If you’re a Central Government employee or pensioner dealing with hearing loss, CGHS does not sell or supply hearing aids directly — instead, it reimburses you after you buy an approved digital hearing aid from a provider like ClearSound. This guide explains exactly who qualifies, how much you get back, and the paperwork ClearSound provides to make your claim smooth.
What Is CGHS Hearing Aid Reimbursement?
The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) is a health benefits program for central government employees, pensioners, and their dependents that reimburses the cost of approved digital hearing aids after purchase, rather than supplying the device itself. You pay for the hearing aid upfront at a clinic like ClearSound, then submit the original bill along with prior-approval paperwork to your CGHS Wellness Centre (pensioners) or your Ministry/Department (serving employees) to get reimbursed.
This is different from a typical price-list purchase — there’s no separate “CGHS price list” of hearing aids. What CGHS fixes is a ceiling rate per category of device, and it reimburses the lower of your actual bill or that ceiling.
Who Is Eligible for CGHS Hearing Aid Reimbursement?
You’re eligible if you’re a registered CGHS beneficiary — a serving central government employee, a central government pensioner, or their dependent family member listed on the CGHS card — and your hearing loss is certified by an ENT specialist.
- Serving Central Government employees contributing to CGHS
- Central Government pensioners and their CGHS-listed dependents (including spouse)
- Hearing loss must be clinically certified via audiometric testing by a government or CGHS-empanelled ENT specialist
- Replacement claims allowed only once every 5 years per ear category
Employees of the Armed Forces, Railways, and Delhi Police are generally covered under separate healthcare schemes rather than standard CGHS rules, so it’s worth confirming which scheme applies to you before starting the process.
How Much Does CGHS Reimburse for a Hearing Aid?
CGHS reimburses up to ₹8,000 per ear for a digital BTE hearing aid and up to ₹9,000 per ear for a digital ITC/CIC hearing aid, inclusive of taxes and a mandatory 3-year warranty. If your device costs less than the ceiling, you’re reimbursed the actual amount; if it costs more, you’re reimbursed only up to the ceiling and the difference is out of pocket.
| Hearing Aid Category | CGHS Ceiling Rate (per ear) |
| Digital BTE (Behind-The-Ear) | ₹8,000 |
| Digital ITC / CIC (In-The-Canal) | ₹9,000 |
| Analog / Body-Worn | Not reimbursed (discontinued category) |
For example: an approved BTE hearing aid billed at ₹7,500 gets you the full ₹7,500 back. The same category billed at ₹10,000 still gets capped at ₹8,000 — you’d pay the remaining ₹2,000 yourself. Analog and body-worn hearing aids are no longer reimbursed under current guidelines, as CGHS has discontinued that category in favour of digital devices.
What Is the Step-by-Step Process to Claim CGHS Reimbursement?
The CGHS hearing aid process has three stages — ENT referral and audiogram, prior approval to purchase, and post-purchase reimbursement claim — and each must be completed in order.
Step 1: Get an ENT Referral and Audiogram
Visit your CGHS Wellness Centre and get referred to a CGHS-empanelled or government ENT specialist. The specialist conducts an audiometric test and recommends a hearing aid category (BTE or ITC/CIC) based on your audiogram — not a specific brand.
Step 2: Obtain Prior Approval to Purchase
Pensioners get approval from the Additional Director (Zonal) of CGHS; serving employees get it from their Head of Department. You’ll also sign an undertaking confirming you haven’t received CGHS hearing aid reimbursement in the last 5 years. Keep the permission letter safe — you’ll need it at claim stage.
Step 3: Purchase and Claim Reimbursement
Once approved, you can purchase your hearing aid at ClearSound. We provide the original itemised bill and supporting paperwork you need — you then submit the claim (with your CGHS card copy, original bill, and permission letter) to your CGHS Zonal Office (pensioners) or Ministry/Department (serving employees), ideally within 90 days of purchase.
What Documents Do You Need for CGHS Hearing Aid Reimbursement?
- Photocopy of your CGHS card
- ENT specialist’s recommendation and stamped, signed audiogram report
- Prior permission/approval letter (from CGHS Zonal Office or Head of Department)
- Undertaking that no hearing aid reimbursement was claimed in the last 5 years
- Original itemised purchase bill from ClearSound
- Duly filled Medical Reimbursement Claim (MRC) form
Does ClearSound Provide CGHS-Compliant Billing?
Yes — ClearSound provides the original itemised bill and complete purchase documentation needed to file your CGHS reimbursement claim, so all you have to manage is the government-side paperwork (ENT referral, approval letter, and MRC form).
We do not process the reimbursement on your behalf — that part is handled directly between you and your CGHS Zonal Office or Ministry/Department — but our team will guide you on what documentation to request at the time of purchase so nothing is missing when you file your claim.
Can You Choose Any Hearing Aid Brand Under CGHS?
Yes — CGHS approves hearing aids by category (BTE or ITC/CIC), not by brand, so you can choose any brand that fits your ENT-recommended category and still claim reimbursement up to the applicable ceiling rate.
At ClearSound, we carry all six major authorised brands, so you can pick based on comfort and features while staying within your CGHS-approved category:
Signia | Phonak | ReSound | Oticon | Widex | Bernafon
What’s Not Covered Under CGHS Hearing Aid Rules?
- Batteries and routine maintenance after purchase
- Analog or body-worn hearing aids (discontinued category)
- Cochlear implants (covered under a separate surgical scheme, not standard hearing aid reimbursement)
- Any amount above the fixed ceiling rate for your device category
- A second reimbursement within 5 years of the last approved claim
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse or dependent also claim a CGHS hearing aid?
Yes, if they are listed as a dependent on your CGHS card, they’re eligible for the same reimbursement process and ceiling rates as the primary cardholder.
How much will I be reimbursed for a hearing aid priced above the ceiling?
You’ll only be reimbursed up to the fixed ceiling — ₹8,000 for BTE or ₹9,000 for ITC/CIC per ear — regardless of the actual price; the balance is paid by you.
Are cochlear implants covered under this CGHS hearing aid process?
No, cochlear implants fall under a separate surgical assistance scheme, not the standard digital hearing aid reimbursement process described here.
What happens if I miss the 90-day claim window?
Claims filed after 90 days from purchase are still accepted, but you’ll need to provide a written explanation for the delay to your CGHS Zonal Office or Department.
Does CGHS restrict which hearing aid brand I can buy?
No, CGHS approves by device category (BTE or ITC/CIC) based on your audiogram, not by brand — so you can choose from any authorised brand available at ClearSound.
Can I get a replacement hearing aid reimbursed under CGHS?
Yes, but only once every 5 years per ear category, and you must sign an undertaking confirming you haven’t claimed reimbursement for the same purpose in that period.
Does ClearSound handle the CGHS reimbursement filing for me?
ClearSound provides the itemised bill and purchase documentation you need, but the actual claim submission to your CGHS Zonal Office or Ministry/Department is handled by you directly.
Get CGHS-Compliant Billing at ClearSound
Visit ClearSound for an ENT-recommended hearing aid consultation and get complete, itemised billing ready for your CGHS reimbursement claim — across all major authorised brands.
Call: +91 98733 20320 | +91 6390119011
WhatsApp us: wa.me/919873320320
Find your nearest ClearSound clinic: clearsound.in/clinics
