Sponsors (4)
The bill pilots lower-cost OTC hearing aids and builds evidence to inform VA coverage decisions—potentially improving access and lowering costs for many veterans—but risks short-term suboptimal care for some participants, resource diversion, exclusion of veterans without digital access, and possible future budget pressure if benefits are expanded.
Veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss could gain access to lower-cost FDA-cleared over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids through the VA demonstration and any subsequent program changes, improving hearing and quality of life.
Congress, the VA, and GAO will obtain evidence on clinical effectiveness, costs, and coverage gaps that can guide whether and how to expand VA hearing-aid benefits with clearer fiscal and policy expectations.
The demonstration will directly compare OTC devices to audiologist-fitted prescription aids, potentially identifying lower-cost options that maintain speech recognition in noise for veterans.
If OTC devices prove less effective than audiologist-fitted aids, participating veterans may receive suboptimal hearing support during the trial.
The demonstration, evaluation, and GAO reporting will consume VA and federal resources for at least two years, potentially diverting staff time from other VA services and imposing costs on taxpayers.
If trial results prompt a permanent expansion of VA coverage, implementing new programs or benefits could increase federal spending or force trade-offs within VA budgets.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires VA to run a two‑year demo comparing FDA‑cleared OTC hearing aids with prescription fittings for eligible veterans and orders a GAO study on hearing‑aid coverage.
Creates a VA demonstration comparing FDA‑cleared over‑the‑counter (OTC) hearing aids to audiologist‑fitted prescription hearing aids for veterans with mild‑to‑moderate hearing loss, and orders a Government Accountability Office study of VA hearing‑aid coverage. The VA must start the two‑year demo within one year of enactment, run it at multiple sites (rural and urban), randomize eligible veterans into OTC and prescription groups, track outcomes over two years, and issue interim and final reports; GAO must report to Congress on coverage and needs within 18 months.
Introduced January 29, 2026 by Marsha Blackburn · Last progress January 29, 2026