Government Funding and Support Programs for Hearing Aids in Canada

Alberta — AADL Hearing Aid Funding

The Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) program helps Alberta residents with the cost of hearing aids and related services. AADL works as a cost-share program, where clients pay 25% of the approved cost, up to a maximum of $500 per person or family each benefit year (July 1 – June 30). If you have a low income or receive income or disability assistance, you may qualify for a cost-share exemption and pay nothing toward approved benefits.

To qualify, you must:

• Be an Alberta resident with a valid Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan card
• Have a long-term disability, chronic illness, or terminal illness lasting six months or more
• Complete a hearing assessment with an AADL-authorized audiologist or hearing professional, who will determine eligibility.

How it works:

• After your assessment, the audiologist will recommend an eligible device.
• You’ll have a 28-day trial period to make sure the hearing aid works for you (Alberta AADL Hearing Aid Policy PDF).
• Once confirmed, the vendor bills AADL for the approved portion, and you pay your share (unless exempt).

What’s covered:

British Columbia — Provincial & Supplemental Hearing Aid Support

In British Columbia, hearing aids are not covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP). However, there are several targeted programs and supports that may help, especially for children, low-income households, or those with employment barriers.

Child / Youth Programs

• BC Early Hearing Program (BCEHP) provides free hearing aids, earmolds, and batteries (if appropriate) for infants and young children diagnosed with hearing loss.
• Healthy Kids Program covers hearing instrument costs (hearing aids, bone-anchored aids, cochlear implants, repairs) for children up to 19 in low-income families. Preauthorization by the audiologist/hearing provider is required.

Adult / Working-Age Support

• WorkBC Assistive Technology / Employment-related supports allow eligible individuals to access hearing or communication devices as part of removing workplace barriers.
• MSDPR / Income or Disability Assistance: If you receive income or disability assistance via the provincial government, you may be eligible to have hearing device costs covered under those supports.

First Nations / Indigenous Programs & Charitable Supports

• NIHB (Non-Insured Health Benefits) covers hearing aids and related services for eligible First Nations and Inuit clients, supplementing provincial supports.
• Wavefront Centre — Lend an Ear: This program offers a permanent loan of a hearing aid, earmold, and up to one year of repair service for low-income individuals who do not qualify for other funding.

Manitoba — Seniors Hearing Aid Grant Program

Manitoba’s Seniors Hearing Aid Program offers eligible seniors aged 65 and over up to $2,000 toward the purchase of hearing aids, including associated assessment and fitting costs.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a resident of Manitoba and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Be age 65+
• Have a household net income less than $80,000 in the previous year.
• Have a hearing prescription from a certified, licensed hearing aid dealer in Manitoba.

Benefit Limits / Restrictions:

• Only one claim per person every 5 years.
• Batteries, device repairs, earmold replacements, loss/damage replacement are not covered between claims.
• Approved hearing aid purchases must occur within 6 months of approval.

How to Apply / Process:

1. Complete the Manitoba Seniors Hearing Aid Program Application Form along with Proof of Income and a recent hearing assessment from a licensed dealer.
2. Submit all documents via mail, fax, or in person — the address and contact details are included on the form.
3. If approved, you’ll receive an approval letter to bring to your hearing aid dealer, who will apply the grant at the time of purchase. The dealer then submits the claim to the program.

Visit Manitoba government website for more information.

New Brunswick Programs

Health Services Hearing Aid Program: This program helps with coverage for hearing aids when other agencies or private health insurance plans don't cover it. Visit the program website for more information.

Training and Employment Support Services (TESS): Financial assistance may be available through TESS for eligible individuals.

Work Insurance Coverage: Many employer benefit plans can contribute to covering a portion of the cost of hearing aids.

Newfoundland & Labrador — Provincial Hearing Aid Funding (PHAP & Related Supports)

In Newfoundland and Labrador, financial help for hearing aids is available through the Provincial Hearing Aid Program (PHAP) for residents who meet income eligibility criteria. The program provides full funding (100%) for hearing aids for low-income individuals holding a valid Medical Care Plan (MCP).

Eligibility & Application

• Applicants undergo a financial assessment considering income, expenses, and savings
• Individuals on Income Support may access hearing aids under the program via the Audiology Department. Learn more here.

Northwest Territories — Hearing Aids under Extended Health Benefits

In the Northwest Territories, hearing aids are included under the Medical Supplies and Equipment category of Extended Health Benefits (EHB) programs, with cost-sharing and prior approval requirements. This is confirmed in territorial policy and program documents.

• Seniors & other EHB streams: EHB program streams (such as the Specified Disease Conditions Program) list audiology equipment, including hearing aids, among eligible benefits. Coverage typically follows EHB rules for co-payment/income testing and prior approval.
• Métis Health Benefits: The Métis Health Benefits program explicitly covers audiology equipment (e.g., hearing aids) for eligible residents.

