Hearing Aid Tax Credits in Canada: How the METC Works (2026)

Here is something a lot of people miss: the money you spend out of pocket on hearing aids can lower your tax bill. Hearing aids, batteries, repairs, and accessories all count as eligible medical expenses under the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC), and most provinces add a credit on top. Here is how it works, without the accountant jargon.

What qualifies

The METC covers more than just the devices:

• Hearing aids and custom earmolds
• Batteries and replacement costs
• Repairs
• Cochlear implant processors
• FM systems when prescribed
• Telephone amplifiers

You claim only what you actually paid yourself. If AADL, insurance, or another program covered part of the cost, you can claim just the unreimbursed portion.

How the credit is calculated

It works in three steps:

1. Add up your eligible medical expenses over any 12-month period ending in the tax year.
2. Subtract a threshold, which is the lesser of 3% of your net income or a set amount (about $2,759 for the 2025 tax year).
3. Multiply what is left by the 15% federal rate.

Because the METC is non-refundable, it reduces the tax you owe rather than sending you a refund cheque. Every province also offers its own medical expense credit, so the combined federal and provincial benefit usually lands somewhere in the 19% to 27% range, depending on where you live. Here in Alberta, that provincial credit stacks on top of the federal one.

A quick tip on timing

Because you can use any 12-month period ending in the tax year, it often pays to group your hearing-related expenses together. If you are buying hearing aids, stocking up on batteries, and getting a repair around the same window, they can all count toward one claim.

Keep your paperwork

Hold on to your receipts for six years, including the invoice for your hearing aids, insurance statements showing what was reimbursed, and any provincial program documents. At Medicine Place Hearing Care we provide clear, itemized receipts so you have exactly what you need at tax time.

We make the money side simple

Between AADL, insurance, and the tax credit, most people pay far less than the sticker price. Book a hearing test and we will walk you through every option you qualify for, and hand you the documentation to claim it. Book a hearing test at either Edmonton clinic or our Calgary location.

This article is general information, not tax advice. For your specific situation, check with a tax professional or the Canada Revenue Agency.