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(ROCKVILLE, MD – Nov. 10, 2003) The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is asking Congress to amend the Social Security Act and provide for audiologic rehabilitation and treatment services by qualified audiologists under Medicare. The "Medicare Audiologic Rehabilitation Act of 2003" (H.R. 3464), as introduced by Congressman Jay Inslee (D-WA), seeks to allow Medicare recipients to receive audiologic services that enhance the effectiveness of and benefit from hearing devices, such as cochlear implants or hearing aids, as well as interventions to alleviate hearing disorders, such as tinnitus.
Said Inslee, "Recent studies indicate that at least sixteen percent of people stop wearing their hearing aids because they are dissatisfied with the devices, even though a few follow-up appointments could fix many problems. This is unfortunate, because hearing-impaired persons who do not use hearing aids report more depression and anxiety, and less social activity, than hearing-impaired persons who use hearing aids. My legislation would offer Medicare coverage for audiologic services, so that more seniors can afford needed follow-up care for their hearing devices."
Audiologic Rehabilitation (AR) includes using devices, techniques and counseling to improve listening and speech communication abilities for people with hearing loss. Through this assessment, audiologists ensure that devices used to assist those with hearing loss, auditory processing disorders, and tinnitus are fully utilized. Those devices include cochlear implants, hearing aids, middle ear implants, tinnitus maskers and assistive listening devices.
"We are delighted that Congressman Inslee worked with us to introduce this bill," said ASHA president Glenda Ochsner, PhD, CCC-SLP. "AR services are extremely important in providing tools for better hearing. This legislation will allow more seniors to work with audiologists to learn how they can fully utilize their hearing devices or better treat other hearing problems."
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 110,000 audiologists, speech, language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.
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