For general EHB information, see the GNWT overview; note it summarizes categories but doesn’t list every item.

Nova Scotia Programs

Department of Community Services: If you receive income assistance from the Department of Community Services due to a disability, you might qualify for their Workplace Support Program.

Special Needs Assistance: For those with special needs, the Employment Support & Income Assistance program may help purchase a hearing aid.

Nova Scotia stands out among provinces in that it has legislation in place to provide financial support for hearing aids to eligible seniors. Under the Affordable Hearing Aids for Seniors Act, residents aged 65 or older with a permanent hearing loss and lower household income may have 75% of their hearing aid costs covered, up to $500 per device, once every five years.

• The income thresholds cited are approximately: $21,000 or less for a household, or $18,000 or less for a single person.
• In addition, the Dalhousie Hearing Aid Assistance Program (DHAAP) is referenced as a program that provides donated hearing aids to seniors who lack other financial support resources.

Nunavut — Hearing Aids under Extended Health Benefits

In Nunavut, hearing aids are covered under the Extended Health Benefits (EHB) program for eligible residents, with additional provisions for seniors.

• Seniors’ coverage: According to the Nunavut Seniors’ Information Handbook, qualifying seniors receive the full cost of one set of hearing aids, typically every five years.
• The EHB policy program covers hearing aid performance checks, adjustments, and repairs, unless the need results from misuse. Coverage usually requires prior approval, and private or employer insurance must be used first.
• Replacement: Hearing aids are generally replaced once every five years, unless a medical assessment justifies earlier replacement.

Ontario — Assistive Devices Program (ADP) for Hearing Aids

In Ontario, the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) helps eligible residents with long-term physical disabilities cover part of the cost of hearing aids.

How it works & coverage details:

• The program covers 75% of the cost of eligible hearing aids, up to a maximum of $500 per device.
• Vendors often bill ADP directly, so the client pays only the portion not covered (i.e., 25%).
• Not all devices or circumstances qualify: ADP excludes equipment already funded by programs such as the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board or certain veterans’ programs.
• To apply, you must complete the Application for Funding Hearing Devices form and submit it for eligibility review.

Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP): ODSP offers financial aid for hearing aids and related devices. To access this support, individuals must contact their local ODSP office and gain approval before purchasing. Visit ODSP for more information.

Prince Edward Island — Seniors Hearing Aid Rebate Program

In PEI, the Seniors Hearing Aid Rebate Program helps eligible older adults cover the cost of hearing aids. Under this program, seniors aged 65 or older can receive a rebate of up to $6,000 per individual, once every five years, to assist with hearing aid expenses.

Eligibility & Conditions

• A verified audiological assessment by a certified audiologist (in consultation with a physician or ENT) is required.
• Applicants must submit household income and asset documentation (e.g., from Line 23600 of the latest tax return).
• The average hearing loss (at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000 Hz) must be 50 dB or greater.
• The maximum device cost eligible under the program is $3,000 per hearing aid.
• For those with income at or below the Market Basket Measure thresholds (currently $22,253 for individuals or $34,470 for couples), the program may cover the full cost of hearing aids.
• For those whose income is above MBM, the rebate is provided on a sliding scale, helping to subsidize part of the cost.

Saskatchewan — Hearing Services and Supplementary Health Benefits

In Saskatchewan, hearing aid coverage is available to some residents through the Supplementary Health Benefits program.

• The Ministry of Health lists hearing tests and hearing aids as benefits for individuals with Supplementary Health coverage, including children and adults, as well as Family Health Benefits for children.
• Adults with Supplementary Health Benefits may qualify for hearing aids, repairs, and replacements through public or private providers, but prior approval is required.
• For clients over age 20, replacement of a lost or broken hearing aid is subject to a 30% co-payment. Learn more here

Specialized Programs

• Saskatchewan also offers a Cochlear Implant Processor Replacement Program, allowing eligible residents to replace external processors with a $840 co-payment, typically every 5–7 years or when technology becomes obsolete.

Yukon — Limited Support for Seniors and Children

In Yukon, hearing aid coverage is limited and applies only to specific groups:

• Seniors (65+): Under the Yukon Health Care Insurance Plan (Pharmacare), eligible seniors can receive up to $600 toward the cost of one hearing aid.
• Children under 16: Through the Chronic Disease and Disability Benefits program, children with permanent hearing loss may qualify for assistance with the purchase and repair of hearing aids. Applications must be submitted before purchase.
• Adults (under 65): The program does not cover hearing aids for adults. The official policy states: “Sensory impairment is not covered, except in the case of significant hearing loss in a child under 16."