restrictions apply Current digital application and participating audiologist network
Florida Telecommunications Relay equipment program Florida Florida residency and communication certification; personal admission not decided free telephone and communication equipment Numeric income limit not stated in the read page Application fee not stated in the read page Communication or employment support; hearing aid purchase not established by this page Application requires Florida ID and certification or medical provider contact
Georgia Hearing Aid Loaner Bank Georgia Georgia children from birth to 36 months temporary hearing aid loan with one earmold per aid; No charge for the loaned hearing aids No financial eligibility requirements Application fee not stated in the read page Temporary loan; availability and admission require program review Application or referral route on the program own page
Ohio Hearing Aid Assistance Program Ohio program Birth to 26 wording; insurance and state-program conditions apply assistance buying hearing aids and listed hearing equipment Published guideline limit: 400% of the federal poverty guideline; other conditions apply Application fee not stated in the read page $20 maximum sliding audiology-service fee; Source age wording birth to twenty-six requires boundary confirmation; other-program nonpayment conditions apply Family Application Form and income verification
California Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program California Children and youth under 21; turns-21 birthday-month rule hearing aid coverage and supplemental coverage under program rules Published guideline limit: 600% of the federal poverty guideline; other conditions apply Application fee not stated in the read page Under twenty-one in the main eligibility clause; birthday-month renewal detail and other-coverage restrictions apply Application or referral route on the program own page
New Jersey HAAAD New Jersey Above age 65 or ages 18 to 64 receiving Social Security Disability benefits; boundary wording needs confirmation partial reimbursement for purchased hearing aids $54,943 annual income, single, for 2026; $62,390 annual income, married, for 2026 Application fee not stated in the read page Source age wording requires boundary confirmation; PAAD/Lifeline enrollment or NJSave first; reimbursement is partial NJSave required first unless enrolled PAAD/Lifeline
Hearing Aid Assistance Program of Indiana Indiana At least three years old and not graduated high school hearing aids prescribed, fitted and dispensed by participating audiologists Numeric income limit not stated in the read page Application fee not stated in the read page Other charges not established in the read page Application or referral route on the program own page
Hear Indiana Assistive Technology Loaner Bank Indiana administrator; precise catchment to confirm Children, families and schools; availability after application review loans of hearing technology before purchase, during repair or funding Numeric income limit not stated in the read page Application fee not stated in the read page Temporary loan; availability and admission require program review Application is reviewed; appropriate technology must be available
Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation Oregon or Northern California Oregon or Northern California; inadequate insurance and local financial review local-club hearing aid or examination assistance subject to resources Numeric income limit not stated in the read page Application fee not stated in the read page Other charges not established in the read page Referral form; local club may provide a separate application
Denver Lions Hearing Aid Assistance Denver local club; exact service boundary to confirm Low-income individuals; committee determines income qualification club may pay for hearing aids and/or fitting fees Income qualification decided by club committee Application fee not stated in the read page Other charges not established in the read page Application or referral route on the program own page
Texas Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program Texas program Disability interfering with telephone access; at least five at application vouchers for specialized telephone equipment or services Numeric income limit not stated in the read page Application fee not stated in the read page Communication or employment support; hearing aid purchase not established by this page Use the applicable STAP application and required certifications
Florida VR Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind Services Florida program People seeking, obtaining or keeping work; VR counselor review job communication accommodations, including assistive listening devices Numeric income limit not stated in the read page Application fee not stated in the read page Communication or employment support; hearing aid purchase not established by this page VR counselor assessment through the state VR services route
California Connect California California program conditions and certification apply free specialized communication equipment No age or income requirements Application fee not stated in the read page Communication or employment support; hearing aid purchase not established by this page Certifying agent signs the application certification
Wisconsin Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program Service area to confirm with program People with disabilities needing basic telephone access vouchers for specialized equipment for basic telephone service Numeric income limit not stated in the read page Application fee not stated in the read page $100 TEPP copay; exceptions for hard-of-hearing voucher or TAP approval; Communication or employment support; hearing aid purchase not established by this page Current online or paper voucher application
Wisconsin Telecommunications Assistance Program Wisconsin Wisconsin deaf, hard-of-hearing or DeafBlind residents under TAP conditions equipment funding or TEPP copay assistance Published guideline limit: 200% of the federal poverty guideline; other conditions apply Application fee not stated in the read page Communication or employment support; hearing aid purchase not established by this page Application or referral route on the program own page
Virginia Technology Assistance Program Virginia Virginia residents with listed communication conditions; household income and family size rules telecommunication and assistive devices on loan-to-own terms Household income and family-size requirements Application fee not stated in the read page Communication equipment on loan-to-own terms; veteran documentation route is distinct from hearing aid purchase; Honorable discharge documentation plus hearing or speech loss: program states no-cost TAP equipment Application or referral route on the program own page
Source:

