AAO-HNS Surgeons to Advocate for Hearing Health Legislation on Capitol Hill
Priorities include the Stop CMV Act, Ally’s Act, and Medicare physician reimbursement reform.
Category: Legislation
Legislation
Latest
Legislation
Latest
New Bill Seeks to Clarify Fully Implanted Hearing Devices Are Not Hearing Aids
The bill seeks to clarify that fully implanted active middle ear hearing devices aren't subject to Medicare hearing aid coverage exclusion.
Legislation
Latest
BDA’s Comprehensive Plan for Empowering the Deaf
The British Deaf Association announces its 10-year Strategic Vision for empowering deaf communities and promoting inclusion in the UK, following the BSL Act 2022.
Kansas Law Changes Hearing Loss Terminology
A bill in Kansas to change references in state law to those with hearing loss from “hearing impaired” to “hard of hearing,” was signed into law on April 19, according to an article on the “WIBW 13” website.
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Legislation in Fl, Iowa Aim to Help Children with Hearing Loss
Legislation related to early testing for a virus known to cause hearing loss and support for educational intervention for children with hearing loss, were passed in Florida and Iowa.
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Sens. Grassley, Warren Issue Bill to Spur FDA’s Final Rule for OTC Hearing Aids
The bipartisan “Delivering Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Now Act” follows the FDA’s proposed rule implementing over-the-counter hearing aids in October 2021, which was issued more than a year after the statutory deadline and over four years after the law’s passage.
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Kansas Senate Updates Hearing Loss Terminology
The Kansas Senate approved a final bill that updates the term “hearing impairment” to “hard of hearing” in state statute, according to an article in the “Kansas Reflector.”
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Florida Senate Passes Hearing Aid Bill for Children
“SB 498” stipulates that “’a health insurer issuing an individual policy that provides major medical or similar comprehensive coverage for a dependent child’ to cover hearing aids at $3,500 per ear for two years, including at least six ear molds over that same period,” according to “WFLA.”
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Phrase ‘Deaf and Dumb’ Slated for Removal from Tennessee State Code
In an effort to remove what some call “offensive language,” from state code, Tennessee legislators are petitioning to purge the phrase “deaf and dumb” from the records and replace it with “deaf or hard of hearing,” according to an article in “Newsweek.”
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Hearing Aids May Be Covered By Insurance in Washington State Soon
A new bill introduced in the Washington State Legislature may make coverage for exams, fittings, and hearing instruments, among other things, mandatory for health insurance companies beginning in January 1, 2023, according to an article in “The Olympian.”
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Sen. Tina Smith Introduces Bill for Veteran’s Hearing Care
A bill introduced by Minnesota Senator Tina Smith may ease the way for veterans to receive treatment for tinnitus or hearing loss related to their military service.
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BSL May Become Recognized Language in UK
A new bill introduced by a member of British Parliament, Rosie Cooper, could help make British Sign Language (BSL) a recognized language, according to an article in “The Guardian.”
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Sens. Grassley, Warren Support FDA Rule on OTC Hearing Aids
In a letter to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock, Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) expressed their support for key provisions in the FDA’s proposed rule for regulating over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids.
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Maine Bill Would Mandate CMV Testing in Newborns
A new bill winding its way through the Maine Legislature would make newborn screenings for cytomegalovirus (CMV) compulsory in the state, according to an article on the “News Center Maine (WCSH)” website.
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Starkey Releases Statement Addressing Biden’s Competition Council Announcement
A statement from Starkey President Brandon Sawalich addresses President Biden’s announcement about the White House Competition Council, which was established by the July 2021 Promoting Competition in the American Economy executive order advancing US economic competition.
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Eargo Supports Proposed Rule for OTC Hearing Aids
Eargo, Inc (Nasdaq: EAR), a medical device company on a mission to improve the quality of life of people with hearing loss, announced the submission of public comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerning its proposed rule to create a new regulatory category of over the counter (OTC) hearing aids.
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HLAA Files Comments to FDA for OTC Hearing Aid Rule
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) announced that it filed comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on its proposed rule establishing Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids. Once finalized by the FDA, consumers 18 and older with mild-to- moderate hearing loss will be able to purchase hearing aids at retail and online outlets.
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NAAG Urges FDA to Preserve State Regulation of OTC Hearing Aids
The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) cautions that OTC hearing aid rules currently under review by the FDA may unintentionally hinder or repeal important consumer protection authorities, undermining states’ ability to ensure safe and affordable access to hearing aids. Currently, all 50 states have hearing professional licensing requirements and many have important protections for hearing aid consumers, including advertising restrictions, as well as mandatory warrantees and returns.
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