It is no secret that purchasing hearing aids is a financial investment and it is a sound one indeed! This post is not about why managing your hearing loss is a good idea; instead, this is to help those who are already in the market to purchase a hearing aid. In this case, let’s see how we can help you with seeking funding for the medical devices.
All residences in Ontario with OHIP coverage (regardless of their age) can apply for government funding to assist with their hearing aid purchase. The government will grant a $500 fund per hearing aid for your first purchase through the Assistive Devices Program (ADP). At Ultima Hearing Centre, our staff will help you submit the application and the government funding will be automatically deducted from your balance. The government funding will go directly to our clinic and you will not have to pay for it upfront.
It is also helpful to know that ADP will fund for new hearing aids every five years after the initial purchase. The eligibility may be even sooner depending on whether significant repairs are warranted for the hearing aids and whether you have experienced significant changes in hearing levels. The specific terms around ADP eligibility should be discussed with your clinician on your consultation.
Another useful consideration is whether you may be covered by third parties like Workplace Safety Insurance Board (WSIB), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and Ontario Works (OW). These programs may fund the cost of specific hearing aid models so it is worthwhile to discuss with your clinician about whether you may be eligible for the coverage.
Last but not least, check with your private insurance (Manulife, Great West Life, Sun Life…etc) to see whether your plan covers for hearing aids.
There may be available avenues that can help with hearing aid funding so make sure to ask your clinician who should be familiar with program eligibility!
Just as a side note, make sure to keep all your receipts when purchasing hearing aids. They are tax-deductible, meaning you can list them as a medical expense to claim as a tax credit on your income tax!