Four kinds of help hide behind the word “free”

Hearing aid assistance comes in four forms, and the form decides what you end up owning.

Hearing aids you keep

Charities and service clubs hand over devices after approval. Help America Hear provides brand-new prescription hearing aids. Miracle-Ear Foundation's Gift of Sound provides hearing aids and lifetime aftercare. Hearing the Call gives donated technology, sometimes refurbished and sometimes new.

Money toward a purchase

Some programs pay part of the bill under their own rules. New Jersey's HAAAD reimburses part of a purchase (see the seniors section). The TPA Hearing Trust awards grants for hearing devices, at most once a year.

Loaners while you wait

A loan bridges a gap; you give the device back. Georgia lends hearing aids once per child for 6 months, at no charge. Hear Indiana's loaner bank lends hearing technology during a repair or while funding is pending.

Phone and job equipment

Several state programs fund amplified phones and other communication equipment instead of hearing aids.

Programs that accept adults

Two state programs here are written for older adults, New Jersey's HAAAD and Oklahoma's senior program (next section); the Massachusetts, Ohio, California and Georgia programs serve children. Adults also lean on national charities, Lions clubs and the VA.

  • Help America Hear (nationwide): household income of $36,000 or less per year before taxes. You pay an application fee and the hearing test, and may pay for batteries, accessories and extra tests.
  • Gift of Sound (U.S. and Puerto Rico): household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines ($31,920 for one person on the 2026 chart), after other resources and financing are used up. Adults pay a $200 application fee, children none. First step: contact a local Miracle-Ear store.
  • Starkey Cares Hear Now: household income below the program's current limit, which its brochure does not print. A participating provider refers you; the $300 fee comes after you qualify.
  • Hearing the Call, Colorado: income up to 250% of the poverty guidelines, cash savings up to $10,000 and accessible retirement funds up to $50,000. Approved applicants pay on a sliding scale and complete 10 hours of community service.
  • Hearing the Call, Greater Philadelphia: $150 per refurbished device with a one-year warranty, 20 hours of community service and proof of household income.
  • Lions clubs: the Denver Lions may pay for hearing aids, fitting fees or both for low-income applicants, and a club committee decides income qualification. The Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation serves Oregon and Northern California through local clubs.
  • Sertoma, Florida: its hearing aid assistance clinic serves Floridians of all ages regardless of income.
  • VA: enrolled veterans receive recommended hearing aids, repairs and batteries at no charge when the VA care conditions are met.

Free hearing aid programs for seniors

Two state programs draw an age line for older adults. Meeting a listed condition is not an approval: each program decides.

  • Oklahoma Senior Citizens Hearing Aid Program (SCHAP): provides one hearing aid to qualifying senior citizens; you may discuss buying a second one with your audiologist. Its four criteria: at least 60 years of age, Oklahoma residence, a limited income and a 35 decibel hearing loss in your better ear. A program audiologist gives the hearing test. Apply by mail, email or fax with proof of household income.
  • New Jersey HAAAD: reimburses up to $500 for one hearing aid or $1,000 for two per calendar year, and a purchase in a later calendar year needs a new application. The page's wording is "above the age of 65", or between ages 18 and 64 with Social Security Disability benefits. Income for 2026 is no greater than $54,943 single or $62,390 married. You apply to NJSave first unless you are already enrolled in PAAD or Lifeline.

