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There is financial assistance from the Generalitat of Catalonia that many people with hearing loss are unaware of or fail to apply for due to a lack of information: the PUA, the Social Care Benefit for People with Disabilities. It can finance up to €2,800 for hearing aids.
It’s not a pension or a discount. It’s a direct subsidy that the Generalitat (Catalan government) pays in advance so you can access the assistive products you need. The problem is that many people don’t know it exists, don’t know if they qualify, or aren’t sure how to get started.
At Clinicaudio, we support our patients throughout this entire process, from the initial hearing evaluation to choosing the most suitable hearing aid for your needs and budget. In this article, we explain how it works and why it’s worth trying.
Do you think you may be eligible for PUA hearing aid assistance?
At Clinicaudio we perform a free hearing evaluation and advise you on whether you meet the requirements before the application period opens.
What is PUA assistance and how much does it cover for hearing aids?
The PUA is a financial social benefit provided by the Department of Social Rights and Inclusion of the Government of Catalonia. It is not a loan or a store discount; it is a direct subsidy deposited into your bank account so you can purchase the assistive products you need.
The amount of aid is fixed and not automatic. The PUA operates through a competitive system with a maximum number of points awarded based on:
- Income level
- Social situation
- Specific circumstances
This means that the aid may cover a significant portion of the hearing aid’s cost, but not necessarily 100%. The award will depend on the score obtained and the budget available in the corresponding call for applications.
Prices may vary depending on the catalog, the specific call for applications, and the type of hearing aid. However, official data from previous years indicates that the maximum approved amounts for hearing aids are:
- One hearing aid (code 408): up to €1,400 – Includes ear molds and ear tube
- Two hearing aids (code 409): up to €2,800 – Includes ear molds and ear tube
These amounts are fixed per device, not a percentage of the price. The grant period is 4 years from the last grant (2 years for those under 18), meaning you cannot reapply until that time has passed.
The PUA is not the only aid available, but it is one of the most significant in terms of amount for people with hearing loss in Catalonia.
Can I apply for PUA for hearing aids?
To access PUA assistance for hearing aids, you must meet certain requirements. The most important are:
Recognized disability: You need to have a recognized disability rating of 33% or higher, or have submitted your disability assessment application before the call for applications was published. If the disability began after age 65, you will not be eligible for assistance.
Residence in Catalonia: You must be registered and have legal residence in Catalonia for a minimum of 5 years, of which at least 2 must be immediately prior to the date of application.
Income limit: The aid is conditional on the beneficiary’s income, measured in relation to the IRSC (Catalan Income Sufficiency Indicator). Applications from people with incomes exceeding 3.5 times the IRSC have been automatically rejected in previous years; therefore, the economic criteria should always be reviewed.
Without recent assistance for the same reason, you cannot have received PUA for hearing aids in the last 4 years.
If you have any doubts about whether you meet these requirements, our complete guide to PUA aid in Catalonia explains in detail how to prepare the application in advance, since anticipating the requirements is key to avoiding last-minute mistakes.
What you need before applying for PUA
A complete hearing evaluation
The Catalan government needs to verify that your hearing loss meets the clinical criteria for accessing hearing aids. This usually requires a recent audiometry test that confirms the level of hearing loss.
At Clinicaudio, we perform comprehensive hearing evaluations. This evaluation is the starting point of the entire process.
Knowing which hearing aid you are going to request
The PUA form requires you to specify the product you are purchasing and its price. This means that before applying, you need to have selected the hearing aid model, know its cost, and ensure that it is suitable for your type of hearing loss.
At Clinicaudio we work with the leading brands on the market: Phonak, Signia, Oticon, ReSound, and we help you find the model that best suits your audiogram, your lifestyle, and the budget covered by the PUA.
How to choose the right hearing aid within the PUA budget
The PUA covers up to €1,400 per hearing aid.
Is that enough to get a good device?
The short answer is yes, depending on your needs. The current market offers a very wide range of options, and within the PUA coverage amount, there are solid choices in different price ranges:
Basic-mid range:
The amount covered by the PUA allows you to access models with Bluetooth connectivity, wireless charging, and automatic adjustment based on your environment. These are fully functional hearing aids suitable for a wide range of hearing loss profiles.
Mid-to-high range:
If your hearing loss requires more advanced technology, the cost may exceed the PUA amount. In that case, the assistance covers a significant portion, and you are responsible for the rest. At Clinicaudio, we transparently explain the difference in cost before you make any decisions.
The important thing is that you don’t choose the model before your hearing test. A hearing aid that isn’t adjusted to your specific audiogram won’t perform at the level you need, regardless of its price.
The complete process, from consultation to hearing aids
To give you a clear overview of the whole process, this is the usual procedure when managing your hearing aids through Clinicaudio with PUA assistance.
1. Free hearing evaluation at Clinicaudio: We perform a complete audiometry, identify the type and degree of hearing loss, and explain which hearing aid options best suit your needs.
2. Model selection: Based on the evaluation results, our specialists will recommend the most suitable models. We will inform you of the price of each one and how much the PUA would cover.
3. Document preparation: We help you gather the necessary documentation for the application, the hearing report, the hearing aid budget and any other documentation required by the call.
