Hearing aid coverage and laws in North Carolina

North Carolina at a glance

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover hearing aids?

North Carolina Medicaid covers hearing aids for children, not adults. Under 21 only. ^[1]

Children and young adults under 21 are a different case. Medicaid's EPSDT benefit requires states to cover the care they need, which includes hearing aids. ^[7]

If you get Medicaid through a managed care plan, ask the plan how hearing aid approvals work and which providers it uses. Our state-by-state Medicaid guide explains how the benefit usually works.

Does North Carolina require insurance to cover hearing aids?

North Carolina requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: under 22. $2,500 per aid every 36 months. ^[2]

State mandates only reach fully insured plans, the kind bought from an insurance company. Self-funded employer plans follow federal ERISA law instead, so a state mandate may not apply to your job's plan. ^[9] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

North Carolina hearing aid trial period and return rights

We found no North Carolina law requiring a hearing aid trial period, so get the return terms in writing. ^[3]

Consumer Reports says most states require at least a 30-day trial for prescription hearing aids. ^[10] NIDCD notes that most makers allow 30 to 60 days and suggests asking which fees aren't refundable. ^[11] Whatever the law, put the trial length, fees and warranty on the purchase agreement.

Over-the-counter hearing aids follow federal rules: the maker must print its return policy on the package, or say it has none. ^[12]

Free amplified and captioned phones in North Carolina

North Carolina Equipment Distribution Service (Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing). North Carolina residents with income up to 250% of the federal poverty level and a certificate of disability can get captioned phones, amplifiers and, for some, telecoil hearing aids. ^[4]

These programs are separate from hearing aid coverage. They can help even if you already wear hearing aids.

Who licenses hearing care providers in North Carolina

• North Carolina Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists: audiologists ^[5]
• North Carolina State Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board: hearing aid dispensers ^[6]

Use the board to check that a provider's license is current, or to file a complaint about a sale or a refund.

Other ways to pay for hearing aids in North Carolina

• Medicare. Original Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids. ^[13] Some Medicare Advantage plans add a hearing benefit, usually through a network. See Medicare and hearing aids and how Medicare Advantage hearing networks work.
• VA. Eligible veterans can get hearing aids through VA health care. ^[14] See hearing aids through the VA.
• Lower-cost options. OTC hearing aids, warehouse clubs, nonprofit programs and university clinics. See free and low-cost hearing aids and what hearing aids cost.
• Estimate your cost. The hearing aid cost estimator combines these North Carolina rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in North Carolina

The directory lists 453 hearing care providers in North Carolina, with 473 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, North Carolina has 5.3 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #13 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Raleigh, Greensboro, Charlotte, Asheville, Durham, Cary, Wilmington, Fayetteville, High Point, Mooresville. Or browse every North Carolina hearing clinic.