Free programs are one route among several at retirement age: hearing aids for seniors adds Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, VA and tax rules.

Programs for children and young adults

Each program for children draws its own age line.

  • Medicaid (EPSDT): for children under age 21 enrolled in Medicaid, hearing services include treatment such as hearing aids.
  • Massachusetts Hearing Aid Program: birth through age 21, with family income requirements.
  • Ohio Hearing Aid Assistance Program: birth to 26 in the program's wording, family income at or below 400% of the federal poverty guidelines; children on or eligible for Medicaid or CMH are not eligible. Depending on income, families may owe a sliding fee of up to $20, which pays for the audiology assessment, not the device.
  • California HACCP: children and youth under 21 with household income up to 600% of the federal poverty level. A child whose other coverage pays $1,500 or less for hearing aids can apply for supplemental coverage.
  • Sertoma Children's Hearing Aid Program, Florida: household income below 400% of the federal poverty rate, a cap waived for eligible children with special healthcare needs. It pays what insurance leaves on the device, or the whole device cost when there is no hearing aid coverage.
  • Hearing Aid Assistance Program of Indiana: children at least three years old who have not graduated high school and have not received its funding in the previous three years.
  • Georgia Hearing Aid Loaner Bank: children from birth to 36 months, a one-time loan of 6 months, no financial eligibility requirement.

Fees that remain after “free”

Read the fee line before you mail anything. These are the charges the programs publish:

  • Gift of Sound: $200 for applicants 19 and older, with no waiver, paid by cashier's check or money order; $0 for children.
  • Starkey Cares Hear Now: $300, paid after you qualify.
  • Ohio OHAAP: up to $20 for the audiology assessment.
  • Wisconsin TEPP (phone equipment): a $100 co-payment, except for hard-of-hearing vouchers and TAP approvals.

When the fee is due matters as much as its size. A fee charged after approval, as with Hear Now, costs nothing if you are turned down. With an application fee like Gift of Sound's, ask whether it comes back if you are turned down before you send it.

Phone and job equipment programs

Phone equipment programs do not buy hearing aids: they pay for equipment that makes calls easier. Job programs tie any help to work.

  • Florida Telecommunications Relay (FTRI): free telephone and communication equipment for Florida residents with a communication certification.
  • California Connect: free specialized communication equipment with no age or income requirements. You need California residence and telephone service.
  • Texas STAP: vouchers for specialized telephone equipment or services for people at least five years old whose disability interferes with telephone access.
  • Wisconsin TEPP and TAP: TEPP vouchers carry a $100 co-payment. TAP can fund equipment or that co-payment, with income limits based on 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
  • Virginia Technology Assistance Program: devices on a loan-to-own basis, with up to 30 days to keep, exchange or return them. Veterans with honorable discharge documentation and hearing or speech loss receive TAP equipment at no cost.
  • Florida Vocational Rehabilitation: job communication accommodations, including assistive listening devices, for people seeking, getting or keeping work, after a counselor review.
  • Wisconsin Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR): can help with hearing aids for work. DVR decides your eligibility first, and the aids must be necessary and appropriate to reach the goal of your employment plan. Help depends on individual circumstances.

Where to start, in order

  1. Veterans first. Enroll with VA Form 10-10EZ and follow the VA audiology assessment; VA hearing aids come with repairs and batteries at no charge once its conditions are met. Details: VA hearing aids.
  2. Check your state. Find your state in the directory and match its age range. New Jersey and Oklahoma have programs for older adults; the Massachusetts, Ohio, California, Georgia and Indiana programs serve children.
  3. Compare national charities on income and fee. Help America Hear draws its line at $36,000 of household income; Gift of Sound uses 200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
  4. Ask a local Lions club. In Denver a club committee decides income qualification and may pay for the hearing aids, the fitting fees or both.
  5. Check your coverage before you pay. Your health plan or Medicaid may also pay: see hearing aid insurance by state and Medicaid hearing aid coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Who qualifies for a free hearing aid?

