WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 16, 2015 - The International Hearing Society (IHS) today announced the re-introduction of bi-partisan federal legislation that seeks to improve veterans’ access to critical hearing healthcare services. H.R. 353, introduced on January 14, 2015 by U.S. Representatives Sean Duffy (R-WI), Timothy Walz (D-MN), and Raul Ruiz, MD (D-CA), would enable the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to hire hearing aid specialists to help address the increasing demand for hearing aid services and make care more convenient for veterans.
With hearing loss and tinnitus being the two most prevalent service-related disabilities for veterans, despite the VA’s best attempts, veterans face several challenges in accessing care. These difficulties include long wait times for appointments, long distances to VA clinics that provide audiological care, and inadequate fitting or counseling services. As a result, many Veterans are seeking the help of independent hearing aid specialists for hearing tests, programming assistance, repairs, and counseling.
“Our Veterans have made the ultimate sacrifice and commitment to our great country, and we must do all we can to honor our commitment to them, including ensuring they have access to high-quality and convenient hearing healthcare,” said 1SG Matthew Eversmann, U.S. Army (ret.) and National Spokesperson for the Fit to Serve campaign. “Hearing is essential to remaining productive in the workforce and leading a fulfilling and engaged life.”
The bill, strongly supported by the International Hearing Society and its Fit to Serve initiative, is similar to those introduced in the 113th Congress. H.R. 353 would enable the VA to hire licensed hearing aid specialists to participate on the audiologist-led VA hearing healthcare team providing services comparable to what they are currently authorized to provide in the VA’s contract network – performing hearing aid evaluations, recommending hearing aids, and performing hearing aid fittings, adjustments, and repairs.
It would also require the VA to report annually to Congress on wait times for hearing healthcare appointments, and the utilization rates of audiologists and hearing aid specialist both internally and within the fee-for-service network – thereby encouraging the VA to use all professional avenues available in order to address the backlog and improve care for Veterans.
Legislation introduced in the previous congress – the 113th – quickly gained the support of several prominent veteran services organizations, including American Veterans, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans of America, and VetsFirst, as well as the National Medical Association. The Senate bill, S. 2311, was also supported by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
On the introduction of H.R. 353, Rep. Duffy said, “Veterans in my district are driving up to 90 miles one way just to get hearing services from an audiologist at the Veterans Administration. These Veterans could receive the same service from a local hearing instrument specialist, but under current law, the VA is only allowed to use audiologists. This bill will change that. By adding hearing specialists to the approved list, it will give greater freedom, flexibility, and more options for the men and women who have served our grateful nation.” H.R 353 is one of Rep. Duffy's "First 5 for '15" - his first introductions of the year on key priorities.
Representative Walz, the highest ranking enlisted soldier to ever serve in Congress, said, “Hearing loss from veterans both young and old is becoming a growing problem and, because of an outdated law, the VA is struggling to keep up with demand. This forces Veterans to travel long distances and endure even longer wait times. Our bipartisan, commonsense bill simply allows veterans to utilize hearing aid specialists to get the care they need, which will reduce the burden on VA audiologists and improve the quality of life for veterans in need of care.”
About Fit to Serve:
Founded by the International Hearing Society, “Fit To Serve” is a campaign dedicated to improving the hearing healthcare system for America’s Veterans. Our goal is to ensure timely access to high quality hearing health care for all Veterans. We are committed to serving the Veterans who have served all of us. Learn more by visiting www.fittoserve.us or www.facebook.com/ihsfittoserve.
