Hearing Health Products Covered by Medicare OTC Benefits
Hearing Health for Seniors
Age-related hearing loss affects approximately one-third of adults over 65. While hearing aids themselves are now available over-the-counter (since 2022), many supporting hearing health products are covered by your Medicare Advantage OTC benefit.
Ear Care Basics
- Ear drops: Debrox and similar carbamide peroxide drops soften and remove earwax buildup. Excess wax is one of the most common causes of temporary hearing reduction in seniors
- Ear wax removal kits: Complete kits with drops and a bulb syringe for safe at-home wax removal. Never use cotton swabs inside the ear canal
- Ear cleaning solution: Gentle saline solutions for routine ear hygiene and maintaining clear ear canals
Hearing Aid Accessories
- Hearing aid batteries: Size 10, 13, 312, and 675 batteries for traditional hearing aids. Stock up quarterly using your OTC benefit
- Cleaning tools: Hearing aid cleaning brushes, wax guards, and drying containers to maintain your hearing aids
- Storage cases: Protective cases for your hearing aids when not in use, especially during sleep or bathing
Tinnitus Management
- White noise devices: Some OTC catalogs include small sound machines that can help mask tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
- Melatonin: Tinnitus often worsens at night. Melatonin can help with sleep disrupted by ringing ears
When to See a Doctor
If you experience sudden hearing loss, hearing loss in only one ear, or hearing loss accompanied by dizziness, see your doctor immediately. These symptoms may indicate a medical condition that requires treatment beyond OTC products. Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing exams ordered by your doctor.