The Medicare and Social Security Act defines audiology services as hearing and balance assessments that a qualified audiologist provides.

Medicare covers certain audiology services.

Glossary of Medicare terms

  • Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
  • Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
  • Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
  • Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
  • Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.

Medicare covers certain audiology services, including hearing and balance exams.

Medicare also covers an annual appointment with an audiologist without needing a referral from a healthcare professional. However, it will only cover these appointments if:

  • a person has a non-acute hearing condition, such as hearing loss that occurs over many years
  • the diagnostic services are related to hearing loss that doctors treat with surgically implanted hearing devices

Medicare does not cover hearing aids or the appointments to fit hearing aids. The individual is responsible for 100% of the cost of these types of audiology services.

Medicare Part B covers certain audiology services. The individual is responsible for the monthly Part B premium, which in 2025, begins at $185 and goes up according to income.

A person is also responsible for paying out of pocket for services until they meet the yearly Part B deductible, which is $257. Once an individual reaches the deductible, they are then responsible for 20% of the Medicare-approved costs.

Learn more about Part B costs.

Medicare resources

For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.