ALEXANDRIA, Va — Highlighting "Hearing on The Hill '07," Representatives Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Vern Ehlers (R-MI) introduced the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, HR 2329, in the US House of Representatives on May 15 and Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) introduced the companion bill, S 1410, in the US Senate.

Representatives of most member companies of the Hearing Industries Association (HIA), host of the biennial “Hearing on The Hill,” were on Capitol Hill to applaud the introduction of the bill and to lobby Members of Congress in support of the legislation in over 50 individual meetings in Congressional offices that day.

HIA Chair Cathy Henderson Jones, Phonak, launched “Hearing on the Hill '07” at the Library of Congress, noting for those assembled that “the tax credit legislation we are here to introduce has only supporters, and together all of our efforts will enhance the services and products we deliver to people with hearing loss in America.” She and former HIA Chair Jerry Ruzicka, Starkey Laboratories, welcomed Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) who introduced his companion bill in the US Senate that day. Coleman has championed the tax credit legislation in the last two Congresses. The Senator welcomed the hearing health care community to Capitol Hill by noting that “it takes a little time in Washington to get things done. The key to success is often just staying at the table.”

Coleman told the story of his father's hearing loss and success with hearing aids, underscoring the importance of treating hearing loss. The Senator further reinforced the importance of the tax credit for hearing aid purchases, emphasizing that “In America, there shouldn't be a financial threshold for you to have the ability to hear...”

Following the Senator's speech, HIA hosted a luncheon featuring Margaret Giannini, MD, director of the Office on Disability at HHS, and presentations by Brenda Battat, Hearing Loss Association of America, and Gayla Hutsell, Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Subsequent to the luncheon, HIA conducted hearing screenings for Members of Congress and Congressional staffers.

“Hearing on the Hill '07” concluded with a reception at the Library of Congress. Opening with an original rap song about hearing protection, “Turn It To The Left,” by Ben Jackson, compliments of the American Academy of Audiology Foundation, the HIA event lauded House Members James Walsh (R-NY), and HR 2329 co-sponsors McCarthy and Ehlers. Representatives McCarthy and Ehlers both welcomed the group to Washington and reinforced the theme of patience in getting legislation passed.

Rep McCarthy reminded the group that, “Members need to see people from their communities here, talking about things that need to be done to make people's lives better.”  She encouraged everyone to stay in touch with their elected officials, assuring the group that “it will make a difference in the end.” Rep Ehlers emphasized the importance of addressing hearing health issues including the tax credit that will provide a measure of assistance for children and older Americans. Rep Walsh also expressed his support for the bill and reviewed initiatives in the area of infant hearing screening and treatment.

HR 2329 and S 1410, the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Acts, provide a $500 per hearing aid tax credit for seniors age 55 and older and dependent children, every 5 years.

Headquartered in Alexandria, VA, HIA is the trade association of the companies that manufacture hearing aids, hearing aid components and hearing aid batteries and associated equipment. HIA members produce most of the 2.3 million hearing aids purchased annually in the United States.

Source: HIA