Hearing Devices – Services Covered
Persons who are eligible for the Health Insurance Plan and meet the program requirements are covered for:
- the purchase and replacement cost of a hearing aid (a device used to improve hearing) of one of the following types: analogue (in-the-ear, behind-the-ear, body and eyeglass), digitally controlled analogue (in-the-ear and behind-the-ear) and digital (in-the-ear and behind-the-ear);
- the purchase and replacement cost of an assistive listening device (a device that compensates for a hearing impairment), such as a decoder, a teletypewriter, a telephone amplifier, an adapted alarm clock, or a ring detector.
Please note
Persons under age 19 and visually impaired persons may, in certain cases, receive a second hearing aid (binaural aid). This also applies to persons age 19 and over for whom improved hearing is essential to pursue recognized studies or to hold paid employment or employing providing them with a benefit, including self-employed persons, workers benefiting from support for workplace integration and job retention, and trainees developing employability skills.
Replacement
The Régie covers the cost of replacing a hearing device in the following situations:
- the person's degree of hearing loss or physical condition has changed sufficiently to render the device ineffective;
- the person's ability to operate the controls has diminished to the point where it is impossible for the person to use the device;
- the device has worn out prematurely because of excess perspiration acidity, excess toxic vapours or excess dust pollution;
- the device is damaged accidentally;
- during the first six years of use,
- the cost of a single repair exceeds 70% of the original purchase cost;
- after six years of use,
- the sum of the repair costs incurred from the seventh year exceeds 60% of the original purchase cost;
- the device no longer operates in normal conditions.
Important
The cost of replacing a hearing device that has been lost, stolen, destroyed or used negligently must be paid by the user. This cost may be covered by private supplemental insurance. For information, contact your insurer.
Repair
Persons eligible for the program are covered for the cost of repairing their hearing devices, including hearing devices they own themselves (devices not paid for by the Régie), on the condition that the devices are covered in accordance with the hearing devices regulation. However, the Régie does not cover the cost of repairs made necessary by negligent or improper use.
Batteries
The cost of batteries is included in the price paid by the Régie for the purchase or replacement of a hearing device. The cost of replacement batteries, however, must be paid by the user, as must the cost of cleaning, checking, testing, etc.
Hearing aids are guaranteed for at least two years, and assistive listening devices for at least one year. For details, consult your hearing aid acoustician or your distributor of assistive listening devices.
For details about the products and services covered by the Régie and about the amounts the Régie pays, refer to the Tariff for insured hearing aids and related services.
