Find an online loan for purchasing hearing aids and improve your quality of life
02.05.2025
3
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Good hearing is part of quality of life, but high-quality hearing aids come at a price. Statutory health insurance covers only a fraction of the costs, which leaves many facing a financial hurdle. Discover how a suitable online loan can help you bridge this gap and secure the best possible hearing care.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Modern hearing aids can cost up to €3,000 per ear, while the health insurance fund often covers only around €1,500 for both ears.
An online consumer loan is often more flexible and cheaper than paying in instalments at the hearing care provider, especially for terms over 12 months.
The out-of-pocket costs for hearing aids can be claimed as exceptional expenses for tax purposes, which reduces the financial burden.
Cost analysis: What modern hearing aids cost
Hearing aid prices vary widely, ranging from basic models starting at 500 euros to premium devices costing over 3,000 euros per ear. Technologically advanced models with Bluetooth or rechargeable battery technology offer significantly greater everyday comfort. Statutory health insurance funds subsidise the purchase in cases of medical necessity with a fixed amount of up to 1,700 euros for both ears. The remaining out-of-pocket contribution can therefore quickly amount to several thousand euros. Suitable hearing aid insurance can also protect against future repair costs. This funding gap makes alternative financing essential for many.
Health insurance subsidy: You can expect this basic benefit
The requirement for the subsidy is an ear specialist prescription certifying hearing loss of at least 30 decibels in the better ear. The statutory health insurers (GKV) then cover a fixed amount, which varies slightly depending on the insurer, but is often around €785 per device. For bilateral provision, the subsidy including service fees can rise to over €1,500. This benefit, however, only covers standard provision. For a life without acoustic compromises, a discreet medical loan is often the bridge to higher-quality technology. The next step is therefore to close the remaining funding gap.
Closing the funding gap: comparing loan options
To cover the out-of-pocket contribution, there are two common ways: instalment payments through the audiologist or an online consumer loan. Many audiologists offer zero-per-cent financing for terms of up to twelve months. However, for longer terms of up to 48 months, interest applies, which makes comparison worthwhile. An unsecured loan from an online bank often offers more flexibility and potentially better terms. With an out-of-pocket contribution of EUR 2,500, even a few percentage points on the interest rate can mean savings of more than EUR 100 over the term. A precise calculation of your financial options is crucial here.
Finding an online loan for hearing aids: a step-by-step guide
Finding the right loan online for the purchase of hearing aids requires a systematic comparison. Look out for four key criteria to identify the best offer.
Effective annual interest rate: This figure includes all costs and is the most important comparison metric, often between three and nine per cent.
Term: Choose a term that results in low instalments, for example 48 or 60 months.
Special repayments: Free special repayments enable faster repayment without additional costs.
Digital processing: A fully digital process speeds up disbursement considerably.
A clean online household budget calculation is the basis for quick loan approval. A loan comparison via portals can give you an overview in less than 30 minutes. This is particularly relevant for specific target groups such as pensioners.
Special case for retirees: securing financing in retirement
Many banks have age limits that make it difficult to grant loans to retirees, often set at 75 years of age by the end of the term. Nevertheless, a loan for retirees is possible with many providers, as long as regular and sufficient income from the pension can be demonstrated. A stable pension of, for example, €1,500 and low fixed costs significantly improve the chances. The important thing is to choose a provider without a strict age limit and, if necessary, to prefer a shorter term. Loan protection insurance is usually not required and only adds unnecessary costs. In addition to financing, there is another way to reduce the financial burden.
Making use of tax benefits: hearing aids as an exceptional expense
You can claim the costs of your hearing aid that remain after deducting the statutory health insurance subsidy as extraordinary expenses on your tax return. This applies to your personal contribution as well as to expenses for batteries and repairs. The tax office takes these costs into account once they exceed an individually reasonable threshold for financial burden. This threshold depends on your income and marital status and is usually between one and seven per cent of taxable income. Be sure to keep the doctor’s prescription and all invoices so that you can submit them to the tax office. A similar procedure is also possible for other aids. This noticeably reduces the financial burden by the end of the year.
Good hearing care should not be a matter of money. By combining a health insurance subsidy, a flexible online loan and tax advantages, purchasing high-quality hearing aids becomes achievable for everyone. Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific suggestions for improvement.
More useful links
The GKV-Spitzenverband provides detailed fixed reimbursement rates for hearing aids (as of 20/12/2021).
General information on fixed reimbursement rates for aids can be found on the website of the GKV-Spitzenverband.
Statista provides statistics on the provision of hearing aids in Germany and on the number of people with hearing loss.
The Schwerhörigen-Netz provides comprehensive statistics on the topic of hearing loss.
The Federal Ministry of Health provides general information about aids and their significance.
Information on the Therapeutic and Medical Aids Provision Act (HHVG) can be found on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.
The Ärztezeitung reports on a ruling by the Federal Social Court that makes it easier to claim higher-quality hearing aids.
Rehadat-Statistik provides detailed data and statistics on hearing impairment in Germany.
FAQ
What hearing aid costs can I deduct from my taxes?
You can deduct the entire co-payment, after deducting the health insurance subsidy, as an exceptional expense, as well as costs for repairs and batteries. A doctor's prescription is required, and your reasonable burden threshold must be exceeded.
Is financing from the audiologist always the best choice?
Not necessarily. While zero-per-cent financing for short terms (e.g. 12 months) is attractive, for longer terms the interest rates can be higher than with an independent online loan. A comparison is therefore always advisable.
Can I also get a loan for hearing aids as a pensioner?
Yes, many banks grant loans to pensioners if the pension is sufficient as a stable income to cover the monthly instalments. Look for providers without a strict upper age limit.
How quickly can an online loan for hearing aids be disbursed?
With a fully digital application process, including video identification and a digital signature, the money can often be in your account within 24 to 48 hours.
What is the difference between the subsidy from statutory and private health insurance?
Statutory health insurers pay a fixed amount (fixed contribution). Private health insurers reimburse the costs depending on the agreed tariff, which often means significantly higher or even full cost coverage.
Do I have to specify a purpose for the loan?
No, as a rule you apply for a small personal loan for unrestricted use. You do not have to explicitly tell the bank that you will use the money for a hearing aid.
