Hearing aids with NFZ funding: 2026 costs, PFRON and tax relief

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

A privately purchased hearing aid most often costs PLN 2,700 per device (typically PLN 2,350 ‑ 3,900), ranging from PLN 1,800 for an economy model to PLN 10,000 for a premium model. With NFZ funding, you pay the difference between the price of the hearing aid and the reimbursement limit. People with a disability certificate may receive additional PFRON funding, and the remaining expense can be deducted under rehabilitation tax relief.

A hearing aid is an expense that many people think about for years before visiting a hearing care professional. One reason is the price: hearing aid centres quote anything from several thousand to well over PLN 10,000 for a pair. However, NFZ covers part of the cost, PFRON provides additional funding for people with a disability certificate, and the remainder can often be deducted from tax. We have collected prices from price lists and explain how these different forms of support work together.

How much does a hearing aid cost without funding?

Without funding, a hearing aid most often costs PLN 2,700 per device, according to 4 price lists and articles collected by indekscen.pl. Half of the offers fall within PLN 2,350 ‑ 3,900, the cheapest economy hearing aids start at PLN 1,800, while the most expensive premium models cost up to PLN 10,000 or more. Details and quotations are available at hearing aid.

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

Situation	Estimated cost before funding
One economy hearing aid	from PLN 1,800
One typical mid-range hearing aid	PLN 2,350 ‑ 3,900
Two hearing aids (one for each ear), at the median price	around PLN 5,400
Two hearing aids, typical range	PLN 4,700 ‑ 7,800
One premium hearing aid	up to PLN 10,000
Minor repair or service	PLN 115 ‑ 140

The price depends on the hearing aid’s technology level: the number of channels, automatic adjustment of sound to the surroundings, noise reduction, Bluetooth connectivity with a phone and rechargeable power instead of disposable batteries. The manufacturer and model also matter. Economy models work well in a quiet home, while higher-end models are better suited to work, groups of people and noisy environments.

How much does a hearing aid cost with NFZ funding?

With NFZ funding, the patient pays the difference between the price of the hearing aid and the reimbursement limit. The additional payment may therefore be small for cheaper models, while for hearing aids costing PLN 10,000 it will still account for most of the price. The NFZ limit and any required patient contribution are set by medical device regulations and change from time to time, so it is best to check the current amount at a hearing aid centre or an NFZ branch.

The process for obtaining a hearing aid with NFZ funding is as follows:

1. Visit an ENT specialist, audiologist or phoniatrician and have a hearing test (audiogram).
2. Obtain an order for a medical device, issued by a doctor, usually electronically.
3. Choose a hearing aid centre that has an agreement with NFZ, then select a hearing aid. The centre settles the reimbursement directly with NFZ, and the patient pays the remainder.
4. Fitting and follow-up appointments. The hearing care professional programmes the device according to the audiogram and adjusts the settings after a few weeks.

Adults can receive NFZ funding every few years, while children and young people are eligible more frequently because their hearing and ears change. The doctor issuing the order will provide the exact time intervals.

Who is entitled to a free hearing aid?

It is rare to receive a hearing aid completely free of charge. NFZ covers the cost up to its limit, and the patient pays the difference if they choose a more expensive model. It may be possible to pay nothing if the selected hearing aid falls within the NFZ limit and PFRON funding covers the remaining amount. However, this requires a disability certificate and meeting the income criterion.

Do people over 70 have to pay for a hearing aid?

People over 70 pay for hearing aids under the same rules as other adults: age alone does not exempt them from making an additional payment. Older people can receive NFZ reimbursement with a doctor’s order, and those with a disability certificate may also apply for PFRON funding. Carers of older people may also find our articles about eye tests and care homes for older people useful.

How can you obtain PFRON funding for a hearing aid?

PFRON funding for a hearing aid is awarded by the county family assistance centre, or the municipal welfare centre in large cities, to people with a disability certificate whose income does not exceed the statutory threshold. PFRON usually contributes towards the amount not covered by NFZ, so you must first use NFZ reimbursement and then submit an application to the PCPR with an invoice or quotation and a copy of the order. Funds may be limited, so it is worth applying as early in the year as possible.

How much of the cost of a hearing aid can be deducted from tax?

