Press Releases

Today, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright announced the introduction of the Help Extend Auditory Relief (HEAR) Act with the support of 12 members of Congress.

According to the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), one third of individuals over the age of 65, and nearly half of those over 85, report some degree of hearing loss.  Within Pennsylvania, 1,601,000 residents report some degree of hearing loss, which represents 12.9 percent of the state population.

The HEAR Act would provide Medicare coverage for hearing rehabilitation services, including a comprehensive audiology assessment to determine if a hearing aid is appropriate.  The bill would also extend Medicare coverage to hearing aids.

“This is the beginning of a national conversation about how to make hearing aids more affordable and we must continue to strengthen Medicare as seniors struggle for access to affordable healthcare,” said Cartwright.  “After years of hard work, Pennsylvania’s seniors have earned the right to a high quality of life during their golden years.” 

According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), people aged 50 and older with untreated hearing loss were more likely to report depression, anxiety, anger and frustration, emotional instability and paranoia than those who wore hearing aids.

The National Grange has endorsed the HEAR Act.

"Hearing loss is becoming a normal occurrence for many Americans, especially senior-aged Americans who are already struggling to pay all of their healthcare costs.  Hearing aids need to be covered by healthcare plans, including Medicare, to ensure that these patients have access to a basic tool that could dramatically improve their quality of life,” said Grace Boatright, Legislative Director of the National Grange.  “The Grange is happy to support this bill and we hope to see it passed in the near future." 

Original Co-Sponsors:

Rep. Robert Andrews [NJ-1], Rep. Tony Cárdenas, [CA-29], Rep. Yvette Clarke [NY-9], Rep. Raúl Grijalva [AZ-03], Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson [TX-30], Rep. Barbara Lee [CA-13], Rep. Jerrold Nadler [NY-10], Rep. Eleanor Norton [DC], Rep. Ed Perlmutter [CO-7], Rep. Gary Peters [MI-14], Rep. Bobby Scott [VA-3], Rep. Juan Vargas [CA-51]