On May 16, the Friends of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus (FCHHC) hosted a hearing forum and reception for representatives, congressional staff, and others interested in hearing health. The event was organized by the Hearing Industries Association (HIA) and sponsored by leading hearing advocacy organizations.

Event attendees could have their hearing screened by hearing professionals, as well as test the volume of their music player ear buds using a testing dummy provided by the American-Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). They could also participate in a video otoscope demonstration using equipment provided by MedRX. Representatives of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) also hosted an interactive display.

Reps Tom Latham (R-Iowa) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), co-chairmen of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus and lead sponsors of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit, helped to organize the event and stopped by to greet the hearing health advocates who attended.

The FCHHC event was sponsored by AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, American Academy of Audiology, American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, ASHA, American Tinnitus Association, HIA, Hearing Loss Association of America, International Hearing Society, National Court Reporters Association, and the National Hearing Industry Alliance.

The group also hosted a briefing luncheon on how the military and Veterans Administration are handling the surge in hearing loss/tinnitus cases related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

SOURCE: Hearing Industries Association