The Department of Social and Family Affairs operates theTreatment Benefit Scheme, under which grants for hearing aidsare obtainable. Qualifying patients and their dependant spouses who have full PRSI cover may obtain a grant towards the cost of a hearing aid. This would include full contributory pensioners, invalidity pensioners, those on disability benefit and their dependant spouses.

In the case of one hearing aid being required the grant is 50% of the purchase price of a hearing aid up to a maximum of €500, or 50% of the repair cost of a hearing aid. If two hearing aids are required the maximum grant is 50% of the cost up to a maximum of €1000.

The grant for the purchase of hearing aids will be available once every 4 years.