HEALTHCAREVA program

VA Hearing Aids, Repairs, and Supplies

Hearing aids for veterans getting VA care, when a VA health care professional decides they are needed, plus repairs, replacement parts, batteries, and supplies for VA-issued hearing aids from the VA Denver Logistics Center.

Hearing aids for veterans getting VA care who are in a group VA lists, including any compensable service-connected condition or a 0% hearing rating with hearing loss that affects communication

View on VA.gov

Step-by-step guide

Hearing aids with VA health care

Already getting VA careThe rule covers veterans who are otherwise receiving VA care or services.
In one of the groups VA listsThe groups are: a service-connected disability of any kind that VA rates as compensable; a former prisoner of war; a Purple Heart; benefits under 38 U.S.C. 1151; increased pension for regular aid and attendance or for being permanently housebound; a hearing problem caused by another condition VA is treating, or by its treatment; a significant functional or cognitive impairment shown by trouble with activities of daily living, not counting normal hearing changes; or hearing so impaired that hearing aids are needed to take an active part in your own medical treatment. Some groups rest on a clinical finding, so ask even if you are not sure one fits.
Or a 0 percent service-connected hearing ratingA service-connected hearing disability rated 0 percent can also lead to hearing aids, when there is an organic conductive, mixed, or sensory hearing impairment and a loss of hearing sensitivity that adds to a loss of communication ability. The hearing aids are then given only as needed for that disability.

Source: 38 CFR 17.149(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.36(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.149(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.149(c) (opens in new tab)

Which kind of hearing help is this?

Getting hearing aids
Hearing aids are part of the VA medical benefits package. VA furnishes needed hearing aids only to veterans already getting VA care, and only to the groups the rule lists. A VA health care professional decides whether hearing aids are needed.
Source: 38 CFR 17.38(a)(1)(viii) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.149(a) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.149(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(b) (opens in new tab)
Repairs and replacement parts for a VA hearing aid
If your VA-authorized hearing aid is not working properly, or you need replacement parts like tubing or cords, you can request them from the VA Denver Logistics Center on VA Form 1107.
1. A VA-authorized hearing aidThis route is for a hearing aid VA authorized. For help with a request, contact the VA Audiology and Speech Pathology Service that issued it.
2. A completed VA Form 1107The request goes on VA Form 1107, Request for Repairs and/or Accessories, mailed to the Denver Logistics Center.
Source: VA.gov: request hearing aid repairs and accessories (opens in new tab); VA Form 1107 (opens in new tab)
Batteries and supplies for a VA hearing aid
Hearing aid batteries, domes, wax guards, cleaning supplies, and drying products for VA-issued hearing aids can be ordered free of charge from the VA Denver Logistics Center when you are enrolled in VA health care, registered as a patient at a VA medical center, and your VA provider prescribed the hearing aids or the supplies.
1. Enrolled, registered, and prescribedYou are enrolled in VA health care, registered as a patient at a VA medical center, and your VA provider prescribed the hearing aids or the supplies.
Source: VA.gov: order medical supplies (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

Documents for this benefit: what each is, what it shows VA, and how VA gets it
Document	What it shows	How VA gets it	Have it?
VA health care application VA Form 10-10EZ, the application for VA health care.	Your application to VA for health care	Apply to VA online, by phone, by mail, or in person at a VA medical center or clinic.
VA decision or award letter A VA letter showing a compensable service-connected rating or a 0 percent hearing rating, benefits under 38 U.S.C. 1151, or pension paid at the aid and attendance or housebound rate.	Membership in one of the hearing aid groups	VA holds these. Veterans can download decision letters and a benefit summary letter on VA.gov.	Yes
VA treatment records The records of care you get at VA, including any condition that affects your hearing.	A hearing problem tied to a condition VA is treating, or to its treatment	VA already has these. Your VA care team reads them in VA systems.
Request for repairs and accessories VA Form 1107. For a repair, it goes in the box with the hearing aid and all the parts you normally use with it. For tubing, cords, or other replacement parts only, you do not need to send the hearing aid.	Which hearing aid needs repair, or which parts you need	Download it on VA.gov, or ask the Denver Logistics Center lab for a shipping box, which comes with the form. Mail it to the VA Denver Logistics Center.
Request for batteries and accessories VA Form 2346a, for ordering hearing aid batteries and accessories by mail. For wax guards, include the type of guard.	Which batteries or accessories you need	It comes in the box with your last order, or download it on VA.gov. You can also order by phone or online instead.