Each program sets its own test. National charities use income: Help America Hear takes households at $36,000 or less before taxes, and Gift of Sound uses 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. State programs add age limits, such as birth through age 21 in Massachusetts. Veterans enrolled in VA care can receive hearing aids at no charge.

How can you get hearing aids if you can't afford them?

Apply to the programs whose income line you clear, starting with those that charge their fee only after approval, such as Starkey Cares Hear Now ($300 after you qualify). Ask a local Lions club. In New Jersey, HAAAD reimburses up to $500 for one aid or $1,000 for two per calendar year.

Will the government help pay for hearing aids?

Yes, through specific programs. The VA provides hearing aids to enrolled veterans who meet its care conditions. New Jersey reimburses part of a purchase for residents above age 65 or on Social Security Disability. Massachusetts, Ohio and California help pay for children's hearing aids under income rules.

How do you get a free hearing aid?

Pick a program that serves your age and state, check its income chart, then take its first step: a local Miracle-Ear store for Gift of Sound, a participating provider referral for Starkey Cares Hear Now, VA Form 10-10EZ for veterans, or a referral form for the Oregon Lions. Read the fee line first, since several free programs charge one.

How do seniors get free hearing aids?

Start with programs that draw an age line. Oklahoma's SCHAP provides one hearing aid to qualifying Oklahoma residents at least 60 years of age with a limited income and a 35 decibel hearing loss in the better ear. New Jersey's HAAAD reimburses part of a purchase for residents above the age of 65. Veterans can use VA health care.

Does anybody give away free hearing aids?

Yes, under conditions. Help America Hear provides brand-new prescription hearing aids, Gift of Sound provides hearing aids with lifetime aftercare, and Oklahoma's senior program provides one hearing aid to qualifying seniors. Each sets income or other rules, and some charge a fee, such as $200 for adults at Gift of Sound.

What benefits can I get for hearing loss?

It depends on your status. Enrolled veterans can receive VA hearing aids. For children under age 21 on Medicaid, EPSDT hearing services include hearing aids. State programs such as New Jersey's HAAAD and Oklahoma's SCHAP help some older adults. Phone equipment programs fund communication equipment, not hearing aids, and vocational rehabilitation ties help to a job goal.

Sources

Each program row comes from the program's own page or brochure, read in October 2026. A fee marked as not posted means the source states no amount, not that the program is free. A listing does not mean the program has open funding or appointments: contact it before you rely on it.

  1. Miracle-Ear Foundation Gift of Sound
  2. Help America Hear
  3. Help America Hear
  4. Starkey Cares Hear Now
  5. Florida Telecommunications Relay equipment program
  6. Georgia Hearing Aid Loaner Bank
  7. Georgia Hearing Aid Loaner Bank
  8. New Jersey HAAAD
  9. Florida VR Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind Services
  10. VA hearing aid benefit
  11. Sertoma Florida Children Hearing Aid Program
  12. California Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program
  13. Hearing Aid Assistance Program of Indiana
  14. Hearing the Call Colorado
  15. Hearing the Call Greater Philadelphia
  16. Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation
  17. Denver Lions Hearing Aid Assistance
  18. Massachusetts Hearing Aid Program
  19. Ohio Hearing Aid Assistance Program
  20. Texas Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program
  21. California Connect
  22. Wisconsin Telecommunications Equipment Purchase Program
  23. Wisconsin Telecommunications Assistance Program
  24. Virginia Technology Assistance Program
  25. Hear Indiana Assistive Technology Loaner Bank
  26. TPA Hearing Trust
  27. Sertoma Florida Hearing Aid Assistance Clinic
  28. Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
  29. Medicaid.gov, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
  30. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

Cost and coverage research team Methodology

Cost and coverage research, not medical advice. Programs change their rules; confirm with the program before you apply.