Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Self, Keith [R-TX-3]
In Committee
Summary
Testing VA coverage of FDA-cleared over-the-counter hearing aids. This bill would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a two-year demonstration comparing FDA-cleared OTC hearing aids to audiologist-fitted prescription devices to gather clinical and fiscal evidence for permanent coverage decisions.
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- Veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who are enrolled in VA could join if an audiologist finds an OTC hearing aid medically necessary, they have no FDA-defined red flags, and they can operate the device with a smartphone and data or Wi‑Fi.
- The demonstration would run for two years at a minimum of two VA medical centers in different Veterans Integrated Services Networks, comparing outcomes under VA audiological best practices.
- The VA must produce a final report within 180 days after the demonstration ends that evaluates clinical outcomes and the fiscal impact of permanent OTC coverage, and the Government Accountability Office would report to Congress within 18 months with recommendations on VA hearing aid programs.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
OTC Hearing Aid Study for Veterans
If enacted, the bill would require VA to run a two-year demonstration of FDA-cleared over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. The study must start within one year of enactment and run for two years at at least two VA medical centers in different regions. About the same number of veterans would be placed in two groups: an OTC device group and an audiologist-fitted prescription hearing aid group. You could join only if you are enrolled in VA annual patient enrollment, a VA audiologist determines an OTC aid is medically necessary for mild-to-moderate hearing loss and finds no FDA red-flag contraindications, and you have a mobile phone and data or Wi‑Fi to operate the device. VA would measure self-reported benefits and speech recognition in noise, consult consumer groups, and send an interim report one year after the study starts and a final report within 180 days after the study ends. The final report would include an evaluation of the two-year fiscal impact of permanently covering OTC devices under existing VA law.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Self, Keith [R-TX-3]
TX • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3]
WI • R
Sponsored 5/21/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov