Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act Introduced

October 2003

Editor: Representative Jim Ryun of Kansas, who has been a consistent supporter of people with hearing loss, has recently introduced a bill that provides for SOME hearing aid purchasers to claim a federal tax credit of up to $500 per device. Yes, it's only $500 per device, and there are limits on how often a person can claim the credit, and not everyone is allowed to take advantage of it. There are lots of disadvantages. But it's a START, and can be expanded once it becomes established.

As you would expect, SHHH is a strong proponent of this bill. Here are portions of their recent email encouraging people to support the bill. It includes a more detailed explanation of the bill, and a model letter you should write to your representative to encourage him to support the bill.

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U.S. Representative Jim Ryun (R-KS) introduced H.R.3103, the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, which will provide a tax credit of up to $500 per device toward the purchase of hearing aids. SHHH and the Hearing Industries Association, worked to improve H.R. 943, an earlier version of the Bill.

The tax credit may be taken by an individual age 55 or older purchasing a hearing aid for their own use, or by a parent purchasing a hearing aid for a dependent child or parent. The tax credit is not refundable and may be used once every five years.

The Bill has no restrictions on which type of hearing aid and professional provider the consumer may select. The credit will apply to any hearing aid that is considered a "qualified hearing aid" under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

Co-sponsoring the bill are Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Rep. Jim Walsh, (R-NY), and Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ). Rep. Ryun, a former Olympic miler, is well known to SHHH members for his "early morning runs with Jim Ryun" at past SHHH conventions. A hearing aid user himself, Rep. Ryun is aware of the benefits and is taking the lead in making them more available.

Other organizations supporting the bill are the Hearing Industries Association and the American Academy of Audiology.

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ACTION ALERT!!!!

What Do You Need to Do? Help get more co-sponsors for Bill H.R.3103. Please contact your representatives and urge them to co-sponsor Bill H.R. 3103.

To find direct contact information for your representative go to the Clerk of the House at http://clerk.house.gov/members/index.php

To phone your representative call U.S. Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121

Write or email your representative. Sample Letter/email:

The Honorable (full name)
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr./ Mrs./ Ms Last Name:

I support H.R. 3103, the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act, and ask that you co-sponsor it.

We need a special tax treatment for hearing aids because Medicare and most insurance do not cover them. While 95% of individuals with hearing loss could be successfully treated with hearing aids, only 22% currently use them. The average out of pocket expense for two hearing aids today is over $2,800, and thousands of people are unable to afford them.

(Use this paragraph to describe your own experience with hearing aids, why they are so important to you, and the burden the high costs place on your and your family.

I strongly support this Bill because it would bring the benefit of hearing aids to close to two million people with hearing loss - those over the age of 55 and dependent children.

Please show leadership on this issue and co-sponsor H.R. 3103.

Thank you very much.
Your name