The federal Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) program covers hearing care for eligible First Nations and recognized Inuit, across every province and territory. Here is how it works in 2026.
What NIHB covers
- One hearing aid per ear every five years
- Cochlear implant sound processors and remote microphone systems
- Batteries (up to 24 every 144 days)
- Repairs and maintenance
NIHB covers behind the ear, in the ear, and receiver in canal styles. The program approves models from a list of recognized manufacturers, and your audiologist can help you choose the best fit for your hearing loss and lifestyle. Accessories like remote microphones and FM systems may also be covered when they are clinically necessary.
Who qualifies
You must be a registered First Nations person or a recognized Inuk, and meet the hearing thresholds:
- Adults: a total loss of 100 dB, or a loss of 40 dB or more at two frequencies between 3000 and 6000 Hz
- Children: a loss of 25 dB or greater at any frequency from 500 to 4000 Hz
Coverage is available regardless of which province or territory you live in. Whether you are in Edmonton, a rural Alberta community, or anywhere else in Canada, the same federal benefit applies. You do not need to live on reserve to qualify.
How to apply
Get a hearing assessment from an audiologist. If hearing aids are recommended and you meet the criteria, your provider submits the request to NIHB, often with prior approval, and the program is billed directly so you do not pay up front.
Step by step
- Book a hearing test with a registered audiologist. Bring your status card or Inuit membership information to the appointment.
- Complete the audiological assessment. The audiologist will test your hearing and document whether you meet the NIHB thresholds.
- Your provider submits the claim. If hearing aids are recommended, the clinic sends a prior approval request to NIHB with your audiogram and the recommended devices.
- NIHB reviews and approves. Approval typically takes a few weeks. Once approved, the hearing aids are ordered.
- Fitting and follow up. You return to the clinic for your fitting. Follow up adjustments and hearing aid checks are part of the process.
Because NIHB is billed directly, you should not have to pay anything out of pocket for approved devices.
Replacements and repairs
NIHB allows a new hearing aid every five years per ear. If your current devices are damaged or no longer working properly before the five year mark, you can request a repair. The program covers parts and labour for repairs to devices that are still within their serviceable life. If the repair cost is too high relative to the age of the hearing aid, NIHB may approve an early replacement instead.
Battery replacements follow a set schedule of up to 24 batteries every 144 days. If you use rechargeable hearing aids, the built in battery is part of the device cost and does not require separate claims.
Combining NIHB with other coverage
If you also have private insurance through an employer or a band council health plan, NIHB acts as the payer of last resort. That means your private plan pays first, and NIHB covers the remainder. This can sometimes give you access to a wider range of hearing aid models or additional accessories that go beyond what NIHB alone would approve.
In Alberta, you may also qualify for AADL coverage. Your audiologist can help you figure out which programs apply and how to stack them so your out of pocket cost stays as low as possible.
For patients in Edmonton and Calgary
Our registered audiologist can complete your assessment and help with the NIHB process at our Edmonton clinics and our Calgary location. We handle the prior approval submission, follow up with NIHB on your behalf, and make sure nothing gets lost in the paperwork.
Many of our patients in the Edmonton area combine NIHB with other benefits, and we sort out the coordination so you do not have to. Want to understand all the coverage options? See our funding by province guide.
Book a hearing test to get started.