On World Hearing Day, Rep. Kevin Mullin Introduces Bill to Help Patients Afford Hearing Aids

Washington, D.C. - March 3 is World Hearing Day and as America approaches tax season,Congressman Kevin Mullin (CA-15) introduced the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act to make hearing aids more accessible for middle to low-income families.

For the over 50 million Americans with some degree of hearing loss, hearing aids can offer a lifeline that enables them to participate in everyday activities. However, traditional Medicare does not cover the extremely high cost of hearing aids, and private health insurance coverage varies widely. Without hearing aids, many hard-of-hearing adults are at dramatically higher risks of developing dementia, depression, and anxiety.

While taxpayers can deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses from taxable income, this option is only available to people who file itemized deductions which are generally high-income earners. As a result, 94% of medical expense related tax savings go to the top half of income-earners, making it difficult for middle class and low-income individuals to attain the same benefits.

"As someone who is hard of hearing, I understand what an essential part of everyday life hearings aids can be. It is not an exaggeration to say they allow me to do my job and show up for my constituents every day." Mullin said. "Hearings aids are a basic right and something that everyone who is hearing impaired should be entitled to if they choose. I'm introducing this bill so middle and lower-income individuals don't have to choose between their hearing and affording other necessities."

The Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act addresses this issue by creating a tax credit targeted to middle to lower income earners. Specifically, the bill would:

• Provide tax credit of up to $1,000 for income-qualified taxpayers who purchase a hearing aid.
• Cover the purchases of both prescription and over the counter hearing aids.

Mullin's bill has been lauded by leading audiology and hearing-related organizations for working to increase hearing aid access.

"The ability to communicate effectively is a fundamental human right," said American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 2026 President Linda I. Rosa-Lugo, EdD, CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow. "ASHA greatly appreciates Representative Mullin's efforts to reduce financial barriers that prevent people from obtaining essential communication devices such as hearing aids, and for his commitment to expanding access to the full range of services available to individuals with hearing loss."

"Providing a hearing aid tax credit to our patients is a great first step to removing barriers and fulfilling our advocacy agenda of increasing awareness of the importance of hearing health, improving access, and elevating the audiology profession," said American Academy of Audiology President David Zapala, PhD. We are deeply grateful to Representative Mullin for his leadership of advancing hearing health legislation and the timely introduction of this bill so close to World Hearing Day on March 3."

"ADA applauds Representative Mullin for introducing legislation to create a hearing aid tax credit," said Dr. Jill Davis, President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA). "Hearing health is essential to overall health and quality of life, yet cost remains a significant barrier for millions of Americans who need hearing aids. A hearing aid tax credit will provide much-needed financial relief, making these critical medical devices more accessible to millions of Americans."

"The Hearing Loss Association of America is pleased to endorse Representative Kevin Mullin's (CA-15) Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act," said Barbara Kelley, Executive Director, Hearing Loss Association of America. "This legislation would provide meaningful financial relief by offering a tax credit of up to $1,000 to income-qualified consumers purchasing either prescription or over-the-counter hearing aids. HLAA applauds Representative Mullin for championing this effort to ensure that more people can obtain the hearing technology they need to stay connected and thrive."

"Hearing loss affects nearly 48 million Americans, and the consequences of leaving it untreated go far beyond difficulty hearing - we're talking about increased risks of dementia, depression, social isolation, and more. Hearing aids can change that, and the Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act would put access within reach for the people who need it most. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is proud to support this legislation and the commitment to making hearing healthcare a priority for all Americans," said Rahul K. Shah, MD, MBA, Executive Vice President and CEO of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

View the full text of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit Act here.

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