Summary : If you or a parent in Alberta needs hearing aids, the provincial Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL) program can help pay for them, but not for everyone, and not for every purchase. Here's how AADL works for hearing aids, who qualifies, what you'll actually pay, and when an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid outside AADL may make more sense.
Key takeaways
- AADL helps pay for hearing aids, but most people still pay a share: 25% of the approved cost, to a maximum of $500 per individual or family per benefit year (July 1 to June 30). Low-income Albertans are exempt.
- Coverage depends on age and income. Seniors 65+ with low income can get funding toward 2 hearing aids every 5 years; seniors with higher income, toward 1 hearing aid or a personal listening device.
- You must go through an approved vendor and be assessed first. AADL doesn't reimburse a purchase made before authorization, including an OTC hearing aid you buy on your own.
What is AADL, and does it cover hearing aids?
Yes. Alberta Aids to Daily Living is a provincial program that helps Albertans with a long-term disability, chronic illness or terminal illness get medical equipment and supplies, including hearing aids. To qualify, you must be an Alberta resident with a valid Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan card, and your need must last 6 months or longer (Government of Alberta).
You may not be eligible through AADL if comparable benefits are available from another source, such as Veterans Affairs Canada (for service-related conditions), the Workers' Compensation Board, Non-Insured Health Benefits for people with treaty status, or a private insurance plan.
Who qualifies for AADL hearing aid funding?
AADL hearing aid benefits depend on your age, income and situation (Government of Alberta):
| Who | AADL hearing aid benefit |
|---|---|
| Under 18, with documented hearing loss | Funding toward 2 hearing aids once every 5 years |
| 18 to 24, in full-time post-secondary studies | Funding toward 2 hearing aids once every 5 years |
| 18 to 64, with low income | Funding toward 2 hearing aids or a personal listening device once every 5 years |
| 65+, with low income (you or your spouse or adult dependent) | Funding toward 2 hearing aids or a personal listening device once every 5 years |
| 65+, with higher income | Funding toward 1 hearing aid or a personal listening device once every 5 years |
| 18 to 64, not low income and not a student | Not listed among AADL hearing aid benefits |
How much do hearing aids cost with AADL?
AADL clients pay 25% of the benefit cost, up to a maximum of $500 per individual or family per benefit year. The benefit year runs from July 1 to June 30 (Government of Alberta). If you choose an upgraded hearing aid, you pay the extra cost yourself, and that amount doesn't count toward the $500 maximum.
Here's how the cost-share works, using hypothetical approved costs:
| Hypothetical AADL-approved cost | Your 25% share | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| $1,200 | $300 | $300 |
| $2,000 | $500 | $500 (maximum reached) |
| $3,000 | $750 | $500 (capped at the yearly maximum) |
These figures illustrate the 25% rule only. AADL sets the approved cost of each benefit, and other AADL benefits in the same benefit year count toward the same $500 maximum.
Who doesn't pay the cost-share?
You may be exempt from the cost-share if your taxable income (line 26000 of your most recent tax return) is at or below:
- $20,970 for a single person;
- $33,240 for a family with no children;
- $39,250 for a family with children.
People receiving AISH or Income Support can contact AADL to check their eligibility. Temporary exemptions may also be available after a recent drop in income or for extraordinary disability-related expenses.
Does Alberta pay for hearing aids for seniors?
Partly. Seniors 65 and older with documented hearing loss can get AADL funding toward hearing aids every 5 years: 2 hearing aids if they have low income, or 1 hearing aid or a personal listening device if their income is higher. Seniors and their adult dependents who need hearing aids can also apply for a cost-share exemption with a separate form (AADL2214). Check with AADL for the exemption criteria before you start.
How to get hearing aids through AADL, step by step
- Choose an AADL-approved hearing aid vendor. For hearing aids, the approved vendor completes the assessment.
- Get a complete hearing assessment by the vendor or an Alberta Health Services audiologist.
