Hearing Aid & Eyeglass Assistance Finder
Original Medicare doesn't cover routine hearing aids or eyeglasses — but several national nonprofit programs do, mostly for households under 200% of the poverty line. Check where you stand, then go straight to real programs.
Most national hearing aid and eyeglass charity programs use 200% of the federal poverty line as their income cutoff — for a single person in the 48 contiguous states, that's about $31,300 in 2026. Below, check where your household stands against that threshold, then go directly to the specific 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.
This is a real, persistent coverage gap — Original Medicare doesn't pay for routine hearing aids or eyeglasses at all, and a lot of what's searchable online about "free hearing aids" is either outdated or vague about exactly who qualifies. Below are the actual programs, checked against their own current published criteria, not a general list.
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 own site states new gift certificates for free eye exams and glasses (normally for households at/below 200% FPL) aren't being distributed right now due to demand. Worth checking back, and pursuing the other programs here in the meantime.
Check current status →The coverage gap here is real and often catches people off guard: Original Medicare treats hearing and vision as routine care, not medical necessity, so it doesn't pay for hearing aids, hearing exams, eyeglasses, or routine eye exams at all — the same way it doesn't cover routine dental. Some Medicare Advantage plans bundle in hearing and vision benefits specifically to fill this gap, which is worth checking on your specific plan before assuming you're on your own for the cost. Original Medicare does cover cataract surgery and pays for one pair of glasses or contacts afterward, plus diagnostic (not routine) eye exams tied to specific conditions like diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma risk.
Both major hearing aid programs listed above use the same 200% federal poverty line threshold, which isn't a coincidence — it's become something of a de facto standard among hearing health charities, though it's not universal and every program sets its own rules independently. The Miracle-Ear Foundation is the more structured of the two, with a $200 application fee for adults and a defined 5-year reapplication window; the National Hearing Aid Project's process is closer to a direct-application-and-documentation model with no stated fee, working through your local audiologist for the actual fitting.
Vision assistance looks different because eye exams and eyeglasses are typically separate benefits from different sources. EyeCare America recently (2025) dropped its longstanding 65+ age requirement, opening it to any uninsured or underinsured adult 18+, but it only covers the exam itself, not the cost of glasses. VSP Eyes of Hope is the piece meant to cover glasses specifically, but as of this writing it's paused for new applicants — worth checking their site periodically rather than assuming it's permanently closed. If your hearing loss is on the milder side, it's also worth knowing that FDA rules changed in October 2022 to allow over-the-counter hearing aids without a prescription or exam, often at a fraction of the cost of traditional prescription devices — a real option that doesn't depend on charity funding or waitlists at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare cover hearing aids or eyeglasses?
Original Medicare doesn't cover routine hearing aids, hearing exams, eyeglasses, or routine eye exams. Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing and vision benefits, so it's worth checking your specific plan first. Original Medicare does cover cataract surgery and one pair of glasses or contacts afterward, and diagnostic (not routine) 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 threshold, used by both the Miracle-Ear Foundation and the National Hearing Aid Project (Hearing Charities of America). It varies by household size and isn't universal to every program, so always confirm directly.
What are over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids?
Since October 2022, FDA rules allow adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss to buy hearing aids directly, without a prescription, exam, or audiologist visit. They're typically far cheaper than traditional prescription hearing aids and are sold at pharmacies and online — a real option worth considering alongside charity programs, especially for less severe hearing loss.
Is EyeCare America only for seniors?
No longer. EyeCare America previously required applicants to be 65 or older, but as of 2025 it opened eligibility to uninsured and underinsured adults 18 and older who haven't seen an ophthalmologist in 3+ years and aren't in an HMO or covered by VA benefits.
Is VSP Eyes of Hope currently available?
Distribution of new Eyes of Hope gift certificates is currently paused due to high demand, according to VSP's own site. It's still worth checking their site directly since program status can change, and pursuing the other programs listed here in the meantime.
Program details (income limits, fees, current status) were checked against each program's own official site and are current as of August 2026 — but nonprofit program rules, funding availability, and pause/resume status can change without much notice, so confirm directly before relying on any of this. This site isn't affiliated with the Miracle-Ear Foundation, Hearing Charities of America, EyeCare America, VSP, or any organization listed here.