Does job-based or Marketplace insurance cover hearing test?

Usually covered when a doctor orders it for a hearing problem; children’s screenings are $0. A hearing test for symptoms (hearing loss, ringing, dizziness) is covered like other diagnostic care. Newborn and childhood hearing screenings are preventive care at $0 in network. Adult exams only to fit hearing aids are often not covered unless the plan has a hearing benefit. Cost: Usually your specialist copay, or deductible and coinsurance; children’s screenings $0 in network.

Does Original Medicare cover hearing test?

Yes, Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams. Medicare covers hearing and balance exams that your doctor orders to see whether you need medical treatment, and you can see an audiologist once every 12 months without an order for certain hearing problems. Exams only for fitting hearing aids aren’t covered. Cost: 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.

Does Medicare Advantage cover hearing test?

Yes, Medicare Advantage plans must cover hearing test, but your plan sets the copay. Medicare covers hearing and balance exams that your doctor orders to see whether you need medical treatment, and you can see an audiologist once every 12 months without an order for certain hearing problems. Exams only for fitting hearing aids aren’t covered. Medicare Advantage plans must cover this too, but set their own copays and often require in-network providers and prior authorization. Cost: Your plan’s copay or coinsurance: check the Evidence of Coverage.

Does Medicaid cover hearing test?

Yes when a doctor orders it to find a hearing problem; children get hearing screenings and care under EPSDT. A hearing test to diagnose a problem is part of Medicaid’s doctor and outpatient benefits in every state. A routine adult exam for hearing aids follows your state’s hearing aid benefit, which most states have.

Is hearing test covered by insurance?

Hearing and balance exams, and children's hearing screenings. Here’s how each kind of plan usually handles it.

Ask a specific question Plan a visit: cost and doctors Check it against my plan

Employer or MarketplaceCovered with conditions
Usually covered when a doctor orders it for a hearing problem; children’s screenings are $0.
More details
A hearing test for symptoms (hearing loss, ringing, dizziness) is covered like other diagnostic care. and childhood hearing screenings are at $0 in network. Adult exams only to fit hearing aids are often not covered unless the plan has a hearing benefit.
Cost: Usually your specialist copay, or deductible and coinsurance; children’s screenings $0 in network.
Original MedicareCovered with conditions
Yes, Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams.
More details
Medicare covers hearing and balance exams that your doctor orders to see whether you need medical treatment, and you can see an audiologist once every 12 months without an order for certain hearing problems. Exams only for fitting hearing aids aren’t covered.
Cost: 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.
Medicare AdvantageCovered with conditions
Yes, Medicare Advantage plans must cover hearing test, but your plan sets the copay.
More details
Medicare covers hearing and balance exams that your doctor orders to see whether you need medical treatment, and you can see an audiologist once every 12 months without an order for certain hearing problems. Exams only for fitting hearing aids aren’t covered. plans must cover this too, but set their own copays and often require providers and prior authorization.
Cost: Your plan’s copay or coinsurance: check the Evidence of Coverage.
MedicaidCovered with conditions
Yes when a doctor orders it to find a hearing problem; children get hearing screenings and care under EPSDT.
More details
A hearing test to diagnose a problem is part of Medicaid’s doctor and outpatient benefits in every state. A routine adult exam for hearing aids follows your state’s hearing aid benefit, which most states have.

Plan type	How it’s usually covered
Employer or MarketplaceCovered with conditions	Usually covered when a doctor orders it for a hearing problem; children’s screenings are $0. A hearing test for symptoms (hearing loss, ringing, dizziness) is covered like other diagnostic care. and childhood hearing screenings are at $0 in network. Adult exams only to fit hearing aids are often not covered unless the plan has a hearing benefit. Cost: Usually your specialist copay, or deductible and coinsurance; children’s screenings $0 in network.
Original MedicareCovered with conditions	Yes, Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams. Medicare covers hearing and balance exams that your doctor orders to see whether you need medical treatment, and you can see an audiologist once every 12 months without an order for certain hearing problems. Exams only for fitting hearing aids aren’t covered. Cost: 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible.
Medicare AdvantageCovered with conditions	Yes, Medicare Advantage plans must cover hearing test, but your plan sets the copay. Medicare covers hearing and balance exams that your doctor orders to see whether you need medical treatment, and you can see an audiologist once every 12 months without an order for certain hearing problems. Exams only for fitting hearing aids aren’t covered. plans must cover this too, but set their own copays and often require providers and prior authorization. Cost: Your plan’s copay or coinsurance: check the Evidence of Coverage.
MedicaidCovered with conditions	Yes when a doctor orders it to find a hearing problem; children get hearing screenings and care under EPSDT. A hearing test to diagnose a problem is part of Medicaid’s doctor and outpatient benefits in every state. A routine adult exam for hearing aids follows your state’s hearing aid benefit, which most states have.

What usually has to be true

A doctor’s order or a hearing problem makes it diagnostic; exams only to fit hearing aids are often excluded.

Good to know

Newborns get a hearing screening before leaving the hospital, covered as part of newborn care.

Hearing aids · Hearing aids and fittings.
Well-child visit · Routine pediatric checkups, developmental screening, and immunizations.

Sources

Typical rules for 2026 plans, checked against these sources on October 20, 2026. Your plan’s own documents decide.

1
Preventive care benefits for children
HealthCare.gov
Covered services for children include well-child visits, immunizations, developmental and autism screening, vision and hearing screening, oral health risk assessment, and fluoride varnish, when criteria are met.
2
Essential health benefits
HealthCare.gov
Essential health benefits are ten categories of services, including ambulatory care, emergency services, hospitalization, maternity and newborn care, mental health and substance use services, prescription drugs, rehabilitative and habilitative services, laboratory services, preventive care, and pediatric services including oral and vision care.
3
Hearing and balance exams
Medicare.gov
Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams when ordered to determine whether medical treatment is needed; certain audiologist visits are covered once every 12 months without an order.
4
Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Medicare.gov
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare covers (except hospice, which Original Medicare continues to pay), usually use provider networks, often require referrals or prior authorization, and may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing.
5
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT)
Medicaid.gov
EPSDT requires Medicaid to cover screening, vision, dental, hearing, and all medically necessary services for children and adolescents under 21, even when the state does not cover the service for adults.

General information about how coverage usually works, not a decision about your plan. Your plan documents and insurer have the final word.

Is hearing test covered by insurance?

What usually has to be true

Good to know

Related

Sources