Hearing aids are life-changing for many people who struggle with a hearing loss, but they also require a financial investment. Like many things in life, with advancements, inflation and the general cost of living, hearing aids are getting more expensive.
The good news is that there are several funding programs available to Ontarians to help with the cost of hearing aids. Read on to learn about some of these programs and how to find out if you qualify.
Private Insurance Coverage
If you have private health benefits, outside of OHIP, a certain amount of coverage is allocated for hearing devices. This can range from coverage every 3-5 years, a percentage of the total or a lump sum toward the cost.
Regardless, any help financially can be a great benefit. Insurance coverage can vary greatly based on the provider and plan. For information on your coverage, call your insurance provider directly and ask them about hearing aid benefits.
Government Hearing Aid Funding
Under Ontario Health, every Ontario citizen in need of hearing aids is eligible for funding under the Assistive Devices Program (ADP). ADP provides $500 per hearing aid every five years for Ontario residents with a valid OHIP card.
At The Ear Depot, we consider this funding from the beginning, ensuring that you get the automatic savings. We handle all relevant paperwork for you.
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Benefits
If you work or have worked in noisy environments, you may be entitled to benefits from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB). WSIB will cover the expenses of hearing aids to a certain extent if your hearing loss is noise-induced. To be eligible, you must have worked in loud environments such as factories, construction, around heavy machinery, etc.
If you were exposed to high levels of noise at your workplace for long periods on a daily basis (90 dB for 8 hours or more), then it is highly likely that you will suffer from a hearing loss at some point. When you visit us for a hearing test, we evaluate whether you are a possible candidate for WSIB coverage. If you are, we can help you start the application process to seek approval for funding.
Department of Veterans Affairs or Veterans Affairs Canada Benefits
The Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), now called the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), provides a variety of healthcare benefits for veterans.
If you have a noise-induced hearing loss caused by your service, you may be entitled to hearing aids covered by the VAC. This is relevant for those currently in service and veterans of the Canadian military and RCMP.
Non-Insured Health Benefits
As a First Nations or Inuit individual registered with the Canadian government, you are entitled to Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB). This includes hearing aids.
While there is quite a bit of paperwork required, we at The Ear Depot will guide you through the steps and submit the information on your behalf. Under NIHB, you are entitled to fully covered hearing aids every five years.
Social Assistance
Programs like the Ontario Disability Support Program (OSDP) of Canada cover medical expenses to a certain extent. Also, there may be funding available for you if you qualify for programs such as Ontario Works (OW) or ODSP and need hearing aids.
Not sure if you qualify for hearing aids under these social programs? With the proper information, we can reach out to your support worker, inquire about your status and request the necessary paperwork.
Hearing Aids at The Ear Depot
If you think you or a loved one may be eligible for third-party hearing aid coverage from any of the programs listed above, call us to schedule an appointment.
You can reach our Peterborough location at (705) 749-0707 and our Marmora location at (613) 472-6134.
In addition to a hearing test to determine if hearing aids are right for you, we’ll spend some time discussing your history, lifestyle and possible eligibility for hearing aid coverage.
Bonus, we’ll take care of all the paperwork for you!
