Hearing Aid & Eyeglass Assistance Finder
Original Medicare does not cover routine hearing aids or eyeglasses. Several national nonprofit programs do, mostly for households under 200% of the poverty line. Check your income, then go to the programs.
Most national hearing aid and eyeglass charity programs set their income limit at 200% of the federal poverty line. For one person in the 48 contiguous states, that is $31,920 a year under the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines. Check your household against that figure below, then go to the programs: the Miracle-Ear Foundation and Hearing Charities of America's National Hearing Aid Project for hearing aids, and EyeCare America and VSP Eyes of Hope for eye exams and glasses.
Original Medicare does not pay for routine hearing aids or eyeglasses, and much of what is written about "free hearing aids" is out of date or unclear about who qualifies. The programs below are listed with the criteria each one publishes.
Check Your Income Eligibility
Hearing Aid Programs
Miracle-Ear Foundation
Income at or below 200% FPL, and you must have already exhausted insurance, Medicaid, VA, and other resources. A $200 application fee applies for adults (waived for children). Adults may reapply every 5 years.
See eligibility & apply →National Hearing Aid Project (Hearing Charities of America)
Provides refurbished hearing aids at no cost to income-eligible applicants. Requires a state ID, proof of income, and a hearing test from a licensed audiologist within the last 6 months. Check local funding first, then apply by email.
See how to apply →Vision & Eyeglass Programs
EyeCare America
Free comprehensive eye exam (plus up to a year of follow-up care for conditions found) for uninsured or underinsured adults 18+ who haven't seen an ophthalmologist in 3+ years and aren't in an HMO or covered by VA benefits. Doesn't cover the cost of glasses themselves.
Check eligibility →VSP Eyes of Hope
Currently paused. VSP's site says new gift certificates for free eye exams and glasses, normally for households at or below 200% of the poverty line, are not being issued because of demand. Check back, and use the other programs here in the meantime.
Check current status →What Medicare covers. Original Medicare treats hearing aids, hearing exams, eyeglasses and routine eye exams as routine care and does not pay for them. It does cover cataract surgery and one pair of glasses or contact lenses afterward, and eye exams for certain conditions such as diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma risk. Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing and vision benefits, so check your plan first.
| Program | Helps with | Main conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Miracle-Ear Foundation | Hearing aids | Income at or below 200% of the poverty line. $200 application fee for adults. You can reapply after 5 years. |
| National Hearing Aid Project (Hearing Charities of America) | Hearing aids | Income at or below 200% of the poverty line. No stated fee. Fitting is done through a local audiologist. |
| EyeCare America | Eye exam only | Uninsured or underinsured adults 18 and older who have not seen an ophthalmologist in 3 years or more. |
| VSP Eyes of Hope | Eye exam and glasses | Normally for households at or below 200% of the poverty line. New certificates are paused. |
Each program sets its own rules, and income is only one of them. Read the full requirements on the program's site before you apply.
Vision help comes in two parts. The exam and the glasses usually come from different sources. EyeCare America dropped its age-65 requirement in 2025 and covers the exam, not the glasses. VSP Eyes of Hope covers glasses, but it is not taking new applicants at present. Check its site from time to time.
Other places to ask. Local Lions Clubs often help with eyeglasses and sometimes hearing aids. If you have Medicaid, your state may cover hearing aids or glasses for adults. Veterans enrolled in VA health care can get hearing aids and glasses through the VA when they meet its criteria.
Over-the-counter hearing aids. Since October 2022, FDA rules have allowed adults with mild to moderate hearing loss to buy hearing aids without a prescription or exam. They cost much less than prescription devices and involve no application or waiting list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aids or eyeglasses?
Original Medicare does not cover routine hearing aids, hearing exams, eyeglasses or routine eye exams. Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing and vision benefits, so check your plan. Original Medicare does cover cataract surgery, one pair of glasses or contacts afterward, and eye exams related to certain conditions.
What income limit do most hearing aid charity programs use?
200% of the federal poverty guidelines is the most common limit. The Miracle-Ear Foundation and the National Hearing Aid Project (Hearing Charities of America) both use it. It depends on household size and not every program uses it, so confirm with the program.
What are over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids?
Since October 2022, FDA rules have allowed adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss to buy hearing aids without a prescription, exam or audiologist visit. They are sold at pharmacies and online and usually cost far less than prescription hearing aids.
Is EyeCare America only for seniors?
No. EyeCare America used to require applicants to be 65 or older. Since 2025 it has been open to uninsured and underinsured adults 18 and older who have not seen an ophthalmologist in 3 years or more and are not in an HMO or covered by VA benefits.
Is VSP Eyes of Hope currently available?
VSP's site says distribution of new Eyes of Hope gift certificates is paused because of high demand. Check the site for changes and use the other programs listed here in the meantime.
Program details (income limits, fees and current status) were checked against each program's own site as of August 2026. Nonprofit programs can change their rules, run short of funding, or pause and resume at short notice, so confirm with the program before you rely on this. This site is not affiliated with the Miracle-Ear Foundation, Hearing Charities of America, EyeCare America, VSP or any organization listed here.