Your VA care team works from VA records, and repair and supply requests go to the VA Denver Logistics Center. BeneVets does not ask for copies of them.

Steps, in order

Free help with a hearing claim
Hearing aids from VA health care are not a claim. If you also file a disability claim for hearing loss or tinnitus, a VSO can help with that claim. Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.
Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to file a VA disability claim (opens in new tab)
New hearing aids: enroll in VA health care
Apply for VA health care with VA Form 10-10EZ, online, by phone, by mail, or in person. If you are already enrolled, skip this step.
Source: VA Form 10-10EZ (opens in new tab); VA.gov: how to apply for VA health care (opens in new tab)
New hearing aids: ask your VA care team about hearing care
Ask your VA provider about your hearing. A VA health care professional decides whether hearing aids are needed. VA.gov lists a visit to a hearing specialist as specialty care.
Source: VA.gov: current VA health care copay rates (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.38(b) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.149(a) (opens in new tab)
Repairs: fill out VA Form 1107
For a repair, plan to send the hearing aid with all the parts you normally use: a body aid with its cord and receiver, or a receiver in the canal device with both pieces. Send ear molds for repair only if fully integrated; otherwise ask your local VA Audiology and Speech Pathology Service for replacements. For tubing, cords, or other replacement parts only, you do not need to send the hearing aid.
Source: VA.gov: request hearing aid repairs and accessories (opens in new tab); VA Form 1107 (opens in new tab)
Repairs: pack it safely and mail it
Use a sturdy box with protective material, not an envelope, and leave out the presentation case, which causes a delay. For a shipping box, call the Denver Logistics Center lab at 303-273-6200 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET, or email dalc.lab@va.gov. Mail it to VA Denver Logistics Center, PO Box 25166, Denver, CO 80225-0166.
Source: VA.gov: request hearing aid repairs and accessories (opens in new tab)
Batteries and supplies: order them
Call the VA Denver Logistics Center at 877-677-8710 (TTY: 711), Monday through Friday, 8:15 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET: select 1 for the Automated Battery Reorder System if you need batteries only, or 2 for accessories. You can also order online if you ordered within the past 2 years, or mail VA Form 2346a to VA Denver Logistics Center, PO Box 25166, Denver, CO 80225-0166. For wax guards, include the type of guard.
Source: VA.gov: order medical supplies (opens in new tab); VA Form 2346a (opens in new tab)

Good to know

Copays for hearing visits

With a service-connected rating of 10 percent or higher, there is no copay for outpatient care. Former prisoners of war, Purple Heart and Medal of Honor recipients, and veterans paid compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 pay none either, and care for a service-connected condition at any rating, 0 percent included, has no copay. Otherwise, VA.gov lists a visit to a hearing specialist as specialty care, which can carry a copay.

Source: VA.gov: current VA health care copay rates (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.108(d) (opens in new tab); 38 CFR 17.108(e) (opens in new tab)

Hearing care is separate from a disability claim

Getting hearing aids from VA is not the same as a disability rating. To ask VA to rate hearing loss or tinnitus as service connected, see the disability compensation chapter.

Source: VA.gov: how to file a VA disability claim (opens in new tab)

The same rule covers eyeglasses

The regulation that covers hearing aids also covers eyeglasses and contact lenses, with the same groups. The vision care chapter covers those.

Source: 38 CFR 17.149(b) (opens in new tab)

BeneVets is informational and is not an accredited representative. Free help: an accredited VSO can work through VA benefits with you at no cost. Find an accredited VSO near you