If you served in the Canadian Armed Forces, hearing loss is one of the most common service-related conditions, and Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has a benefit for it. Here is how Program of Choice 3 (POC 3), Audio (Hearing) Services, works in 2026.
What POC 3 covers
- Hearing aids across entry, intermediate, and advanced tiers
- Accessories and FM systems
- Fitting fees
- Ongoing maintenance, batteries, and repairs
This is comprehensive coverage compared with most provincial programs. Unlike Alberta’s AADL program, which caps its contribution at a fixed dollar amount per hearing aid, POC 3 covers the full cost of approved devices and all associated fitting and follow up care. That includes replacements when your current pair reaches end of life, typically every four to five years.
Who qualifies
Eligibility generally requires:
- An audiogram showing a total loss of 100 dB over the speech frequencies, or 50 dB or more at 4000 Hz in both ears, and
- Eligibility for a treatment benefit under the Veterans Health Care Regulations or related legislation.
Your hearing loss does not always have to be formally linked to service to qualify for the treatment benefit, depending on your status with VAC. Veterans receiving a disability pension or disability award for hearing loss automatically qualify. Veterans with other recognized service-related conditions may qualify under the broader health benefits framework even without a separate hearing claim on file.
How hearing loss connects to military service
Noise exposure during service is the most common cause of hearing loss among Canadian veterans. Artillery, armoured vehicles, small arms fire, aircraft engines, and shipboard machinery all produce noise levels well above safe thresholds. Many veterans served when hearing protection standards were less rigorous than they are today. The damage often accumulated over years and may not become noticeable until well after release from the Forces.
If you suspect your hearing changed during or after service, a diagnostic audiogram is the first step. The pattern of noise-induced hearing loss is distinctive, and a registered audiologist can identify and document it for your VAC application.
How to get started
1. Book a hearing assessment. You need a full diagnostic audiogram from a registered audiologist, not a quick screening. The results show whether your hearing loss meets the POC 3 thresholds and whether the pattern is consistent with noise exposure.
2. Apply to VAC for the benefit. Contact your VAC case manager or apply through My VAC Account online. If you do not yet have a disability benefit decision for hearing loss, you may need to submit a disability benefit application first. VAC reviews your service records and medical evidence.
3. Get your hearing aids through an authorized provider. Once approved, VAC covers the cost of hearing aids from a registered provider. The provider bills VAC directly so there is no out of pocket cost to you.
If you already receive VAC benefits for another condition and simply need to add hearing care, the process is often faster because your eligibility is already established.
What to bring to your appointment
To make your first visit as productive as possible, bring any previous audiograms or hearing test results, your VAC client number if you have one, a list of noise exposures during service (types of equipment, duration, and whether hearing protection was used), and your VAC case manager’s contact information. The more documentation you have, the smoother the approval process.
Tinnitus and the VAC benefit
Many veterans with hearing loss also experience tinnitus, a persistent ringing, buzzing, or hissing in the ears. Tinnitus is one of the most frequently reported conditions among Canadian veterans and is often linked to the same noise exposure that causes hearing loss. VAC recognizes tinnitus as a disability condition, and some hearing aids include tinnitus masking features covered under POC 3. If you experience tinnitus alongside hearing loss, mention it during your assessment so it can be documented and addressed.
For veterans in Edmonton and across Alberta
We welcome veterans at our Edmonton clinics and our Calgary location. Our registered audiologist can perform the full diagnostic assessment you need, document your results properly, and help you understand how the benefit works. We are experienced with VAC paperwork and can coordinate directly with the program once you are approved.
Whether you are recently released or have been out of the Forces for years, it is worth getting your hearing checked. Many Edmonton area veterans assume mild hearing loss is just part of getting older. A proper assessment can tell you whether noise exposure played a role and whether you qualify for coverage you may not know about.
Not a veteran, or want to understand other options? See our funding by province guide.
Book a hearing test to get started.