Hearing aids can change lives, but they’re expensive, and most insurance plans don’t cover them. The good news is that there are free, low-cost, and donation-based programs that can help you or someone you love get the hearing support they need.
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This guide explains the different types of hearing aid assistance, the national programs available, and a state-by-state directory so you can find help near you.
Understanding the Different Types of Free Hearing Aid Programs
Before diving in to our list of free hearing aid providers, it helps to know what kinds of support exist. Depending on your income, age, or location, you might qualify for one or more of these options!
- Charitable Foundations: Nonprofits like Starkey Hearing Foundation, Help America Hear, and Miracle-Ear Foundation offer free or refurbished hearing aids for people who meet income limits. Some provide brand-new devices, while others refurbish donated ones. Applicants usually need to show financial hardship and a recent hearing test.
- State-Run Assistance Programs: Every state has its own programs — from hearing aid banks to equipment distribution systems and Medicaid coverage. These often help people who need hearing aids for health, school, or work.
- Children’s Hearing Aid Programs: Several states and nonprofits fund hearing aids specifically for kids. These fill the gap for families who earn too much for Medicaid but still can’t afford devices. Examples include HearU Nebraska, Heartspring, and multiple Children’s Hearing Aid Programs across the country.
- Discount & Loan Programs: Programs like AUDIENT and the Assistive Technology Loan Fund Authority (ATLFA) help middle-income households by offering sliding-scale prices or low-interest loans for hearing aids.
- Veteran’s Programs: If you served in the U.S. military, you may qualify for free hearing aids and hearing tests through VA Audiology Services. The Air Force Aid Society and other military groups also help with hearing-related expenses.
- Civic & Community Organizations: Groups like Lions Clubs, Kiwanis, and Elks Lodges operate local hearing aid banks, screenings, and donation drives. These community programs are often the fastest and easiest to access.
- University & Nonprofit Hearing Clinics: Many universities with audiology programs — such as Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center and the University of Texas Callier Center — offer testing and hearing aids at reduced cost.
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids: Since 2022, the FDA has allowed adults with mild to moderate hearing loss to buy hearing aids over the counter. They aren’t free, but they usually cost far less and don’t require a prescription or fitting.
National Hearing Aid Programs
These programs offer free or low-cost hearing aids and related support to people across the United States. You can apply to more than one at the same time.
| Name | What They Offer | Who Qualifies | How to Apply |
| Affordable Hearing Aid Helpline | This free helpline by our sponsor CareConnect USA can help you navigate your hearing aid options. | Anyone can call the helpline | 888-258-5305 |
| Access HEARS | Low cost hearing devices and counseling for older adults. | Anyone | accesshears.com |
| Air Force Aid Society | Emergency grants and interest-free loans for medical expenses not covered by Tricare | Active duty and retired Air Force members and families | afas.org |
| Alexander Graham Bell Association (AG Bell) | Financial aid and scholarships for those with hearing loss | Children and adults using spoken language | agbell.org |
| Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (USA) | Free hearing tests and devices through local lodges | Varies by lodge and region | elks.org |
| Ear Community | Donated hearing equipment and family support | Children with microtia or atresia | earcommunity.org |
| Easterseals | Hearing services, assistive tech, and referrals | People with disabilities or limited income | easterseals.com |
HEARaid Foundation | Financial help for hearing aids and repairs | Low-income individuals | hearaidfoundation.org |
| Hearing the Call | Low-cost hearing clinics and hearing aids | Low income people near their clinics | hearingthecall.org |
| Help America Hear | Free new digital hearing aids and fittings | Low- and moderate-income adults and families | helpamericahear.org |
| HIKE Fund, Inc. | Hearing aid grants for children | Children up to age 20 | thehikefund.org |
| Let Them Hear Foundation | Hearing services for underprivileged youth | Low income American youth | letthemhear.org |
| Lions Clubs | Refurbished hearing aids, screenings, and local donations | Local residents with financial need | lionsclubs.org |
| Starkey Cares | Reduced-cost hearing devices | low income US residents | starkey.com |
State Hearing Aid Assistance Programs
This table shows the main programs, but many states also have smaller local hearing aid banks and community nonprofits. Always check with your local Lions Club, Area Agency on Aging, or audiology clinic for additional help.
