Hearing Aids for Military Retirees

FacebookXPinterestEmailEmailEmailShare
Retired VFW Member

The DoD sponsored Retiree-At-Cost Hearing Aid Program (RACHAP) is designed to help retirees purchase hearing aids through the Audiology Clinic at a special government negotiated cost. The hearing aids available through this program are the same state-of-the art technologies available to active duty service members. The program is open to all military retirees who have hearing loss or tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Dependents of military retirees are not eligible for this program.

Retirees can obtain hearing aids at significant savings by using the program. Two hearing aids can usually be purchased for less than $2,000. Exact costs are variable and subject to change at any time without notice. Contact your nearest audiology clinic for further details.

Not every medical facility is able to provide this program. Care of active duty members takes precedent at all MTFs. It is recommended that you contact the appropriate military facility before incurring significant travel expenses. Facilities may discontinue this program for any reason without notice to us.

Retirees can use any military treatment facility which will accept them; you don't need to return to your service affiliation to participate in this program.

Note: Your closest clinic could be located hundreds of miles away from your home. The costs to travel for this program need to be considered versus the availability of an audiologist in your local community to assist you with repairs, warranty repairs, re-programming, etc. See the list of participating sites.

Also, retirees may be eligible for hearing aids from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and receive hearing aids from the VA free of charge – in most cases there is no cost to the patient. The Audiology Department can provide you with more information about VA services or you may contact the VA directly at 877-222-8387 or 800-827-1000, (TDD 711).

Dependents of retirees are not eligible for hearing aid services from military treatment facilities (including RACHAP) or from TRICARE. The family member is eligible for hearing evaluations and the audiologist can provide them with more information about hearing aids or local providers.

Military retirees from active duty, Guard, and Reserve units who have hearing loss and/or tinnitus are eligible to participate in this program. Retired Commissioned Officers of the US Public Health Service are also eligible for this program at military treatment facilities, under certain conditions.

This program is not a TRICARE benefit.

Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits

Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.

Story Continues
Military Retirement