RENO, Nev — The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) and Hearing Industries Association (HIA) thanked Rep Dean Heller (R-NV) for his support of hearing health issues—including the hearing aid tax credit (HR 2329)—during the HLAA Convention on June 13. Heller welcomed the HLAA members to Reno and added that he will do everything possible to support this legislation, which he referred to as one of the few bills that he has decided to co-sponsor in this Congress. Heller was also interviewed at the conclusion of the program by a camera-team from NBC television in Reno, and he answered questions about the importance of passing the hearing aid tax credit. 

Brenda Battat, president of HLAA, and Andy Bopp, director of government relations for HIA, welcomed Heller to the event. HR 2329 has attracted 92 House co-sponsors including fellow Nevada Representatives Shelley Berkley (1st district) and Jon Porter (3rd district). The legislation would provide a $500 tax credit towards the purchase of a hearing aid for children and for people 55 and older. Medicare excludes hearing aid coverage as do most private insurance policies. As a result, nearly two thirds of people who do not seek hearing aid treatment report that cost is a primary barrier.

For more information on the Hearing Aid Tax Credit, visit www.hearingaidtaxcredit.org.

SOURCE: HLAA