| State | Program Name | Services | How to Apply |
| Alabama | The Hearing Foundation at Hearing Professionals of Alabama | 0% interest payment plans for 12-18 months through special financing | hpoal.com |
| Alaska | Assistive Technology of Alaska (ATLA) | Device loans, assistive technology | atlaak.org |
| Arizona | Grace Hearing Center | Sliding scale hearing services for those with an income under 250% of Federal Poverty Level | gracehearing.org |
| Arizona | Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing | Free hearing care (including supplies and aids) through partnershisp with ASU, NAU and UofA | acdhh.org |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Rehabilitation Services – Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program | Provides adaptive equipment and referrals for residents with hearing loss. | dws.arkansas.gov/ar-rehabilitation-services/field-services/deaf-hard-of-hearing/ |
| California | Medi‑Cal | Medi-Cal will cover up to $1,510 per person per fiscal year for hearing aid benefits (or more for those under 21) | dhcs.ca.gov |
| Connecticut | Dept. of Aging and Disability Services | Counseling and assistive tech help | portal.ct.gov |
| Delaware | Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI) | Device loans | dati.org |
| Florida | Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation | Significantly reduced cost hearing aids and services | familyhearinghelp.org |
| Georgia | Georgia Hearing Aid Dispatch (administered through the Georgia Hearing Aid Distribution Program) | Provides hearing aids at low cost to eligible low-income Georgia residents. | gacharitycare.org/ga-hearing-aid-dispatch |
| Hawaii | Assistive Technology Resource Centers of Hawaii | Device loans and financial guidance | atrc.org |
| Idaho | Idaho Assistive Technology Project | Device loans, refurbished aids | idahoat.org |
| Illinois | Americans for Better Hearing Foundation | Refurbished hearing aids and financial assistance | abhf.org/ |
| Illinois | Illinois Assistive Technology Program | Refurbished aids and device loans | iltech.org |
| Indiana | GiveHear | Sliding-scale hearing services, including tests and hearing aids | givehear.org |
| Kansas | Kansas Department of Health and Environment | Loaner hearing aids for Kansas infants/toddlers (birth–36 mo), reducing cost barriers. | kdhe.ks.gov/900/Hearing-Aid-Bank |
| Kentucky | KCDHH | Maintains a list of local hearing aid help organizations | kcdhh.ky.gov |
| Louisiana | Lighthouse Louisiana — Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services | Provides free hearing aids and adaptive equipment to low-income residents age 50+ with hearing loss. | lighthouselouisiana.org/our-services/deaf-services/ |
| Maine | Maine CITE | Device loans | maincite.org |
| Maryland | Assistive Technology Program – Department of Disabilities | Temporary hearing aid loans | mdod.maryland.gov |
| Massachusetts | MCDHH | Free or low-cost hearing and communication devices | mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-for-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing |
| Michigan | Hope for Hearing – University of Michigan | Refurbished and sliding-scale hearing aids | michiganmedicine.org/ |
| Minnesota | U of M Lions Children’s Hearing Center | Offers refurbished hearing aids at reduced cost and pediatric hearing services through the University of Minnesota. | 5mhf.org/ |
| Mississippi | MDRS – Office on Deaf & Hard of Hearing | Provides assistive-technology referrals and coordination of services for residents with hearing loss. | mdrs.ms.gov/odhh |
| Missouri | Missouri Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing – Hearing Aid Distribution Program | Provides hearing aids at no or reduced cost for residents below the federal poverty line. | mcdhh.mo.gov/hard-of-hearing/ |
| Montana | Montana Assistive Technology Program | Federally funded program offering assistive technology loans and resources, including hearing aids. | montech.ruralinstitute.umt.edu/montana-assistive-technology-program-matp/ |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing | Offers financial assistance, hearing aid resources, and referral services for residents with hearing loss. | ncdhh.nebraska.gov/content/nebraska-hearing-aid-banks |
| Nevada | Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center | Offers device loans, demos, and guidance on financial aid for assistive technology, including hearing aids. | unr.edu/nced/projects/nced-natrc |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Assistive Technology Program | Offers free device loans, tech demos, and refurbished equipment reuse, including hearing aids and amplifiers. | iod.unh.edu/assistive-technology |
| New Jersey | NJ Hearing Aid Project | Provides free refurbished hearing aids to eligible New Jersey residents. | nj.gov/humanservices/ddhh/services/hearingaid/project |
| New Mexico | NM Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing | Helps eligible New Mexico residents obtain hearing aids at a reduced cost and provides advocacy and referrals. | cdhh.nm.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Financial-Assistance-for-Hearing-Aids.pdf |
| New York | Center for Hearing & Communication | Offers discounted hearing tests and refurbished hearing aids for eligible clients. | chchearing.org |
| Ohio | Columbus Speech & Hearing | Non-profit offering refurbished hearing aids and sliding-scale care for low-income residents. | columbusspeech.org |
