Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) led their colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act, legislation to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities on Medicare can access a full range of hearing and balance health-care services provided by licensed audiologists.
Currently, audiologists are classified as non-physician healthcare professionals trained in diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating individuals with hearing, balance, and related disorders. Although Medicare covers various hearing services, it does not recognize audiologists as providers. They only receive reimbursement for a limited set of diagnostic tests—and only if a patient first obtains a physician or nurse practitioner’s order.
“Outdated Medicare rules are preventing seniors from accessing the vital services audiologists provide,” said Senator Warren. “We’re introducing this bill because older Americans and people with disabilities deserve access to the full range of care they need.”
“The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act removes needless government barriers so Americans can access hearing care directly and affordably. It shows that when Congress focuses on practical solutions, we can work across the aisle to improve health care.”
–Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.)
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
“I’m proud to have helped improve access to high-quality and affordable hearing aids through the Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Act in 2017. However, millions of Americans are affected by hearing loss, and more work needs to be done to reduce barriers,” said Senator Grassley.
“I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing this bill to expand access and allow more seniors and individuals with disabilities to get help from a trained audiologist,”
Strong Bipartisan and Stakeholder Support
The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D‑N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D‑Minn.), Cory Booker (D‑N.J.), Peter Welch (D‑Vt.), and Angus King (I‑Maine).
Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)
“Senior citizens deserve access to high quality audiology care and services they need,” said Senator Booker. “Too many patients suffering from hearing problems struggle to access care because current Medicare rules limit the range of services available. This legislation will remove barriers to accessing audiology care, expand the treatments available, and allow more audiologists to participate in Medicare.”
“Too many Granite Staters suffering from hearing loss are met with bureaucratic barriers when trying to access the care that they need… Medicare does not recognize audiologists as providers… I’m proud to work across the aisle to introduce bipartisan legislation that does exactly that,” said Senator Shaheen.
“Excessive red tape has made it increasingly difficult for more than 70,000 Vermonters who experience hearing loss and need access to audiology services… I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bipartisan legislation to make it easier for seniors and folks with disabilities to get the audiology care they need,” said Senator Welch.
Legislation Endorsed by Leading National Organizations
The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act is supported by leading national organizations including AARP, the ASHA, AAA, ADA, Hearing Loss Association of America, and the Hearing Industries Association.
“The American Speech‑Language‑Hearing Association thanks Senators Warren, Paul, and Grassley for their continued leadership to ensure seniors have more streamlined and robust access to hearing and balance care provided by audiologists,” said ASHA 2025 President Bernadette Mayfield‑Clarke, Ph.D., CCC‑SLP. “ASHA looks forward to supporting their efforts to remove unnecessary bureaucratic barriers that unfairly penalize seniors and prevent them from accessing critical hearing and balance care in a timely and cost‑effective manner.”
“ADA applauds Senator Warren, Senator Paul, and Senator Grassley for championing the Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act (MAAIA) to remove red tape so that seniors and individuals with disabilities have streamlined access to crucial hearing and balance healthcare services. Eliminating burdensome pretreatment order requirements and classifying audiologists as Medicare practitioners will allow patients to receive timely, evidence-based care that improves communication, reduces fall risks, and enhances overall quality of life.”
–Amyn Amlani, Ph.D., President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology
The American Academy of Audiology’s President Patricia Gaffney, AuD, MPH, stated, “The leadership of these three dedicated senators in advancing audiologic access nationwide reinforces the vital work audiologists do every day to improve hearing and balance health care. For patients, this legislation represents a meaningful step forward—ensuring timely access to the essential services needed for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of hearing and vestibular disorders.”
