Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 Reintroduced

March 21, 2017: U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), today reintroduced legislation to make hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss available over the counter (OTC). A companion bill led by Representatives Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) was also introduced in the House. Senate Bill number to come Wednesday, March 22, 2017. The bipartisan legislation would make certain types of hearing aids available over-the-counter (OTC) and remove unnecessary and burdensome requirements that currently create barriers for consumers who could benefit from hearing aids. Approximately 30 million Americans experience age-related hearing loss, yet only about 14 percent of those with hearing loss use assistive hearing technology, often because they cannot afford costly hearing aids. See the Call for Action page for more information about how you can make a difference! http://hearingloss.org/content/call-to-action-otc