When you start looking into hearing aids, the first question almost always revolves around the budget. At Audika, one of the largest networks of hearing aid specialists in France, prices vary depending on the chosen range, the level of embedded technology, and the reimbursement scheme you are entitled to. Understanding this pricing structure before entering a center helps avoid unpleasant surprises and allows you to ask the right questions from the very first appointment.
Class 1 and Class 2 at Audika: two very different pricing logics
The French system distinguishes between two categories of hearing aids. Class 1 corresponds to the 100% Health device, where the out-of-pocket expense can drop to zero. Class 2 includes the so-called “free” devices, whose price exceeds the reference tariff set by the List of Products and Services (LPP).
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At Audika, this distinction structures the entire range. A Class 1 device adheres to a price capped by regulation. It includes basic functions: noise reduction, multiple listening programs, compatibility with a loop amplification system.
A Class 2 device, on the other hand, offers more advanced technologies. Wireless charging, direct Bluetooth connection to the phone, sound processing by artificial intelligence, automatic adaptation to the sound environment. These additional functions explain the price difference. To better understand the price of hearing aids at Audika, you first need to identify which class the device that corresponds to your hearing loss falls into.
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Why does this choice have such an impact on the bill? Because the reimbursement from Health Insurance only covers a fraction of the price in Class 2, while it covers the entire amount (with complementary health insurance) in Class 1. Everything else depends on your mutual insurance and your contract.
Reimbursement for hearing aids: what Health Insurance actually covers
The reimbursement for a hearing aid is based on a reference tariff listed in the LPP. Health Insurance covers part of this tariff, and complementary health insurance fills in according to the subscribed guarantees.
For a Class 1 device, the combination of the two results in a zero out-of-pocket expense for the patient, provided that the mutual insurance contract is compatible with the 100% Health device. This mechanism has significantly broadened access to hearing aids since its implementation.
In Class 2, the situation changes. Since the selling price is free, the non-reimbursed portion increases proportionally to the chosen range. The mutual insurance can absorb part of this gap, but rarely the entirety for high-end models.
What your mutual insurance reimburses according to the contract
Not all complementary health insurance contracts are equal when it comes to hearing aids. Some cap their coverage per ear and per renewal period. Others offer an annual allowance dedicated to hearing.
- Responsible contracts fully cover Class 1, as it is a legal obligation since the 100% Health reform.
- For Class 2, coverage varies from a modest supplement to several hundred euros per device depending on the level of guarantee.
- Renewal of a hearing aid is possible every four years to benefit again from full reimbursement.
Before any appointment at Audika, requesting a detailed quote and submitting it to your mutual insurance remains the most reliable approach to know your actual out-of-pocket expense.
Audika Hearing Specialist: services included in the price
The displayed price of a hearing aid at Audika does not only cover the physical device. The support from the hearing specialist is an integral part of the cost. This is a point that many patients underestimate when comparing prices between brands.
Specifically, the process begins with a free (non-medical) hearing assessment that allows for evaluating the loss and directing towards the appropriate type of device. This is followed by a trial of the hearing aid, usually over a period of thirty days, with no commitment.
Once the device is adopted, follow-up adjustments over several months, cleaning, regular checks, and adjustments are included. This follow-up extends over the entire lifespan of the device, generally four years before renewal.
Why the hearing specialist follow-up affects the total price
A hearing specialist typically spends several hours consulting with each patient, spread over the entire duration of the hearing aid use. These adjustment sessions are essential: the ear adapts gradually, and the settings must evolve with it.
A poorly adjusted device ends up in a drawer. This is why French regulation links the price of the device to that of the follow-up services. At Audika and elsewhere, separating the cost of the equipment from that of the service makes no regulatory sense.
Audika range and price evolution: what changes with technology
The market for hearing aids is experiencing sustained growth. In April 2026, Health Insurance reimbursed 36.7 million euros for hearing aids, an increase of 3.9% compared to April 2025. This dynamic reflects an increase in the number of people fitted with hearing aids, but also a gradual upgrade in quality.
At Audika, this trend is reflected in a more tiered catalog than a few years ago. The entry-level 100% Health models coexist with those that include induction charging, direct connectivity with smartphones, or adaptive sound processing algorithms.
Are you hesitating between a basic model that meets your immediate needs and a connected model that anticipates future uses? The answer depends on your lifestyle. An active person in noisy environments (meetings, restaurants, transport) will benefit significantly from a Class 2 device. A person whose needs focus on conversation at home will often find satisfaction with Class 1.
- Class 1: basic functions, zero out-of-pocket expense with compatible mutual insurance, discreet models but standardized technology.
- Class 2 entry: Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, initial levels of automatic noise adaptation.
- Class 2 premium: embedded artificial intelligence, advanced microphone directionality, extensive customization via mobile app.
The choice of range at Audika is not just a matter of comfort. It is a trade-off between immediate budget and daily listening quality over the next four years. The standardized quote provided after the hearing assessment details the price of the device, the amount reimbursed by Health Insurance, the estimated share from the mutual insurance, and the out-of-pocket expense. This document allows you to make an informed decision.