Massachusetts: Getting a hearing test & buying hearing aids

The home of the American Revolution, Massachusetts has a case for America’s most storied state. But how does it fare when it comes to audiology?

How many test centers are in Massachusetts?

As a northeastern state, Massachusetts is naturally smaller than most US states. Despite this, the population falls just shy of 7 million, which makes it one of the more populous states.

There are approximately 204 audiologists in the state of Massachusetts – a very respectable amount for such a geographically small state.

Cities with the best hearing healthcare

We’ve looked at the largest cities in Massachusetts to understand how covered the residents are, comparing the population size with the number of hearing aid centers and audiologists based there.

Source: https://www.usahearingcenters.com/search-hearing-loss-by-city.html
Source: http://worldpopulationreview.com/states/massachusetts-population/cities/

As you can see, all these cities are packed with audiologists, so you won’t be in any kind of tough spot when you’re looking for a place to assess your hearing ability.

Even though Boston comes out with the lowest number of hearing centers per 100,000 of the population at 8.6, it’s not the end of the world. Boston is nearby other areas with very high ratios – such as Cambridge at 47 – so you’ll be able to get to an audiologist without much fuss.

What government support do I have?

Massachusetts takes good care of its citizens in need – their Medicaid options are top of the line. Hearing aids, repairs, and replacements are all covered extensively by Medicaid.

When it comes to adults, there is no mandatory coverage set by the state of Massachusetts, so check your insurance policy to assess your level of coverage.

What support do my children have?

If you’re under the age of 21, or are looking for your child’s hearing options, you’ll be happy to hear that the ACA is well equipped to cover hearing aids for anyone under the age of 21.

It offers one $2,000 hearing aid every three years – with supplies, fittings, and adjustments thrown in for free.

What doctoral programs are available in Massachusetts?

If you’re looking to study audiology in Massachusetts, you have a couple of doctoral programs that can get you there. These are:

• Northeastern University
• University of Massachusetts Amherst

Support for military veterans

Hearing healthcare support for veterans is nationwide, with 170 centers across the country and three in Massachusetts you’ll be able to find coverage.

Our guide on VA hearing aids goes into more detail about the support you have available.

How can I get my hearing tested?

A hearing test is the first step towards better hearing health, and you can get tested for free in your local area. You'll see a qualified hearing consultant who will run a series of tests to determine if you have any hearing loss, and if you do, show you the best options moving forward.

Read our guide on what to expect from a hearing test to find out more details, know what to bring with you and how long a hearing test might take.

Overall

For its size, Massachusetts is a fine example of a state with good audiological care. There are hundreds of audiologists, great government coverage, and lots of tasty lobsters. Eating lobster doesn’t have any positive effect on the ears that we know of, but it can’t hurt to try!