- Let the vendor submit the request for AADL-approved hearing aids. Don't buy anything before it's authorized: AADL doesn't reimburse earlier purchases.
- Try the hearing aids for at least 28 days. You sign the validation certificate only if you're satisfied.
- Plan for repairs and replacement. AADL funds repairs once a year per registered device, and replacement after 5 years when repair isn't cost-effective, or sooner if your hearing changes.
The OTC option outside AADL
Not everyone qualifies for AADL, and some people prefer not to wait for an assessment and vendor visits. In Alberta, OTC hearing aids are permitted for sale to adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss, without a prescription. Read more about the OTC rules in Alberta.
An OTC hearing aid you buy on your own isn't an AADL purchase, so AADL won't fund it. Here's when each route usually makes sense:
- AADL is usually the better route if you qualify for 2 funded hearing aids, are exempt from the cost-share, or have more than moderate or complex hearing loss.
- OTC can make more sense if you're 18 to 64 and don't qualify for AADL, if you're a senior with higher income who needs 2 hearing aids, or if you live far from a vendor.
To compare the two models in more detail, see our guide to OTC vs. clinic hearing aids, or start with over-the-counter hearing aids explained. Clinic prices vary across the province, and our national price guide shows typical costs across Canada.
Warbler Series 7: an OTC option for Albertans
Warbler Hearing was founded by hearing clinicians JB and Julia Robillard and is Canadian-owned. Series 7 is a Health Canada-licensed hearing aid for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss, at $999 per pair (regular price), with Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable batteries and lifetime remote support. Self-fit it with the Warbler Clarity app, or send us your audiogram and our hearing professionals will program it to your hearing. It ships anywhere in Alberta, from Calgary and Edmonton to Red Deer and Lethbridge.
Black Friday at Warbler Hearing: our biggest savings of the year, until November 30
Regular price: $999 per pair. Sign up to unlock our exclusive Black Friday offer, sent straight to your inbox.
Unlock the Black Friday offer on Warbler Series 7 for Alberta
Offer for subscribers, valid until November 30, 2026, while supplies last. Cannot be combined with other promotions, discounts or promo codes. Series 7 is intended for adults 18+ with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. The 45-day trial is subject to our return policy. Series 7 is not an AADL benefit.
Frequently asked questions
How much do AADL hearing aids cost?
AADL clients pay 25% of the approved cost of their benefits, up to $500 per individual or family per benefit year (July 1 to June 30). Low-income Albertans and income assistance recipients don't pay the cost-share. Upgrades are extra.
Does Alberta pay for hearing aids for seniors?
Partly. Through AADL, seniors 65+ with low income can get funding toward 2 hearing aids every 5 years, and seniors with higher income toward 1 hearing aid or a personal listening device. Seniors can also apply for a cost-share exemption.
How much are hearing aids in Alberta without AADL?
Prices vary by clinic and technology level, and a clinic pair often costs several thousand dollars. OTC hearing aids cost less: Warbler Series 7 is $999 per pair at regular price.
Does AADL cover OTC hearing aids?
No, not as an OTC purchase. AADL funds AADL-approved hearing aids from approved vendors after a hearing assessment and authorization. It doesn't reimburse hearing aids bought on your own.
Who qualifies for AADL hearing aids?
Albertans with a valid health card and documented long-term hearing loss who fit one of AADL's groups: under 18, full-time students aged 18 to 24, low-income adults aged 18 to 64, and seniors 65+.
The bottom line
AADL can make hearing aids much more affordable if you qualify, especially for seniors and low-income Albertans. If you don't qualify, or need only a straightforward solution for mild to moderate hearing loss, an OTC hearing aid can cost less overall. Not sure which route fits you or your parent? Book a free consultation with our hearing professionals.
Sources
- Government of Alberta: AADL eligibility and application for benefits
- Government of Alberta: AADL, what is covered (hearing benefits)
- Government of Alberta: AADL cost-sharing of benefits
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OTC Hearing Aids in Alberta: What’s Allowed in 2026