WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Veterans’ Affairs Committee has advanced an amendment to the Veterans’ ACCESS Act (H.R. 740) that explicitly includes Hearing Aid Specialists in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care program. The amendment, introduced by Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI), mirrors language from H.R. 3088, the Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act, which seeks to amend the VA Mission Act of 2018.
“Veterans deserve timely, high-quality health care no matter where they live,” said Rep. Barrett.
“Today, the House Veterans Affairs Committee took a step towards that goal by advancing my Veterans Hearing Health Expansion Act. This legislation would expand the VA Community Care program to finally include licensed Hearing Aid Specialists to be covered by the VA. I’m proud we could come together to send this critical legislation to the House floor and support our hearing-impaired veterans across America.”
The amendment aims to broaden access to hearing care for veterans by allowing them to receive services from licensed Hearing Aid Specialists regardless of their location or proximity to a VA facility.
Stakeholder Support and Next Steps
The International Hearing Society (IHS) expressed support for the amendment, viewing it as another development in recognizing the role Hearing Aid Specialists play in delivering hearing care.
Rep. Tom Barrett offering the amendment at the committee markup on July 23, 2025.
“We are enthusiastic that the Committee continues to consider hearing health to be an important part of healthcare for veterans, building on its past support for integrating hearing aid specialists on the in-house VA team,” said Alissa Parady, CAE, Executive Director of IHS. “IHS also appreciates having the support of Congressman Barrett, and we are excited for his continued involvement in securing veterans’ access to hearing aid specialists through the Community Care program.”
IHS expressed hope that the House of Representatives will continue to support policies that address access to hearing healthcare among veterans, particularly for those who live far from VA facilities.
About the International Hearing Society
The International Hearing Society (IHS) is a membership association representing hearing healthcare professionals worldwide, including hearing aid specialists. IHS members perform hearing assessments, fit and dispense hearing instruments, counsel patients, and provide aftercare services. Founded in 1951, IHS advocates for hearing health and those who deliver it. For more information, visit www.ihsinfo.org.
Source: IHS
