Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wis.) announced on Friday that he will introduce legislation that provides more medical care and assistance to hearing-impaired veterans.
Hearing loss is an issue for both older veterans and younger veterans who recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan. More veterans seek treatment for hearing loss each year than for any other disability related to military service, according to the Department of Veteran Affairs.
As more veterans seek treatment for hearing loss, VA audiology facilities have been unable to meet the growing demand, Duffy said.
Many veterans have been forced to travel great distances to see an audiologist, or go without treatment.
“Veterans in my district are driving up to 90 miles one way just to get hearing services from an audiologist at the VA,” Duffy said. “These veterans could receive the same service from a local hearing instrument specialist, but under current law, the VA is only allowed to use audiologists.”
This week Duffy will introduce legislation that would address the problem by adding hearing instrument specialists to the list of medical providers the VA is allowed to use.
“This will provide greater freedom, flexibility and more options for the men and women who have served our grateful nation,” Duffy said.