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How Much Does an Audiologist Visit Cost? What to Expect for a Hearing Evaluation

The cost of a comprehensive hearing evaluation with an audiologist varies by setting, location, and what the evaluation includes. Medicare covers diagnostic hearing tests ordered by a physician; since January 2023, patients can access an audiologist once per year without a physician order. About 15% of US adults report some trouble hearing, rising to nearly half of adults over 75. Over-the-counter hearing aids became available in 2022 for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.

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Who needs a hearing evaluation, and how common is hearing loss?

Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic conditions in the United States. Approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million people) ages 18 and over report some trouble hearing; prevalence rises sharply with age, affecting about one in three people between 65 and 74, and nearly half of those over 75 1.

A comprehensive audiology evaluation is appropriate when you notice difficulty understanding speech (especially in noisy environments), asking others to repeat themselves, ringing or buzzing in the ears, or when someone close to you has raised concerns about your hearing.

What does a comprehensive hearing evaluation include?

A full diagnostic audiology appointment typically includes:

  • Pure-tone audiometry — tones played through headphones to measure the softest sounds you can hear across a range of pitches; results plotted on an audiogram
  • Speech audiometry — tests how well you understand spoken words, not just detect tones
  • Tympanometry — checks how well the eardrum and middle ear are functioning

Most appointments take 45 to 90 minutes. The audiologist reviews the results, describes any hearing loss by type and degree, and recommends next steps. Basic screenings — which confirm only whether hearing falls within a normal range — are shorter, less detailed, and often available at lower or no cost at retail locations.

How does Medicare cover audiology visits?

Medicare Part B covers diagnostic audiology tests as 'other diagnostic tests' under the Physician Fee Schedule 2. Traditionally, coverage required a physician referral; for dates of service on or after January 1, 2023, CMS created an exception allowing patients to directly access an audiologist once every 12 months for certain diagnostic tests without a physician order 2.

What Medicare does not cover: Hearing aids, hearing aid fittings, and counseling on hearing test results for the purpose of fitting a hearing aid. Some Medicare Advantage plans add hearing benefits beyond traditional Medicare — check your specific plan.

For commercial insurance, many plans cover diagnostic audiology when a physician orders it. Call your member-services number before scheduling.

What about over-the-counter hearing aids?

In October 2022, the FDA established a category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for adults 18 and older with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss 3. These devices can be purchased directly from stores or online without a prescription, medical exam, or audiologist fitting.

OTC hearing aids are significantly less expensive than traditional prescription devices. A diagnostic evaluation is still helpful to know whether your degree of loss falls within the range where OTC devices are appropriate — moderate hearing loss is the upper boundary.

What drives the price up or down, and where can I find lower-cost care?

Setting: Hospital-based audiology programs bill more than independent private practices. Big-box retailers such as Costco employ licensed audiologists and typically charge substantially less for evaluations. University audiology training clinics often offer reduced fees.

Geographic location: Urban and coastal markets tend to charge more.

Evaluation type: An initial comprehensive evaluation costs more than a follow-up.

Lower-cost options: - Big-box retail audiologists (Costco, Walmart) offer licensed services at lower prices - University audiology clinics offer reduced-fee evaluations supervised by clinical faculty - Community health centers may offer audiology on a sliding-fee scale

The American Academy of Audiology (audiology.org) has a provider finder tool.

Common questions

Does Medicare cover hearing tests?

Medicare Part B covers diagnostic hearing and balance exams ordered by a physician to diagnose a medical problem, and since January 2023 allows one direct-access diagnostic visit per year without a physician order. Medicare does not cover routine hearing exams for fitting hearing aids, and it does not cover hearing aids. Some Medicare Advantage plans add hearing benefits.

Are over-the-counter hearing aids a real option?

For adults 18 and older with mild to moderate hearing loss, yes. The FDA established an OTC hearing aid category in 2022, allowing purchase without a prescription or audiologist fitting. These are significantly less expensive than prescription aids. A diagnostic evaluation helps confirm whether OTC devices are appropriate for your level of loss.

Do I need a referral from my doctor to see an audiologist?

For Medicare, a physician referral is no longer required for one diagnostic visit per year (effective January 2023). For commercial insurance, many plans still require a physician referral. Call your insurer to confirm before scheduling.

Does Gale provide audiology services?

No. Gale does not offer audiology care. If you have hearing concerns, contact an audiologist or ask your primary care clinician for a referral. If you have sudden hearing loss, seek same-day medical care — not a routine audiology appointment.

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Gale can match you with a licensed clinician for a visit.

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When hearing loss needs urgent medical attention — not a routine audiology appointment

  • —Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears developing over hours to a day or two — treat as a time-sensitive medical emergency
  • —Hearing loss after a head injury
  • —Hearing loss with facial weakness or severe dizziness
  • —Pulsing or rushing sound in one ear (pulsatile tinnitus) — warrants prompt medical evaluation

Sudden hearing loss that develops over hours or a day or two is a medical emergency. Early treatment may prevent permanent loss. Go to an urgent care or emergency department, or contact your primary care clinician for a same-day appointment — do not wait for an audiology referral.

This article is general health education and is not a medical diagnosis or personalized cost estimate. Prices change and vary widely by region and provider. Gale does not provide audiology services. Verify coverage with your insurance plan and contact local providers for current pricing.

References

  1. 1.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) (2024). Hearing Loss Increases With Age. NIDCD Health Statistics. link ✓Approximately 15% of US adults (37.5 million) report trouble hearing; prevalence rises to ~one in three between ages 65–74 and nearly half over age 75
  2. 2.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (2023). Audiology Services. CMS Physician Fee Schedule. link ✓Medicare Part B covers diagnostic audiology as other diagnostic tests; since January 2023 allows one direct-access visit per year without physician order; does not cover hearing aids or hearing aid fittings
  3. 3.U.S. Food and Drug Administration (2022). Hearing Aids | How to Get Hearing Aids. FDA Medical Devices. link ✓FDA established OTC hearing aid category in October 2022 for adults 18+ with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, available without prescription or audiologist fitting

3 sources, numbered by first appearance. General health information, not medical advice — synthetic demonstration content.