There are many financing options available to help make better hearing accessible to more Canadians
If you’ve recently visited a hearing clinic, you may have been surprised — and maybe a bit discouraged — by the cost of hearing aids.
The initial sticker-shock can be jarring, especially if you’re an older adult living on a fixed income.
But look a bit closer and you’ll find many financing options that drastically reduce the cost and make it manageable for almost any budget.
Here are a few options to consider for financing your new hearing aids.
Access government funding
In Canada, most provincial health plans cover at least a portion of the cost of hearing aids.
British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan all offer hearing aid coverage for low-income residents through supplementary health benefits, for instance. Ontario has a universal program covering up to 75 per cent of the cost of each aid (up to $500), while Alberta covers up to 75 per cent of each aid, up to $1,200, and bases its numbers on the individual’s income. Alberta pays 75 per cent of the cost (up to $500 per person). Quebec pays the full cost for eligible recipients.
Additionally, veterans and eligible workers’ compensation funding recipients may receive 100 per cent coverage in most provinces.
If you’re unsure how to access provincial funding toward the cost of hearing aids, the staff at your local hearing clinic can help.
“We are fully aware of what’s available,” said Jillian Price, chief audiologist at HearingLife Canada, a nationwide network of hearing clinics.
“That burden isn’t on the client — to have all that information.”
Employer and pension health benefits
In many cases, full or partial funding for hearing aids is covered by your employee health plan or, in some cases, your pension-related health benefits.
This can be a huge help in reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
“We will be able to help you with that too,” said Price, speaking for the staff at HearingLife Canada clinics.
Although it’s best to check with your insurance provider directly, the staff at HearingLife can help you access these benefits and provide documentation relevant to your claim.
Claim hearing aids on your income tax return
In Canada, the cost of hearing aids — including repairs and batteries — is an eligible health expense you can claim on your income tax filing.
Make sure to keep all receipts from hearing aid-related purchases to support your claim.
Spread the payments over several years
It’s possible to spread the cost of hearing aids into several manageable payments over as many as five years.
https://www.hearinglife.ca/hearing-aids/prices/special-offers
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