Rep. McCarthy Introduces Legislation to Provide Assistance to Individuals with Hearing Loss

Press Release

Rep. McCarthy Introduces Legislation to Provide Assistance to Individuals with Hearing Loss

Last week, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04) introduced the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act. This legislation provides a $500 credit for the purchase of hearing aids for people age 55 and older and for dependents of taxpayers. The bill was introduced in the 110th Congress as H.R. 2329, and it attracted bipartisan support from 110 cosponsors.

Most health insurance plans exclude coverage for hearing aid purchases. For example, hearing aids are excluded from Medicare coverage, and 72 percent of all hearing aid purchases involve no third-party payment.

"Hearing aids are costly, and we've found that financial constraints are often a barrier to purchase," said Rep. McCarthy.

According to the Better Hearing Institute, the average cost to treat hearing loss with a hearing aid is $1,800 per ear, and 67 percent of people require two devices. About 30 percent of people with hearing loss cite financial constraints as a core reason for not seeking treatment.

The failure to address hearing loss with a hearing aid is a serious problem for millions of Americans. The Better Hearing Institute estimates that 95 percent of people with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids, although only about 22 percent of people with hearing loss actually seek treatment.

"This legislation would provide a measure of financial assistance for older adults and children suffering from hearing loss. As a Member of Congress, I'm proud to work with my colleagues to make sure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable healthcare," said Rep. McCarthy.

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