What does a hearing aid warranty cover?
A hearing aid warranty covers manufacturing faults — a hearing aid that stops working, crackles or loses power because of a defect, during the warranty period. It does not cover loss, theft, a dropped or crushed hearing aid, water damage beyond what the hearing aid is rated for, damage by pets, or repairs done by someone other than the brand or its partner. The warranty is given by the manufacturer, and its length — usually 2 to 4 years, depending on the brand and model — is printed on your invoice and warranty card.
What is the difference between warranty, aftercare, loss cover and insurance?
These four things are often mixed up, but they protect you against different problems:
| What it covers | Who gives it | At Fairfield | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer’s warranty | Manufacturing faults during the warranty period | The brand (Signia, Phonak, ReSound and so on) | Included with every hearing aid; period shown on your invoice |
| Free aftercare | Check-ups, cleaning, fine-tuning and minor fixes at the clinic | The clinic | Free for 2 years for hearing aids bought from us (parts charged) |
| Loss and accidental-damage cover | A lost, stolen, dropped or crushed hearing aid | An insurer or a special scheme | Not offered by Fairfield |
| Health insurance | Hospital treatment; hearing aids only if your policy says so | Your health insurer | We give you the invoice and audiogram for any claim |
So the warranty protects the device, aftercare keeps it working well, and only a separate insurance policy can protect you against loss or damage.
Does Fairfield offer loss and damage cover?
No. Fairfield Hearing Clinics does not sell loss, theft or accidental-damage cover. Your hearing aids come with the manufacturer’s warranty for manufacturing faults and 2 years of free aftercare at our clinics. If you want protection against loss or damage, you can ask an insurer whether they offer it — see the questions below.
We say this plainly because a lost hearing aid is not cheap to replace, and it is better to know before it happens.
Is a hearing aid covered by health insurance in India?
Usually not. Under the standard list of non-payable items used by health insurers in India, the “cost of spectacles, contact lenses, hearing aids etc.” is payable only if your policy specifically allows it [1]. The same list also marks “external durable devices” as not payable [1]. Some insurers offer hearing aids through optional add-on covers or riders [2], so read your policy wording or ask your insurer before you buy.
If your policy does cover hearing aids, you will usually need the ENT doctor’s or audiologist’s recommendation, the audiogram and the invoice with the serial numbers. We give you all three.
Can I insure my hearing aids against loss or damage?
You can ask. Some home insurance policies can add cover for valuable portable items, and some insurers offer gadget or device cover. Before you rely on any such cover, ask the insurer these questions and get the answers in writing:
- Does the policy cover hearing aids by name, or “portable items” in general?
- Does it cover loss and theft, or only accidental damage?
- Is there a deductible (the part you pay yourself)?
- Is the payout the replacement cost or a depreciated value?
- What proof is needed — invoice, serial numbers, police report for theft?
Keep the invoice, the serial numbers and a photo of both hearing aids somewhere safe. Every insurer will ask for them.
What about CGHS — does it pay for a new hearing aid?
CGHS is a reimbursement scheme, not insurance. Under the Office Memorandum of 9 September 2026, CGHS reimburses hearing aids up to ₹30,000 per ear for eligible beneficiaries, following its own rules on prescriptions and how often a new hearing aid can be claimed [3]. It is not loss or damage cover, so check the CGHS rules before you count on it to replace a lost hearing aid. Our CGHS hearing aids guide explains the steps and documents.
What happens if my hearing aid breaks after the warranty ends?
If your hearing aid breaks after the warranty ends, it can usually still be repaired, but you pay for the repair. At Fairfield, the check is free; small fixes are usually done the same day, and a bigger repair is sent to the brand’s authorised service centre only after you approve a written estimate. These repairs usually take 7 to 15 working days. See hearing aid repair and servicing.
When a repair costs a large part of the price of a new hearing aid, or the model is very old, we explain your options, including a free hearing test, before you decide.
How do I keep my warranty valid?
To keep the warranty valid:
- Keep the invoice and warranty card together, with the serial numbers of both hearing aids.
- Register the warranty if your brand asks for it, and keep the confirmation.
- Do not open the hearing aid or let an unauthorised person repair it.
- Use a drying jar in the humid months and keep the hearing aid away from water unless the brand says it is water-resistant.
- Bring it to the clinic at the first sign of a problem, while it is still under warranty.
Not sure your hearing aid is genuine and covered? Read how to check a hearing aid is genuine.
How can I avoid losing a hearing aid?
Most hearing aids are lost in a few common ways, and simple habits prevent most of them:
- Face masks and dupattas: take them off slowly — they often pull a hearing aid out of the ear.
- Night-time: always put the hearing aids in the charger or their case, never loose on a table or bed.
- Pets and small children: dogs often chew hearing aids; keep them out of reach.
- Travel: carry the case and count both hearing aids before you leave a hotel, train or car.
- Phone apps: some brand apps can show where the hearing aids were last connected — ask us whether yours can.
References
[1] Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India — standard list of excluded (non-payable) items in health insurance, as published by Care Health Insurance (item 63: cost of spectacles, contact lenses, hearing aids etc. — payable only if allowed in the policy; item 148: external durable devices — not payable). careinsurance.com (PDF)
[2] Niva Bupa Health Insurance. Is a hearing aid covered by medical insurance? nivabupa.com
[3] Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. CGHS Office Memorandum No. S.11030/76/2026-EHS dated 09-09-2026 (hearing aids). Explained in our CGHS hearing aids guide.
