National Hearing Industry Alliance (NHIA) Conducts Capitol Hill Visits, Co-Hosts Hearing Care Awareness Event

Members Meet with Key Congressional Offices to Urge Endorsement of Proposed Bill and Health Care Reform Provisions that Support Hearing Health

LOUISVILLE, Ky., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Members of the National Hearing Industry Alliance (NHIA), a division of the National Association of Specialty Health Organizations (NASHO), met with key representatives in Washington, D.C. last week to urge support of the hearing aid tax credit bill as well as to advocate for pediatric hearing care in essential health benefits as defined by the Affordable Care Act.

NHIA Board members Cindy Beyer of HearUSA, Michele Fusco of Amplifon and Brad Volkmer of EPIC Hearing Health Care along with John Keene of HearUSA joined Julian Roberts, Executive Director of NASHO to conduct the visits. Chairwoman Cindy Beyer highlighted the widespread impact of the proposals stating, "Less than half of the 37 million Americans with hearing loss adopt the use of hearing aid technology, largely due to prohibitive costs and inadequate insurance. The Hearing Aid Tax Credit would place these vital corrective measures within reach, improving job performance, social well-being and quality of life. Similarly, pediatric hearing care facilitates early diagnosis and treatment to foster healthy cognitive development."

Afterwards, the NHIA envoy teamed up with other hearing organizations as part of the Friends of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus (FCHHC) to host a Hearing Health Forum and Reception in the Rayburn House Office Building. The occasion included hearing screenings and music player noise level tests to promote hearing health awareness. Future FCHHC events are planned.

About the National Association of Specialty Health Organizations (NASHO):
NASHO is a subsidiary association of the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO) (www.aappo.org), founded to advance and evolve specialty healthcare delivery in the United States. Its mission is to enhance and promote the value proposition of specialty health organizations. To learn more about NASHO, visit www.nasho.org.

About the National Hearing Industry Alliance (NHIA):
NHIA is a subsidiary association of the National Association of Specialty Health Organizations (NASHO) (www.nasho.org), launched to promote the merits of hearing health care. Its mission is to positively influence the hearing care industry by serving as a primary resource for the health care industry and their consumers through unified educational efforts.

SOURCE National Hearing Industry Alliance (NHIA)