Hearing aid coverage and laws in Ohio

Ohio at a glance

Does Ohio Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Ohio Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. Loss of 31 dB or more; certificate of medical necessity. ^[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. ^[5]

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 Ohio require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Ohio requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: 21 and under. $2,500 every 48 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. ^[7] Ask HR whether your plan is fully insured or self-funded. More in our private insurance guide.

Ohio hearing aid trial period and return rights

You can return hearing aids for any reason within 30 days of delivery. The seller may keep an amount for expenses that must be written on your receipt. Days the seller has the aid don't count. ^[3]

Consumer Reports says most states require at least a 30-day trial for prescription hearing aids. ^[8] NIDCD notes that most makers allow 30 to 60 days and suggests asking which fees aren't refundable. ^[9] 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. ^[10]

Who licenses hearing care providers in Ohio

• Ohio Speech and Hearing Professionals Board: audiologists and hearing aid dispensers ^[4]

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 Ohio

• Medicare. Original Medicare doesn't pay for hearing aids. ^[11] 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. ^[12] 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 Ohio rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Ohio

The directory lists 636 hearing care providers in Ohio, with 562 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Ohio has 5.3 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #14 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, Cleveland, Dayton, Akron, Canton, North Canton, Dublin, Zanesville. Or browse every Ohio hearing clinic.