4. PUA Application Process: Once the official application period opens in the DOGC (Official Gazette of the Generalitat of Catalonia), you submit your application through the Tràmits Gencat portal. To complete the process correctly, it is important to have all the necessary documentation ready, especially that related to the hearing assessment and the hearing aid estimate. At Clinicaudio, we help you prepare this preliminary step so you can approach the application with greater clarity and peace of mind.
5. Payment and purchase: The Generalitat pays 100% of the approved amount in advance via bank transfer. With this amount, you purchase the hearing aids from Clinicaudio.
6. Fitting and follow-up: The delivery of the hearing aid is not the end of the process. At Clinicaudio, we perform a personalized fitting of the device and follow-up appointments to ensure it performs exactly as you need it to.
At Clinicaudio we accompany you every step of the way, from the first evaluation to the follow-up after the hearing aid fitting.
How to complete the process at Gencat
The PUA application is submitted online through the Tràmits Gencat portal, the official channel of the Department of Social Rights. To access the form, you need digital identification: IdCat Mòbil, Cl@ve, or a digital certificate.
The application period is 45 calendar days from the publication of the call for applications in the DOGC, which usually occurs during the first half of the year. Submitting an application outside of this period will result in automatic rejection.
If you want to know the application process in detail, requirements, necessary documentation and usual schedule of the call for applications, you will find everything in our complete guide to PUA aid in Catalonia.
Regarding income tax: According to the official catalog of the Department of Social Rights, the PUA (Universal Child Allowance) for the purchase of hearing aids is expressly exempt from income tax. You will not have to declare it as a capital gain.
Why Clinicaudio is the ideal partner for this process
Managing a PUA involves coordinating several aspects simultaneously: audiological evaluation, device selection, technical documentation, and follow-up. It’s not complicated, but it does require that each step is done correctly to avoid delays in the application.
At Clinicaudio, we have years of experience working with patients who access their hearing aids through public assistance in Catalonia. This means that:
We know the clinical criteria that the administration evaluates and we prepare the audiometric reports in a way that meets the requirements of the call for applications.
We help you choose the right model before you submit your application, so there are no discrepancies between what you request and what you ultimately receive.
We are transparent about our prices. If the model you need exceeds the amount covered by the PUA, we’ll tell you before you make any decisions.
We’ll accompany you afterwards. Fitting a hearing aid is a process, not a single moment. We make the necessary adjustments and provide follow-up to ensure your hearing experience truly improves.
Our centers are located in various places in Catalonia, so we’re sure to have one near you.
Frequently asked questions about PUA and hearing aids
How much does PUA help cover for hearing aids in 2026?
According to the program’s official catalog for the latest call for applications, the PUA covers up to €1,400 for one hearing aid (code 408) and up to €2,800 for two hearing aids (code 409). These amounts include ear molds and the ear tube.
Can I choose any hearing aid or are there model restrictions?
You can choose the model that best suits your hearing loss, as long as its price doesn’t exceed the maximum amount established by the program. If the model costs more, you’ll have to pay the difference. At Clinicaudio, we’ll advise you on the options available within your budget.
Do I need to have the hearing aid before or after requesting help?
The usual process is to apply for assistance first and then purchase the hearing aid after receiving a favorable decision and payment. The Generalitat (Catalan government) pays 100% of the amount upfront before you make the purchase.
Can I process the PUA without going through Clinicaudio?
Yes, the applicant completes the process directly through the Tràmits Gencat portal. Clinicaudio participates in the clinical (hearing assessment and report) and commercial (device selection and purchase) aspects, but not in the administrative processing. Our comprehensive guide to PUA grants in Catalonia explains the requirements and application schedule in detail.
How long does it take to process the request?
The maximum processing time is three months from the application deadline. If the decision is favorable, payment will be sent via bank transfer before you complete your purchase.
Is PUA assistance for hearing aids taxable on income tax returns?
No. According to the official catalogue of the Department of Social Rights, PUA aid for the purchase of hearing aids is expressly exempt from income tax.
How often can I reapply for PUA coverage for hearing aids?
The grant period is 4 years, except for those under 18, for whom it may be reduced to 2 years. You will not be able to reapply for the same benefit until that time has passed since the last grant.
Conclusion
The PUA aid program offers a real opportunity for many people with hearing loss in Catalonia who want access to quality hearing aids at a significantly reduced cost. The process isn’t complicated, but it does require following the steps in the correct order: first the hearing assessment, then the device selection, and finally the application process.
At Clinicaudio, we’re here to make that process easier. If you think you may be eligible for assistance or simply want to learn more without obligation, the first step is a free hearing assessment.
Shall we begin?
Do you want to know all the details of the online process?
If you already know you meet the requirements and want to understand how the application process works, the deadlines, and the necessary documentation, in our complete guide to PUA aid in Catalonia you will find all the official information to prepare your application in advance.
Do you have hearing loss but don't know if it's enough to qualify for PUA?
The first step to finding out if you are eligible for assistance is to determine your exact level of hearing loss. In our article on what hearing loss is and how it is treated, we explain the different degrees of hearing loss and the level at which hearing aids are indicated, which is also the level that the administration uses to assess eligibility for assistance.
