New VA Pilot Program Would Test OTC Hearing Aids for Veterans

A bipartisan pair of House lawmakers has introduced legislation to improve veterans’ access to over-the-counter hearing aids through the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to a press release from Congressman Kevin Mullin (D-CA).

Rep. Mullin and Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) introduced the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act (HR 9001), a bill that would create a 2-year VA pilot program to evaluate FDA-cleared OTC hearing aids for eligible veterans with perceived mild-to-moderate hearing loss. The House legislation is a companion to S. 3739, introduced in the Senate by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

Hearing loss remains the most common service-connected disability among U.S. veterans. Supporters of the bill say OTC hearing aids could help address access challenges, particularly for veterans facing long waits for audiology appointments or living in rural and high-demand areas.

The OTC hearing aid category was established after Congress passed legislation in 2017 directing the Food and Drug Administration to create a new class of hearing devices for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. FDA-cleared OTC hearing aids are now available directly to consumers without a prescription or in-person fitting requirement.

Under the proposed legislation, the VA would test whether OTC devices can be used safely and effectively for certain veterans while still maintaining clinical supervision and VA oversight. The bill would require the VA Secretary to select at least two VA medical centers in different Veterans Integrated Services Networks to participate in the pilot program.

The legislation also calls for an interim report to Congress after the first year and a final report at the end of the two-year pilot. Those reports would assess the program’s outcomes, effectiveness, and financial impact on the VA.

Rep. Mullin said the bill is intended to ensure that veterans can obtain hearing support without unnecessary financial or access barriers.

Rep. Self framed the proposal as both an access and cost-efficiency measure for the VA.

If the pilot proves successful, supporters say the measure could provide the VA with another option for addressing hearing care needs while potentially lowering costs.

The bill is backed by several veterans, hearing health, consumer, and professional organizations, including the American Legion, Vietnam Veterans of America, Concerned Veterans for America, Hearing Loss Association of America, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, AARP, and Consumer Technology Association.

“Establishing a demonstration program in the Veterans Administration to test coverage of over-the-counter hearing aids will improve the quality of life for numerous veterans. This demonstration project will also provide data and insights into how access to self-guided hearing technologies can bring value to the VA by improving health outcomes at lower costs,” said Megan O’Reilly, Vice President of Government Affairs, AARP. “The demonstration project created by this bill will test the benefit of professional-fitted prescription hearing aids compared to self-guided over-the-counter hearing aids. Learnings from this two-year demonstration will help guide policy and coverage decisions so that more Americans can have access to affordable, high-quality hearing health care. AARP applauds your bipartisan leadership in caring for our nation’s military service members and your interest in improving hearing health for all Americans.”

“The Hearing Loss Association of America is proud to support the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act. Hearing loss and tinnitus are the most common service-connected disabilities, yet far too many veterans face obstacles when seeking the hearing health care they need. By allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs to evaluate the use of FDA-approved, self-fitting over-the-counter hearing aids, this legislation offers a practical solution that could expand access, reduce costs, and empower veterans to take an active role in managing their hearing health. We commend Congressmen Self and Mullin for their leadership and look forward to working together to get this legislation passed,” said Barbara Kelley, Executive Director, HLAA.

“CTA strongly supports the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act because it puts affordable, over-the-counter innovation to work for veterans,” said Kinsey Fabrizio, President, CTA. “CTA has long championed policies that expand access to safe, effective OTC hearing aids, and this legislation builds on that commitment by cutting red tape, reducing costs, and delivering faster access to hearing care for veterans—while also saving taxpayer dollars.”

“ADA applauds representatives Self and Mullin for introducing the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act,” said Jill Davis, Au.D., President, ADA. “Authorizing audiologists to make clinical determinations about the appropriateness of OTC hearing aids for their veteran patients will support innovation and flexibility, while maintaining necessary safeguards. This legislation will ensure that veterans have the same access to all safe and effective options for the treatment of mild-to-moderate hearing loss that are already available to other Americans.”

“The American Legion is proud to support the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act. This legislation establishes a two-year pilot program to expand access to over-the-counter, self-fitting hearing aids for veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. By modernizing outdated VA processes and reducing barriers to care, this bill ensures that veterans can obtain the hearing support they need quickly and affordably… On behalf of our 1.5 million members, The American Legion thanks the sponsors of this bipartisan legislation for advancing practical, cost-effective solutions that enhance veterans’ health care and independence,” said Cole Lyle, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Director, The American Legion.

SOURCE: Rep Kevin Mullin