SOMERSET, NJ July 15 – Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) toured the U.S. headquarters of Oticon, Inc. in Somerset today, his first visit to the leading hearing manufacturer’s new five-story, 162,000 square foot office complex. Lance used the opportunity to discuss his support of H.R. 1317, the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act with Oticon President Peer Lauritsen. The legislation will provide a non-refundable $500 tax credit for the purchase of a hearing aid, or $1,000 if two are needed, once every five years.
(L-R) Andy Bopp, Director of Government Relations for HIA; Sheena Oliver, VP Marketing, Oticon; Oticon President Peer Lauritsen; Representative Leonard Lance; former NJ State Senator Bill Schluter; Tom Flavey, VP Operations, Oticon; and Rasmus Borsting, Oticon Executive Director.
Lauritsen praised Lance for his support of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit. “There are an estimated 800,000 people with hearing loss in New Jersey,” said Lauritsen. “Statistics show that only 160,000, less than 20 percent, get help. Untreated hearing loss is linked to isolation, depression and a diminished quality of life. The passage of the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act is needed to ensure that people with hearing loss across New Jersey have access to the hearing solutions they need to live full and productive lives.”
Lance spent time in Oticon’s state-of-the-art production facilities where the company produces many of the quality hearing devices that are used by credential hearing care professional throughout the U.S. The headquarters visit also gave Lance an opportunity to meet informally with Oticon’s highly skilled workforce that includes audiologists, engineers, technicians, sales, marketing and consumer service specialists and administrative staff.
As the Vice Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, Lane has been a champion of the products manufactured in the Seventh District of New Jersey. “Today I had the pleasure of touring Oticon, Inc., a state-of-the-art facility, in Somerset, New Jersey dedicated to advancements in hearing care,” said Lance. “I had the pleasure of meeting with many highly skilled professionals who demonstrated cutting edge technology that I believe will bring critical assistance to those in need. Oticon, Inc. will remain a premier innovator of hearing solutions. I congratulate them for their extraordinary work done here in Somerset County.”
For more information about Oticon, visit https://www.oticonusa.com/ or the Oticon Expo Page on AudiologyOnline.
