Posted:
A bipartisan bill introduced in Congress would create a pilot program to expand access to over-the-counter hearing aids for veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act was introduced in the House by Representatives Kevin Mullin and Keith Self as a companion to a Senate bill introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn and Adam Schiff.
According to the bill's sponsors, hearing loss is the most prevalent service-connected disability among American veterans, and many veterans experience long wait times for audiology appointments, particularly in rural or high-demand areas. The legislation would establish a two-year pilot program to expand access to over-the-counter, self-fitting hearing aids for veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The FDA established the over-the-counter hearing aid category, which covers adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, following 2017 legislation, with the category taking effect in 2022.
This bill has been introduced but not enacted. Over-the-counter hearing aids are intended for perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss and are not a substitute for a professional evaluation for people whose hearing needs may be greater.
Read the press release here.
