hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
VA to test covering over-the-counter hearing aids for veterans.
Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Grassley introduced.
Introduced in Senate, referred to committee.
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a two-year demonstration project. The project will evaluate the effectiveness and cost impact of covering FDA-cleared over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for eligible veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. Senators Blackburn, Schiff, and Grassley introduced this legislation. It is currently in the initial stage, awaiting consideration by the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.
Introduced Jan 29, 2026
This bill was introduced in the Senate on January 29, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. For it to become law, it would need to pass this committee, then be approved by the full Senate, and then pass the House of Representatives. Finally, it would go to the President for signature.
If this bill passes, the VA will start a two-year project. Eligible veterans enrolled in VA healthcare and diagnosed with mild-to-moderate hearing loss by an audiologist could participate and receive OTC hearing aids. The project aims to compare the benefits and costs of OTC hearing aids versus professionally fitted prescription ones. The findings from this project could lead to permanent changes in how the VA provides hearing assistance.
Supporters Say
Proponents believe this could expand affordable and accessible hearing aid options for veterans.
Critics Say
The bill text does not include explicit criticisms of this demonstration project.
Supporters of this bill likely see it as a way to leverage new technology to make hearing care more accessible and potentially more affordable for veterans. By conducting a demonstration project, the VA can gather data on the real-world effectiveness and cost implications before making a broader policy change. The bill text focuses on the study design and reporting, rather than outlining specific points of contention.