WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced the Direct Access to Audiology Services Act, legislation that would cut through burdensome red tape and prevent unnecessary costs and delays that many Medicare beneficiaries incur before they can receive hearing loss care. Most Medicare patients must first be given a physician’s referral and then an Otolaryngologist’s (ENT) referral before gaining access to an audiologist, the only health care professional trained and licensed to evaluate and treat hearing disorders. But under Brown’s legislation, Medicare beneficiaries would be given the choice of direct access to a qualified audiologist, saving time and money for patients and the Medicare system. 

“Seniors with hearing impairments should be able to receive the treatment they need without having to jump through hoops and incur delays and unnecessary costs,” Brown said. “By giving seniors the choice of immediately seeing an audiologist without first having to receive multiple referrals, the Direct Access to Audiology Services Act would cut red tape for seniors so they can concentrate on getting their hearing back; and save Medicare beneficiaries and the federal government valuable resources.” 

Hearing impairment affects 36 million Americans, including 610,000 Ohioans. By 2030, hearing loss will affect more than 78 million Americans, including one-third of those aged 60 and over and up to 50 percent of those aged 75 and over. But while 92 percent of hearing loss can be treated with hearing aids alone, the average person waits seven years before seeking treatment. This is due in part to the onerous process of gaining access to a qualified audiologist and its cost. If left untreated, hearing loss becomes a barrier to participating in society economically and socially, and can result in isolation and depression. Further, by passing the Direct Access to Audiology Services Act, and eliminating the referral requirement, the federal government could save taxpayer money by cutting duplicative and unnecessary services like medical appointments solely for the purpose of a referral.

Requiring a physician’s referral for audiology services is out of step with most private insurance programs, the VA, and the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program (FEHBP); and is inconsistent with Medicare’s own system since beneficiaries can access other non-physician providers directly, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, optometrists, chiropractors, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, clinical nurse specialists, nurse-midwives, and podiatrists.

“As an Ohioan and the president-elect of the American Academy of Audiology, I commend Senator Brown for leading this essential initiative to improve access to hearing care for seniors in Ohio and throughout the country,” said Erin Miller, a practicing audiologist at the University of Akron. “This initiative removes current barriers that make it difficult for seniors to access the care that they need.”

Brown’s legislation is endorsed by the American Academy of Audiology, the National Rural Health Association, and the Hearing Loss Association of America.

Brown serves on the board of Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., a college dedicated to the education and career development of deaf and hard of hearing students. Ohio is one of three states that train the most audiologists, with five doctoral programs in audiology (Bowling Green State University, Kent State University, The Ohio State University, Ohio University, and the University of Cincinnati).

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