| Oklahoma | Hough Ear Institute – HoughAid Program | Provides free digital hearing aids to eligible adults with low income (≤ 200% FPL). | houghear.org/hearing-aids |
| Oregon | Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation — ROAR! Hearing Assistance Program | Provides new hearing aids at very low cost for eligible adults (≤ 200% FPL) who haven’t used the program in 2+ years. | olshf.org/roar |
| Pennsylvania | Western Pennsylvania Lions Hearing Foundation | Provides hearing aids to eligible low-income individuals in western Pennsylvania. | wpalhf.org |
| Rhode Island | Ocean State Center for Independent Living – Gift of Hearing Program | Provides free or low-cost hearing aids to eligible Rhode Island residents. | oscil.org/assistive-technology/gift-of-hearing |
| South Carolina | Montgomery Speech, Language & Hearing Clinic (University of South Carolina) | Clinic offering hearing evaluations and hearing instruments via licensed audiologists. | sc.edu/study/…/hearing-aid-services |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Dept. of Human Services – Division of Rehabilitation Services | Provides financial assistance for hearing aids when needed for employment or daily living. | doh.sd.gov/licensing-and-records/boards/audiology/south-dakota-hearing-aid-assistance-program |
| Tennessee | HEAR Nashville | Provides financial assistance and hearing aids for eligible low-income adults. | hearnashville.org |
| Texas | Callier Center for Communication Disorders – University of Texas at Dallas | Reduced-cost hearing aids and services by audiology trainees under supervision. | calliercenter.utdallas.edu/ |
| Utah | Utah Assistive Technology Program | Refurbished hearing aids and assistive listening devices | uatpat.org |
| Vermont | Vermont Lions – Hearing Aid Recycling | Collects, refurbishes and re-issues hearing aids to those in need via Lions clubs. | vermontlions.org |
| Virginia | Central Virginia Lions Hearing Aid Bank | Provides free refurbished hearing aids to eligible residents with verified financial need. | lionshabva.org |
| Washington | Northwest Lions Foundation – Hearing Aid Program | Provides free or reduced‐cost hearing aids through Lions Club sponsorship and local providers. | northwestlionsfoundation.org/hearing.php |
| West Virginia | West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services | Provides hearing aids and assistive listening devices for eligible individuals with hearing loss needing employment or independence support. | wvdrs.org |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Medicaid & BadgerCare Plus | Covers hearing exams and hearing aids for eligible children and adults under state insurance. | forwardhealth.wi.gov |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Adult Hearing Aid Program – Wyoming Department of Health | Provides free or low-cost hearing aids for eligible low-income adults statewide. | health.wyo.gov/healthcarefin/adult-hearing-aid-program |
Best Practices for Getting Hearing Aid Assistance
Finding affordable hearing aids can feel overwhelming, but a few smart steps can make the process smoother and faster:
- Gather your paperwork early: Most programs require proof of income, residency, and a recent hearing test. Having these documents ready can speed up approval. If you don’t already have a recent hearing test, check local universities, Costco hearing centers, or nonprofit clinics.
- Apply to more than one program: You can combine help from multiple sources. For example, a state hearing aid bank might provide devices while a Lions Club helps cover fittings or batteries.
- Start local, then go national: Local and state programs often move faster and provide in-person support, but national charities can fill gaps or offer backup funding if local aid runs out.
- Stay in touch with your audiologist or provider: Many hearing specialists know about current assistance programs or can write letters supporting your application.
- Ask about refurbished or donated devices: Refurbished hearing aids are professionally cleaned and reprogrammed. They can perform just as well as new ones at a fraction of the cost.
- Check for updated Medicaid coverage: More states now include adult hearing aids under Medicaid. It’s worth calling your state Medicaid office or visiting its website to confirm.
- Keep trying: Some programs have limited funding cycles, but applications reopen regularly. If you’re denied, ask when you can reapply.
Hearing loss can be isolating, but no one should have to go without help because of cost. Between state programs, national charities, and community organizations, there’s real support out there. Start with one or two applications, keep your paperwork organized, and don’t give up — affordable hearing care is possible.
Relief Recap
If you’re struggling to afford hearing aids, you’re not alone — and there are real solutions available. Between state programs, nonprofit organizations, and federal resources, help is out there for seniors, veterans, and anyone living on a limited income. You don’t have to miss out on life’s most important conversations because of cost.
For personalized assistance finding free or low-cost hearing aid programs in your area, call the Hearing Aid Helpline at 888-258-5305. Trained specialists can help you explore your options and connect you with the programs that can help. Don’t wait — better hearing could be just one call away.