Barrett Introduces Legislation to Expand Veterans Access to Hearing Aid Specialists

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07), Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, today introduced the Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act to make it easier for veterans to access timely hearing aid services.

“Veterans deserve timely, high-quality health care no matter where they live,” said Barrett. “Expanding the VA’s community care program to include hearing aid specialists, when it already covers other specialists, is a commonsense way to achieve that goal. This bill is a simple fix that will make a big difference, especially for rural veterans, by giving them more options and less red tape when it comes to maintaining their hearing health.”

Under current policy, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Program covers audiologists but excludes licensed hearing aid specialists—professionals who are qualified to fit, adjust, and repair hearing aids. This gap in coverage often forces veterans to travel long distances or wait extended periods to receive care at a VA facility, even for basic hearing aid maintenance.

The Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act would change that by allowing veterans to seek care from licensed hearing aid specialists in their local communities, ensuring faster and more convenient access to the services they need.

CLICK HERE to read the bill.

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