Hearing aid coverage and laws in Texas

Texas at a glance

Does Texas Medicaid cover hearing aids?

Texas Medicaid covers hearing aids for adults who meet its rules. One aid (one ear) every 5 years; loss of 35 dB or more in both ears. ^[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 Texas require insurance to cover hearing aids?

Texas requires state-regulated health plans to cover hearing aids for children only. Who's covered: 18 and under. One hearing aid per ear every 3 years. ^[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.

Texas hearing aid trial period and return rights

You get 30 days from delivery to return hearing aids bought from a licensed audiologist or hearing instrument dispenser. The seller can keep a fee set in your contract. The 30 days restart after a manufacturer repair. ^[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 Texas

Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Program (STAP). Vouchers for amplified phones and other phone equipment for Texas residents age 5 and up whose disability makes it hard to use the phone. ^[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 Texas

• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists: audiologists ^[5]
• Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers: 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 Texas

• 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 Texas rules with typical prices.

Find hearing care in Texas

The directory lists 1,252 hearing care providers in Texas, with 1,082 audiologists registered at those addresses. By our count of the federal registry, Texas has 3.6 audiologists per 100,000 residents, which ranks #45 of 51.

Cities with the most listings: Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Corpus Christi, El Paso, Plano, Longview. Or browse every Texas hearing clinic.