Yellowhammer Times

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee have sent a letter to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins, advocating for greater access to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for veterans. The senators argue that hearing loss and tinnitus are among the most common service-connected disabilities affecting veterans, and expanding access to OTC devices could reduce healthcare costs while improving veterans’ quality of life.

In their letter, the senators wrote: “We strongly believe that allowing Veterans to access these advanced, yet affordable, hearing solutions can address some of the current barriers in the system, such as long wait times for audiologist appointments and the limited availability of certain types of hearing aids, particularly as enrollment in the VA system continues to grow. Expanding access to these devices is a step toward ensuring our Veterans receive timely, high-quality care that aligns with the options available to civilians. To that end, Congress is working on legislation directing the VA to develop a demonstration program to assess the fiscal impact and clinical effectiveness of OTC hearing aids within the VA system, and we hope you will support our efforts to advance this proposal swiftly.”

The senators noted that nearly 30 million American adults experience some degree of hearing loss. Veterans are at higher risk due to exposure to loud noises during service. According to the VA, more than 2.7 million veterans receive compensation for hearing loss.

Although federal law changed in 2017 when President Trump signed the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act as part of broader FDA reauthorization efforts, which led to final rules from the Food and Drug Administration in 2022 making OTC hearing aids more accessible for civilians, current policy under Veterans Health Administration Directive 1034 prevents veterans from obtaining these devices through VA channels.

The letter further stated: “Allowing Veterans to access OTC hearing aids, particularly those with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, could have significant benefits. Not only would it improve their quality of life by reducing the severity of cognitive decline, depression, and other health challenges commonly linked to hearing loss, but it would also provide substantial cost savings for the VA health care system, especially as untreated hearing loss has been shown to be associated with higher health care costs and utilization. Additionally, Veterans would benefit from devices that are available at a fraction of the cost of traditional prescription hearing aids, and the VA could redirect the savings to further support the wide array of services needed by our Veterans.”

Senator Tuberville has also introduced or supported several bills related to expanding alternative treatment options for veterans and improving their access to community care.

In closing their message, Tuberville and Blackburn said: “As the VA works to modernize its approach to deliver timely care and improved outcomes for our Veterans, we look forward to partnering with you and your team to ensure that Veterans, regardless of their physical location, have access to high-quality hearing solutions that enhance their health and well-being, while also reducing the financial burden on the VA. Thank you for your leadership and commitment to the health and welfare of our Veterans. I am confident that together we can make significant strides in addressing the hearing health needs of our nation’s heroes.”

Senator Tuberville serves on multiple Senate committees including Armed Services; Agriculture; Veterans’ Affairs; Health Education Labor & Pensions (HELP); and Aging.