Alexandria, VA, May 4, 2007- The Hearing Industries Association (HIA) is hosting its biennial "Hearing on the Hill" to spotlight hearing loss and treatment and the importance of hearing health on Wednesday May 16 for Senators, Representatives, House and Senate staff, agency staff and others with an interest in hearing health. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Representatives Carolyn McCarthy and Vern Ehlers are cooperating on the event which will be held at the Library of Congress.
HIA represents manufacturers of hearing aids and related devices, and the association has hosted "Hearing on the Hill" as an educational event at the start of each Congressional session for the past decade. As part of the event, hearing health professionals from around the country will provide confidential hearing screenings, which take a maximum of 10 minutes. Hearing loss affects one in ten Americans, and is the third most common chronic health condition facing seniors today. At the opposite end of the age spectrum, hearing loss is also the most prevalent birth defect in America, and the sensory deficit affects 1.2 million children under the age of 18.
The day's events will focus on the bipartisan Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act which would provide a $500 tax credit for the purchase of a hearing aid by those 55 and older and dependent children. Hearing aids are expressly excluded from Medicare coverage and from most health insurance policies, while financial constraints are cited as a core reason why 30% of those with a hearing loss do not use hearing aids. The tax credit is designed to address this problem.
"Hearing on the Hill" will open with hearing screenings and a briefing luncheon in honor of the Congressional Hearing Healthcare Caucus from 12:00 PM -1:30 PM. The hearing screenings will be held from 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM, and a reception will be held for visitors from 5:30 PM - 6:45 PM. For more details, contact Andy Bopp with HIA, 703-684-5744.
HIA is the trade association of the companies that manufacture hearing aids, hearing aid components and batteries. Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, HIA represents the majority of hearing aids purchased in the US on an annual basis.
