No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes a two-year demonstration project, to commence not later than one year after enactment, for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate covering FDA-cleared over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids under 38 U.S.C. 1707(b)—the statutory authority for VA hearing aid coverage—similar to prescription hearing aids, including their effectiveness compared to audiologist-fitted prescription devices and fiscal impact of permanent coverage. Eligible participants are VA-enrolled veterans for whom an audiologist determines an OTC hearing aid is medically necessary for mild-to-moderate hearing loss, with no FDA-specified red flags or contraindications and access to a mobile phone with data/Wi-Fi; the project occurs at least two VA medical facilities in different Veterans Integrated Service Networks serving diverse rural and urban veterans. The project design allocates approximately equal participants to (1) an FDA-cleared OTC hearing aid group and (2) an audiologist-fitted prescription hearing aid group, measuring self-reported benefits, speech recognition in noise, and two-year fiscal impacts. The VA Secretary must consult consumer and stakeholder organizations; submit an interim progress report to the Senate and House Veterans' Affairs Committees one year after commencement; and submit a final report with fiscal impact evaluation and recommendations 180 days after project completion. "FDA-cleared OTC hearing aid" means a device cleared and fully regulated by FDA under section 520(q) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360j(q)) with self-personalization features such as hearing tests, software, and smartphone apps. (As background, section 520(q) authorizes regulation of OTC hearing aids as non-prescription devices for adult mild-to-moderate hearing loss.)
This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on the furnishing of hearing aids and related examinations to veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss under section 1707(b) of title 38, United States Code. The study must examine (1) the number of individuals in the United States with such hearing loss who need hearing aids, (2) their medical coverage relating to obtaining hearing aids, and (3) the effectiveness of such coverage; it may also examine contract design for purchasing hearing aid devices. Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment, the Comptroller General must submit to Congress a report on the study that includes recommendations on changes to Department of Veterans Affairs programs and benefits—including establishment of new programs and benefits—to meet the needs of such veterans.