On the Need for a Hearing Aid Tax Credit
by Stephen O. Frazier
October 2005
Editor: You've probably heard about the hearing aid tax credit
proposal, which would allow a tax credit when a person buys a hearing
aid. The bills haven't been passed yet, but the possibility of getting
these bills through Congress is looking better all the time.
Here's Stephen Frazier's letter with some good arguments for the
bill. Stephen invites people to model a letter to their congresspersons
on his work, and includes some helpful information on how to do that
following his letter.
Steve is VP for PR for the Albuquerque Chapter of Self Help for Hard
of Hearing People (SHHH). Take a minute to visit their wonderful website
at www.abqshhh.homestead.com. While you're surfing, also have a look at
the Hearing Aid Tax Credit website Steve put together - http://www.nowhearthis.homestead.com/
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Hearing loss does not just affect the individual, it affects those
around that person - family, friends, co-workers and, often, the general
public. It can be the cause of family friction, lowered productivity at
work, loss of contact with the outside world.
Based on averages reported in a study by Gallaudet University, the
nation's premier institution of higher learning for the Hard of Hearing
and the Deaf, it is estimated that there are in excess of 150,000 Hard
of Hearing citizens in the state of New Mexico and an additional 10,000
who are deaf. The great majority of these people, including many of
those who are deaf, could benefit greatly from the use of hearing aids
but, unfortunately, only a small percentage of these people have the
devices.
The single largest impediment to the use of hearing aids is cost.
Although there are models available for under $1,000, the average
hearing aid now costs $1,700 ($3,400 for a pair). For the most advanced
technology, the cost can be considerably higher. Even at the average
figure, the cost puts hearing aids out of reach for many with hearing
loss - particularly that 26% of the public over the age of 65, nearly a
third of whom have some degree of hearing loss.
According to government statistics, hearing loss in seniors is the
third most prevalent but treatable disabling condition, behind arthritis
and hypertension. Medicare, however, does not cover hearing aids nor do
almost all health insurance policies. For many seniors on a limited
income, what happens when they suffer hearing loss is often a gradual
withdrawal from social activities with friends and family resulting in
growing isolation, loneliness and a deterioration of their quality of
life because they do not have the financial resources to purchase
hearing aids.
Seniors, however, are not the only ones who suffer from hearing loss.
The Journal of the American Medical Association (April 8, 1998) reports
that 14.9% of children ages 6 to 19 have a hearing loss of at least 16
decibels in one or both ears. The American Academy of Otolaryngology
reported way back in 1990 that 7% of second graders and 15% of
eighth-graders have measurable hearing loss.
For the hard of hearing children of struggling young parents, the
lack of hearing aids can have a dramatic impact on the children's
education, their social skills, and their resulting success in life as
they go out into society. Untreated hearing loss in their early,
formative years, can handicap these children for the rest of their lives
even if they are later fitted with hearing aids.
To at least partially address this problem, a bill has been
introduced in the house by Congressman Jim Ryun of Kansas (HR 414 - the
Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act) that would make a $500 per ear
tax credit available to qualifying individuals once ever five years for
the purchase of hearing aids. A companion bill (S 1060) has recently
been introduced in the Senate by Senator Norm Coleman of Minnesota.
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People are welcome to adapt the information above to compose a letter
to their own delegation in Washington. They can come up with estimated
HoH figures for their state by going to the Gallaudet University web
site, printing a copy of a the information posted there on the
Prevalence and Characteristics of Persons with Hearing Trouble, then
checking the U. S. Census figures for the population in their state. The
Gallaudet report's address is: http://gri.gallaudet.edu/Demographics/factsheet.html
People can learn more about both the Senate and House versions of the
bill at the SHHH web site. For info on the house bill:
www.hearingloss.org/html/HC.html and for info on the Senate bill is:
www.hearingloss.org/html/HC01.html .