If you have an HSA or FSA sitting there with money in it, hearing aids are one of the better ways to actually use it. Both accounts cover them, along with the batteries, repairs, custom earmolds, and cleaning supplies that go with them, and using pre-tax dollars for a purchase this size makes a real difference.
Yes, hearing aids qualify
The IRS lists hearing aids explicitly as a qualified medical expense in Publication 502, alongside eyeglasses and dental care. That means the full purchase price of your hearing aids, plus the batteries, repairs, and maintenance needed to keep them running, can be paid for or reimbursed with HSA or FSA funds without paying tax on that money first.
This applies whether your hearing aids are traditional prescription devices fit through a professional evaluation, or an over-the-counter option, since both categories are recognized. What matters is that the purchase is for a hearing aid itself, not just anything hearing-related in the abstract.
What specifically is covered
- The hearing aids themselves, prescription or over-the-counter
- Batteries and rechargeable charging accessories
- Repairs and routine maintenance
- Custom earmolds made for your hearing aids
- The hearing evaluation and fitting appointment itself, since it is part of obtaining the device
- Cleaning supplies and drying containers used to maintain the devices
We accept HSA and FSA cards directly at the time of your visit here in Lawrenceville, the same way you would use any other payment method. There is no separate reimbursement process to navigate on our end.
HSA and FSA are not quite the same thing
Both accounts let you set aside pre-tax money for medical expenses, but the rules that govern them are different, and the difference matters for how you plan a hearing aid purchase.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
An HSA requires you to be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan, and unlike an FSA, unused funds roll over year to year rather than expiring. That makes an HSA a genuinely useful way to save toward hearing aids over time if you know a purchase is coming, since the money never disappears at the end of the year the way FSA funds often do. Contributions, growth, and qualified withdrawals are all tax-free.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
An FSA is employer-sponsored and generally must be spent within the plan year, though some employers offer either a grace period or a limited carryover of unused funds into the next year, depending on how the plan is structured. If you have FSA money that would otherwise be lost at the end of your plan year, hearing aids are one of the more practical ways to use it before it expires, since the purchase amount is often large enough to use up a meaningful FSA balance in one transaction.
One exception worth knowing: a Limited-Purpose FSA, typically paired with an HSA and restricted to dental and vision expenses only, generally does not cover hearing aids the way a standard FSA does. If you are not sure which type you have, your plan administrator can confirm it in a few minutes.
Before you use HSA or FSA funds here
- Check your current balance and, for FSA funds, your plan year deadline before scheduling.
- Bring your HSA or FSA card to your appointment; we accept it directly like any other card.
- Keep the itemized receipt from your visit, since your plan administrator may ask for documentation.
- If you are combining HSA/FSA funds with financing, mention that when discussing your package pricing so we can structure the payment correctly.
Using HSA or FSA alongside financing
Many patients use HSA or FSA funds to cover part of a purchase and financing through CareCredit, Cherry, or HealthiPlan for the remainder. There is nothing unusual about combining the two, and we can walk through how that split works once you know your available balance and the technology level that fits your hearing.
Frequently asked questions
Are hearing aids really covered by HSA and FSA?
Yes. The IRS explicitly lists hearing aids, along with their batteries, repairs, and maintenance, as qualified medical expenses under Publication 502.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds for over-the-counter hearing aids too?
Yes, both prescription and over-the-counter hearing aids qualify, since both are recognized as hearing aids for tax purposes.
Do you accept HSA and FSA cards directly?
Yes. We accept HSA and FSA cards at the time of your visit the same way we accept any other card.
What happens to unused FSA money if I do not spend it?
Most standard FSA plans require funds to be used within the plan year, though some employers allow a grace period or limited carryover. Check with your plan administrator on your specific deadline.
Does a Limited-Purpose FSA cover hearing aids?
Generally, no. A Limited-Purpose FSA is typically restricted to dental and vision expenses. A standard FSA or an HSA is what covers hearing aids.
Can I use HSA or FSA funds for custom earmolds or repairs later?
Yes. Custom earmolds, repairs, and routine maintenance are all covered as part of the hearing aid expense category, not just the initial device purchase.
Bring your HSA or FSA card to your visit
Hearing Aid Factory Outlet is at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway in Lawrenceville, open seven days a week, serving patients throughout Gwinnett County and Metro Atlanta. Schedule a hearing evaluation or call (404) 786-6416.