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119-s-3739119th CongressWALLET

Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

Introduced

Summary

Evaluate covering FDA-cleared over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for veterans. This bill would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a two-year demonstration comparing FDA-cleared OTC hearing aids with audiologist-fitted prescription hearing aids and to collect fiscal and clinical data.

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  • Veterans enrolled in VA care with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who a VA audiologist determines need an OTC hearing aid, who have no FDA contraindications, and who can use a mobile phone and data or Wi‑Fi would be eligible to participate.
  • The demonstration must run at no fewer than two VA medical centers in different Veterans Integrated Services Networks to reach urban and rural veterans. Participants would be split roughly equally between OTC and audiologist-fitted groups to compare self-reported benefit, speech recognition in noise, and the two-year fiscal impact of permanent OTC coverage.
  • The Comptroller General would study how many people in the U.S. have mild-to-moderate hearing loss, their medical coverage for hearing aids, and how effective that coverage is. The report, due within 18 months, may include recommendations and examine contract design for purchasing devices.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Veterans OTC Hearing Aid Trial

If enacted, VA would run a two-year demonstration testing FDA-cleared over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The trial would begin within one year after enactment and run at least two VA medical centers in different regions, including rural and urban settings. About half of participants would get OTC hearing aids and half would get audiologist-fitted prescription hearing aids. To join, you would need VA enrollment under section 1705(a) and an audiologist’s clinical finding that an OTC device is medically necessary for mild-to-moderate hearing loss. You would also need no FDA-specified red-flag conditions and access to a smartphone with data or Wi‑Fi. VA would measure self-reported benefits and speech-in-noise performance, consult consumer groups, provide an interim report within one year of the trial start, and submit a final report within 180 days after the trial ends that evaluates fiscal effects of permanent OTC coverage.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

TN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

  • Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 1/29/2026

  • Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]

    MT • R

    Sponsored 4/14/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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