Compare 174 audiologists in Chicago, IL. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
174
Audiologists
100%
Accepting patients
40%
Most common: AU.D.
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Chicago is one of the great American medical cities. The Illinois Medical District on the Near West Side is one of the largest urban medical campuses in the country, and the competition between Northwestern, UChicago Medicine, Rush, and Advocate keeps driving specialization deeper. The challenge is that access depends heavily on which side of the city you live on, and the South and West sides have far fewer options than the North Side and downtown.
Chicago has 174 audiologists. The most common credential is AU.D. (40%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
The CTA L train connects many neighborhoods to the major hospital campuses. Northwestern and Lurie Children's sit in Streeterville off the Red Line. Rush and the Illinois Medical District are accessible via the Blue and Pink Lines. UChicago Medicine in Hyde Park is reachable by the 6 bus or Metra Electric. North Side residents have easy access to Advocate Illinois Masonic and Swedish Covenant. South Side access gaps are real, and residents in Englewood and Back of the Yards face longer trips for specialty care.
Providers practice throughout Chicago. Lincoln Park is a popular North Side neighborhood near Northwestern's Prentice Women's Hospital and Lurie Children's. Wicker Park is a trendy neighborhood with growing healthcare options and proximity to the Illinois Medical District. Hyde Park is home to the University of Chicago Medical Center, a Level I trauma center and nationally ranked hospital. Gold Coast is an affluent lakefront neighborhood with concierge practices and proximity to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Nearby hospitals include Northwestern Memorial Hospital, University of Chicago Medical Center, and Rush University Medical Center. Local training programs run through Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Chicago's Illinois Medical District is one of the largest urban medical districts in the US, spanning 560 acres.
A hearing evaluation lasts 60 to 90 minutes. The audiologist will ask about your hearing concerns, noise exposure history, and medical history. Testing takes place in a soundproof booth and includes pure-tone audiometry (beep test), speech recognition testing, and middle ear function testing (tympanometry). Results are shown on an audiogram. If hearing loss is found, the audiologist will explain the type and degree and discuss options. For hearing aids, a separate fitting appointment (60 minutes) involves selecting devices, taking ear impressions or scans, and programming the aids to your hearing profile.
See an audiologist if you have difficulty hearing conversations (especially in noisy environments), need people to repeat themselves frequently, turn up the TV louder than others prefer, experience ringing or buzzing in your ears (tinnitus), have dizziness or balance problems, or were exposed to a loud noise that affected your hearing. Newborns who do not pass their hospital hearing screening are referred to an audiologist. Adults should have a baseline hearing test by age 50, or earlier if exposed to noise at work or through hobbies.
Hearing evaluation: $0-75 copay (diagnostic) · Hearing aids: $1,000-4,000 per ear · OTC hearing aids: $200-800/pair · Balance evaluation: $50-100 copay · Tinnitus evaluation: $50-100 copay
Chicago, IL has 174 licensed audiologists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of audiologists in Chicago, IL are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is the dominant carrier in the Chicago market for both employer and individual plans. On the ACA marketplace, Ambetter, Molina, and Oscar compete on price. Medicaid enrollment is high, and CountyCare (Cook County's managed care plan) is a major Medicaid provider.
A hearing evaluation copay is $0 to $75 (diagnostic). Hearing aids cost $1,000 to $4,000 per ear. OTC hearing aids cost $200 to $800 per pair. A balance evaluation copay is $50 to $100. Actual costs in Chicago, IL depend on the provider and your insurance plan. If your plan does not cover hearing aids, ask the audiologist about financing, manufacturer rebates, and charitable programs. Veterans may be eligible for hearing aids through the VA at no cost. Over-the-counter hearing aids are a lower-cost option for mild to moderate hearing loss.
Chicago's healthcare market is dominated by four academic systems (Northwestern, UChicago, Rush, Loyola) and two large community systems (Advocate Aurora, Ascension). Most physicians are affiliated with one system, and referrals stay in-network. Access varies by neighborhood: the North Side and downtown have excellent coverage, while the South and West sides have documented provider shortages.
24% of audiologists in Chicago, IL accept Medicare. Medicare covers diagnostic hearing evaluations ordered by a physician but does not cover routine hearing exams or hearing aids. Medicare Advantage plans may include hearing aid benefits ($500-$2,000+ per ear). You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Some audiologists in Chicago, IL accept Illinois Medicaid, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid covers hearing services for children in all states under EPSDT, including hearing aids. Adult hearing aid coverage varies by state. Diagnostic evaluations are generally covered. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm Illinois Medicaid participation before scheduling.
The Illinois Medical District is a 560-acre campus on Chicago's Near West Side. It includes Rush University Medical Center, the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, UIC Hospital, and several research institutions. It is one of the largest concentrations of healthcare facilities in any American city.
Hospital closures over the past two decades have reduced inpatient capacity on the South Side. UChicago Medicine expanded its trauma center in 2018 to help address the gap, but many South Side residents still travel 30 minutes or more for specialty care. Community health centers like Friend Health and PCC Community Wellness fill some of the primary care gaps.
Top accepted carriers in Chicago, IL include unitedhealthcare, medicare, centene, qhp-68781, and qhp-54192.
Diagnostic hearing evaluations ordered to investigate a medical complaint (hearing loss, tinnitus, dizziness) are covered by most insurance plans and Medicare. Routine hearing screenings without a medical reason may not be covered. Hearing aid coverage varies widely: some plans include a benefit ($500 to $3,000 per ear every few years), while others exclude hearing aids entirely. Federal employee plans and many state Medicaid programs cover hearing aids. Over-the-counter hearing aids do not require a prescription and are not covered by insurance.