Under rehabilitation tax relief, you can deduct from your income the amount actually spent on a hearing aid, less any funding received from NFZ and PFRON. The relief is available to a person with a disability certificate, or a close family member who supports such a person, and an invoice issued in that person’s name is required. Pensioners can also deduct the cost of a hearing aid if they have a disability certificate. The rules can be detailed, so if in doubt, ask your tax office or a tax adviser. We discuss the cost of such advice in the article tax adviser price list.

How much does a bone conduction hearing aid cost?

A bone conduction hearing aid is usually more expensive than a typical behind-the-ear hearing aid costing PLN 2,700, and we do not yet have a separate median for this category. A bone conduction device transmits sound through the skull bone, bypassing the outer and middle ear. It is therefore used for structural ear abnormalities, chronic discharge or after surgery. It is available as a headband or glasses-mounted model, as well as a bone-anchored version that requires surgery and is funded under different rules from a conventional hearing aid. An ENT specialist or audiologist will decide whether a bone conduction hearing aid is appropriate after an examination.

Disposable batteries or rechargeable hearing aid?

A rechargeable hearing aid usually costs more to buy, but does not require new batteries every few days. A hearing aid powered by disposable batteries is cheaper initially and may be better for people who find it difficult to remember to charge a device every day. Manual dexterity also matters: replacing a small battery can be difficult for older people.

How much does it cost to maintain a hearing aid?

Hearing aid maintenance includes disposable batteries or a charger, earmoulds and filters, as well as servicing. A minor repair or adjustment typically costs PLN 115 ‑ 140, with a median of PLN 125. Repairs by the manufacturer may be free during the warranty period, so when buying, ask how long the warranty lasts and whether it includes follow-up appointments.

How can you avoid overpaying for a hearing aid?

• Ask for quotations for two or three technology levels based on the same NFZ order and compare what the additional cost covers.
• Ask about a trial period. Many hearing aid centres let you test a device at home before buying it.
• Check what is included in the price: earmoulds, follow-up appointments, charger, servicing and loss insurance.
• Do not pay for features you will not use. Phone connectivity is useful for an active person, but less so for someone who mainly watches television at home.

Unlike shops that display prices for individual models, we provide the median and range from several sources. You can find more prices for medical services in the health category. Choose the type of hearing aid together with your doctor and hearing care professional, based on a hearing test.

The prices in this article come from public price lists of hearing aid centres and articles about hearing aids. Each price has a source, date and verbatim quotation on the service page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a hearing aid really cost?

Aparat słuchowy kosztuje zwykle PLN 2,350 ‑ 3,900 za sztukę, a mediana z cenników to PLN 2,700. Przy niedosłuchu obustronnym potrzebne są dwa, czyli około PLN 5,400 przed dofinansowaniem.

How much does an invisible hearing aid cost?

Niewidoczne aparaty wewnątrzkanałowe są robione na wymiar ucha i należą zwykle do wyższych klas, więc ich ceny są bliżej górnej granicy, do PLN 10,000 za sztukę. Nie każdy niedosłuch da się jednak skorygować tak małym aparatem, decyduje o tym badanie.

Is it worth buying a used hearing aid?

Używany aparat słuchowy kusi ceną, ale trzeba go przeprogramować u protetyka pod własny audiogram, a wkładki uszne i często baterię wymienić. Serwis kosztuje zwykle PLN 115 ‑ 140, a nowy aparat z dofinansowaniem NFZ bywa niewiele droższy i ma gwarancję.

How much does a hearing aid for a child cost?

Aparaty dla dzieci kosztują podobnie jak dla dorosłych, zwykle PLN 2,350 ‑ 3,900 za sztukę przed dofinansowaniem. Dzieci i młodzież mają na NFZ korzystniejsze zasady i mogą wymieniać aparat częściej niż dorośli, szczegóły podaje lekarz wystawiający zlecenie.

How many hours a day can you wear a hearing aid?

Aparat słuchowy nosi się zwykle przez cały dzień, zdejmując go na noc i do kąpieli. Na początku protetycy zalecają stopniowe wydłużanie czasu noszenia, a szczegółowy plan ustala się przy dopasowaniu aparatu.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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