Hearing loss makes it difficult to recognize speech and affects all aspects of life.
It is the same with eye problems, but the cost of eye problems is different from the cost of hearing problems.
Glasses are not cheap, but they are not dramatically expensive either.
Well, it is a normal expense, but not so much that you hesitate to buy them.
On the other hand, hearing aids are more expensive than glasses, with most hearing aids costing more than 100,000 yen for one ear.
Therefore, it is quite a burden in terms of money.
However, there are subsidies and grants available for hearing aids because they are medical devices.
Let's take a look at the subsidies and grants that can be used to purchase hearing aids at a reasonable price.
Assistance with certification of disability
Hearing loss can be certified as a disability depending on the severity of its symptoms.
By being recognized as a person with a disability, one can receive support under the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Act.
Although many people may resist the idea of becoming disabled, I personally think it is more important to get a disability certificate and make sure that the extra costs are kept to a minimum.
How to get certified as a person with a disability
The criteria for certification of disability due to hearing loss in Japan are as follows
| Grade | Condition |
| Grade 2 | Hearing levels in each ear are 100 dB or greater (both ears are at the level of severe hearing loss) |
| Grade 3 | Hearing level in both ears is 90 dB or higher (level that cannot be understood unless spoken loudly in the ear) |
| Grade 4 | Hearing level in both ears is 80 dB or higher (level that cannot be recognized unless spoken in a loud voice close to the ear) Or, the level where only half of what is being said can be understood when listening with both ears |
| Grade 6 | Hearing level in both ears is 70 dB or higher (the content cannot be understood when spoken to from a distance of 40 cm) Or hearing in one ear is 90 dB or more and the other is 50 dB or more |
Since the minimum level of disability is level 6, a person must have a hearing loss of 70 dB or more, or in other words, a severe hearing loss, in order to be recognized as a person with a disability.
My wife wears hearing aids, but since she has a moderate hearing loss, she is just barely qualified for the certificate and there is no subsidy to buy hearing aids.
I would like to see the criteria lowered, as it is still necessary.
Applying for assistance
The specific method depends on the municipality in which you live.
Therefore, please first check with your local government office, which probably has a disability welfare section.
There is probably a clinic affiliated with the municipality where you can have your hearing tested and documentation prepared.
Then, based on that documentation, you will be examined to see if you are eligible.
The money you receive under the Assistance Act does not mean that you can buy any hearing aid you want.
The price is specified in the Assistance Act, so you will have to choose your hearing aid based on that price.
Of course, if the hearing aid you want is too expensive, you can buy the rest at your own expense.
However, whether or not you can self-pay depends on the local government, so you will need to consult with them about this as well.
Assistance for children with mild/moderate hearing loss
The minimum for a disability rating is a severe hearing loss of 70 dB or greater.
However, an increasing number of municipalities are granting subsidies for children with mild to moderate hearing loss at 30 dB or higher because of the impact on education, such as delayed language development.
Although there are some restrictions based on income, please check with your local government even if you have a relatively mild hearing loss of 70 dB or less.
Medical Expense Deduction
If you have a hearing aid consultant certified by the Academy of Otolaryngology write a referral letter for a hearing aid store, you can receive a medical expense deduction for the consultation fee and hearing aids you purchased.
Therefore, when you want to receive a deduction for medical expenses, please first visit an ENT clinic where a hearing aid consultant doctor is located and ask him or her to write a letter of introduction (medical information provision form).
After that, purchase a hearing aid at a hearing aid store and get a receipt.
Finally, submit the letter of referral and the receipt for the hearing aid on your tax return to receive a deduction for medical expenses.
If your gross income is 2 million yen or more, the deduction is 100,000 yen less the medical fee and hearing aid cost.
If your income is less than that, the deductible amount is 5% of your income.
Unfortunately, if you have no income, you cannot receive the deduction.
Some local governments provide their own assistance
Each municipality offers its own assistance.
Where subsidies are available for the purchase of hearing aids for all ages.
Where grants are available for the purchase of hearing aids for the elderly.
Subsidized hearing aids for children with mild/moderate hearing loss
If support is available, it is one of these.
For grants for children, quite a few municipalities should provide assistance.
As for other support, it depends on the local government, so please contact your local government first.
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