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Guide to saving on hearing health services with your AARP® membership
Hearing aids and support may make a world of difference. But they might be hard on your budget. An AARP membership could be the answer to saving money.
Hearing well may help make everything a little better — from chatting with friends to going to the movies to enjoying lunch in a restaurant. That’s why it’s key to treat hearing loss early. But finding hearing health services can be tough sometimes. And pricey.
Take hearing aids. One study found that the average cost of a pair (with services) was about $4,700.1 And even an over-the-counter (OTC) set can cost up to about $2,000.2
Luckily, though, there are less expensive options for getting the hearing care you need. And that’s important. “Hearing loss not only affects your ability to hear but also your emotional, physical and cognitive health,” says Taylor LeMay, program manager for UnitedHealthcare Hearing. “There are big reasons to take care of your hearing.”
A great way to start? Discounts you can get through your AARP® membership and AARP® Hearing Solutions™ provided by UnitedHealthcare Hearing. So, don’t let the cost of hearing aids and support hold you back from engaging more fully in life. Find out the perks of an AARP membership.
How to hear better with an AARP membership
All you need to do is sign up for an AARP membership, if you haven’t already. It’s simple. Just go to AARP.com, get a low-cost membership and start saving on all sorts of perks, from car rentals to restaurants and more.
Once you’re an AARP member, AARP Hearing Solutions may help you spend less money. While the program is offered by UnitedHealthcare Hearing, you don’t need UnitedHealthcare insurance to use it, says LeMay.
Here are the steps to take to take full advantage of these hearing benefits.
1. Request a hearing exam
With AARP Hearing Solutions, you get a no-cost hearing exam and consultation.
You can choose from a large nationwide network of providers across the country. That includes:
- Audiologists: These are hearing care professionals who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing and treating hearing disorders.3
- Hearing aid dispensers: These are clinicians who specialize in hearing tests and fitting hearing aids.4
You can request your no-cost hearing exam and consultation with a hearing care professional in your area on the AARP Hearing Solutions website. Find a provider.
2. Discuss your hearing aid choices
Depending on the results of your hearing exam, a hearing care professional will walk you through your options during the appointment.
You’ll learn about the various types of hearing aids. Through AARP Hearing Solutions, you can choose from thousands of models of prescription hearing aids. That includes Relate®, UnitedHealthcare Hearing's private label brand.5
With so many choices, how can you decide? Well, you’ll probably get some suggestions from the hearing care professional based on the factors that matter most to you, from your budget to your lifestyle. For example, some models connect to your other devices via Bluetooth. Others have recharging abilities. Together, you’ll pick the pair of hearing aids that’s best for you.
3. Start saving
You’ll get up to 20% off hearing aids. That means you could pay about $699 to $2,299 per hearing aid. The program offers lots of different brands, styles and colors, LeMay says. And if you also have a UnitedHealthcare Medicare supplement plan, you’ll get an extra $100 off on select hearing aids.
You’ll also get a 15% discount on hearing aid accessories. These include hearing aid care kits and streaming devices to use with your TV and remote controls. Charging cases are included with all rechargeable models.
Choosing a battery-powered model? You’ll get a 3-year supply of batteries too. And a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty is included, with some hearing aids eligible for a 4-year warranty.
4. Follow through with follow-up visits
You get a 60-day trial period to see how you like your new prescription hearing aids. Also included in the price? Up to three* follow-up visits with a hearing care professional in your first year. The hearing care professional can teach you how to get the most out of your hearing aids and troubleshoot if necessary.
5. Or go the over-the-counter route
If you’re only having a little trouble hearing, you may opt for OTC hearing aids. They’re approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.6
AARP Hearing Solutions has special program pricing on OTC hearing aids. Pick from a range of high-quality OTC hearing aids that have been selected by hearing experts for their quality, performance and features.
If you go with OTC hearing aids, you’ll get customer support from the company that makes your new hearing aids to help you troubleshoot and get used to them.5
If you need hearing aids to hear better and feel more confident in the conversations you’re having, know that there are plenty of cost-cutting options with an AARP membership.
Take the time to explore everything that’s available to you. You may find you’ve improved your hearing — and health — for many years to come.
Sources
- A broad examination of health policy barriers to access and affordability of hearing treatment for Medicare beneficiaries Seminars in Hearing. Published June 15, 2022.
- 6 best over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids of 2023 National Council on Aging. Published December 22, 2023.
- What is an audiologist American Academy of Audiology. Accessed December 22, 2023.
- Audiologist and hearing aid dispenser: What is the difference? American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Accessed December 22, 2023.
- Enjoy the sounds of savings AARP Hearing Solutions. Accessed December 22, 2023.
- OTC hearing aids: What you should know U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Last updated May 3, 2023.
Information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical provider. Consult your provider prior to making changes to your lifestyle or health care routine.
AARP Hearing Solutions is available to all AARP members and does not require a health insurance plan from UnitedHealthcare. The AARP hearing program discount cannot be combined with any other discounts, promotions, coupons or hearing aid benefit plans unless noted herein. Products or services that are reimbursable by federal programs including Medicare and Medicaid are not available on a discounted or complimentary basis. AARP commercial member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details. UnitedHealthcare Hearing is provided through UnitedHealthcare, offered to existing members of certain products underwritten or provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates to provide specific hearing aid discounts. This is not an insurance nor managed care product, and fees or charges for services in excess of those defined in program materials are the member's responsibility. UnitedHealthcare does not endorse nor guarantee hearing aid products/services available through the hearing program. This program may not be available in all states or for all group sizes. Components subject to change.
Provider network size may vary by local market.
OTC hearing aid warranties, if available, will vary by device and are handled through the manufacturer. One-time professional fee may apply for prescription hearing aids.
*Hearing aids with Silver level technology receive one follow-up visit.
