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by Stefanie Reeves
Individuals purchasing hearing aids could get financial relief through legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Reps. Carolyn McCarthy (D-New York) and Vernon Ehlers (R-Michigan) with 21 House members introduced H.R. 2329, the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, which would provide a tax credit of $500 per hearing aid every five years for seniors 55 and older and for dependents of taxpayers.
Although H.R. 2329 will not cover the entire cost of hearing aids, the tax credit provides some financial relief to those in need of the devices. The bill was introduced in May during Better Hearing and Speech Month.
Ten million older Americans have age-related hearing loss. A study by the National Council on Aging shows that, left untreated, hearing loss often results in distorted communication, isolation, withdrawal, depression, anger, and severely reduced overall psychological health, in addition to an average loss of income per household of up to $12,000 per year.
This bill will also help children. Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent birth defects in the United States, affecting two to three infants per 1,000 births. More than 1 million children under age 18 have hearing loss, according to the Better Hearing Institute.
Children can be fitted with hearing aids soon after birth. For those who do not receive early intervention, overall lifetime costs for special education, lost wages, and health complications are close to $1 million each.
"ASHA has been actively advocating for this bill," said ASHA President Noma Anderson. "Financial constraints are cited as a core reason many Americans do not use hearing aids. Hearing aids are currently not covered under Medicare or under the vast majority of state-mandated benefits.
"This bill will help people with hearing loss purchase these much-needed devices."
Stefanie Reeves, director of political advocacy, can be reached at 800-498-2071, ext. 4452 or sreeves@asha.org.
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