WASHINGTON, D.C. - Recently, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) launched a new website as part of its campaign to spur passage of a federal tax credit of up to $500 per hearing aid for boomers, seniors and parents of children with hearing loss. About 40 percent of people who do not use hearing aids, according to a recent BHI national study, are more likely to purchase them in the near future if the tax credit were available.
The BHI Web site, www.hearingaidtaxcredit.org, is an excellent resource and tool for those concerned about the needs of people with hearing loss. It will reach out to adults 55+ and parents of children with hearing loss and help to ensure that their voice is heard in Washington. The website underscores BHI's vital role as the "Advocates for America's Ears."
"Our effort is grounded in the sad fact that although 95 percent of people with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids, fewer than 23 percent of such Americans (7.38 million people) currently use them," said BHI Executive Director Sergei Kochkin, Ph.D. "That's tragic, and we as a nation must do better."
"Nearly 2 out of 3 adults with hearing loss cite financial constraints as a core reason that they do not wear hearing aids," said Kochkin. "With the hearing aid assistance tax credit, boomers, seniors and parents of children would have the financial boost they need to get their hearing loss treated. These people are the reason that Congress needs to step up and take action."
Hearing loss affects an estimated 31.5 million (1 in 10) Americans:
Among the most prevalent birth defects in America, it affects 3 infants per 1,000 births.
1.4 million children under 18 have a hearing loss.
More than 10 million older Americans have age-related hearing loss.
Passage of H.R. 2329, introduced by Reps. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY) and Vern Ehlers (R-MI) and S. 1410, introduced by Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) could assist up to 1.2 million children and 11.5 million Americans ages 55 and above in treating their hearing loss. It could help those in need save up to 25-35 percent on the purchase of hearing aids.
Neither Medicare nor the vast majority of state mandated benefits cover hearing aid purchases. In fact, more than 70 percent of hearing aid purchases involve no third party payment at all, which places the entire burden of the purchase on the consumer. The average cost for a hearing aid, including fitting, evaluation, and post-fitting treatment, in 2004 was $1,800. Almost 2/3 of individuals with hearing loss require two devices, increasing average out of pocket expenses to $3,600.
Extensive research demonstrates that treatment with modern hearing aids brings measurable improvements in social, emotional, psychological, and physical well-being, for both patients and their family members.
The hearing aid assistance tax credit has won the support of the bipartisan Congressional Hearing Health Caucus, and, in an unprecedented fashion, organizations representing hearing health professionals, consumers, educators, providers, and manufacturers: the Hearing Loss Association of America (formerly SHHH), International Hearing Society, Deafness Research Foundation, the American Speech Language Hearing Association, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Alliance, the American Academy of Audiology, the A.G. Bell Association, and the Hearing Industries Association.
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