Dear Friends,
October is National Audiology Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about hearing health and recognizing the vital role audiologists play in diagnosing, treating, and preventing hearing and balance disorders. With nearly 1 in 8 Americans experiencing some degree of hearing loss, this observance serves as an important reminder that hearing health is a critical part of overall well-being. Untreated hearing loss has been linked to social isolation, cognitive decline, depression, and an increased risk of falls—making early detection and treatment more important than ever.
Audiologists are highly trained professionals who provide essential services such as hearing evaluations, hearing aid fittings, balance assessments, and rehabilitation. National Audiology Month highlights their contributions and encourages individuals to take proactive steps toward better hearing health. This includes scheduling routine hearing screenings, especially for older adults or those regularly exposed to loud noise. The month also promotes safe listening practices and the use of hearing protection to prevent long-term damage, particularly among younger populations who frequently use headphones or attend loud events.
In addition to raising awareness, National Audiology Month also shines a light on the need for greater access and equity in hearing healthcare. Many individuals face barriers to care due to cost, insurance limitations, or geographic challenges. Expanding access to affordable hearing aids, tele-audiology services, and culturally sensitive care is essential to ensuring everyone can benefit from quality hearing support.
Earlier this month, I spoke at the Pennsylvania Academy of Audiology’s conference, where I had the opportunity to discuss two bills introduced this session that are moving through the legislative process to make hearing technology more accessible for those with hearing loss. One is my bill, which helps people pay for hearing aids, and the other improves access to care.
I’ve been trying to move my bill to require insurance cover some of the costs of hearing aids for a few sessions. I am hopeful that HB 1670 is gaining some more traction in the House. The chair of the Aging & Older Adult Services Committee has agreed to host a hearing on the bill to help my colleagues who are members of the committee better understand the implications of the bill. This legislation will give the same hearing aid benefit that is currently enjoyed by the state and federal employees to the public. Hearing aids usually cost anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000, creating a fiscal barrier for individuals with hearing loss to gain necessary care. Currently, in the commonwealth, hearing aids are only covered by Medicaid to those under the age of 21. My bill would require that insurers cover at least $2,500 in out-of-pocket hearing aid costs.
Providing coverage for hearing loss offers a clear return on investment, with the benefits far outweighing the costs. Around 15% of the US adult population, or 44 million people, has some level of hearing loss. An estimated 14.6 million people in the United States live with an untreated, disabling hearing loss. Based on findings from a European study, this results in an economic burden of approximately $133 billion annually in the U.S.—equivalent to about $9,100 per person with disabling hearing loss. For context, a “disabling hearing loss” is a loss greater than 35 decibels in the better-hearing ear.
This translates to an estimated $5.9 billion in annual costs for the Commonwealth due to lost productivity, increased healthcare needs, and related consequences. These numbers underscore the significant economic and public health impact of untreated hearing loss and highlight the value of expanding coverage for hearing healthcare.
Individuals with untreated hearing loss face a range of negative health and socioeconomic outcomes compared to those with normal hearing. They experience higher rates of unemployment, poorer overall physical health and well-being, and lower levels of physical activity. Research also shows that untreated hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of developing other chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Additionally, there is a well-established link between untreated hearing loss and cognitive decline, including a heightened risk of dementia. Addressing hearing loss through proper treatment can help reduce these risks—particularly for stroke, depression, and dementia—and significantly improve quality of life.
Neighboring states have passed similar legislation. Maryland’s HB 1339, which was signed into law in 2024 and took effect on January 1, 2025, expanded hearing aid coverage to include adults under certain health insurance plans. While Maryland previously required hearing aid coverage for children, the legislation mandates that insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and HMOs provide up to $1,400 per hearing aid, per impaired ear, every 36 months for adults. Hearing aids must be prescribed, fitted, and dispensed by a licensed audiologist. If a patient chooses a hearing aid that exceeds the $1,400 coverage limit, they can pay the difference out-of-pocket without penalty to the provider. This law addresses a significant coverage gap and ensures that more Maryland residents can access necessary hearing healthcare.
The demand for audiology services has been steadily increasing, resulting in a shortage of audiologists across the Commonwealth. To help address this issue and expand access to care, I co-sponsored HB 80, introduced by Representative Venkat, which would allow Pennsylvania to join the Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact (ASLP-IC). Joining this compact would create a streamlined process for audiologists and speech-language pathologists to practice across state lines without requiring additional licenses. This would make it easier for qualified professionals from other states to serve patients in Pennsylvania, improving access—especially in underserved areas.
Currently, 34 states have joined the ASLP-IC, including our neighboring states Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, and West Virginia. The bill passed the House unanimously and is now under consideration in the Senate’s Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee.
I look forward to updating you as these bills progress through the legislative process. My goal is to improve every Pennsylvanian’s access to care and hearing aids.