Hearing Health Policy and Advocacy

The challenge of writing an edition like this one is simultaneously evaluating the current climate of hearing healthcare while also ensuring the material written in the edition provides knowledge to readers for years to come. As editor-in-chief, Catherine Palmer, tasked us with making this edition both “timely and timeless.” It is likely that by the time this edition is published in early 2022, things will have changed since these pieces were written in summer and autumn 2021. For example, the Federal Drug Administration guidelines for over-the-counter hearing aids will have been released for public comment. We currently are watching the Congress to see what will be included in new legislation with regard to potential coverage of hearing devices and much needed updates to the classification of audiologists under Medicare.

I am a great believer that to have a clear vision of where we are going as a profession and to develop a proactive, informed plan of how to move forward successfully, we need to understand where we have been and how we got here. The purpose of this edition is to arm the audiology professional with broad, in-depth knowledge to support advocacy for our profession and more importantly, our patients. To accomplish this goal, we will review the audiologist's status under Medicare and how this often impedes access to audiologic care and the audiologist's ability to provide efficient, quality care. Many of our colleagues have limited knowledge of these definitions and the fact that it will take an act of Congress to accomplish many of our goals. Additionally, this edition will provide the reader with foundational knowledge about state and federal legislation and advocacy, review previous and current legislative efforts at both the state and federal level, and offer concrete strategies to act as advocates for hearing healthcare. Finally, exciting visions and health policies for the future of hearing healthcare are shared. We think the vast ground covered in this edition will provide invaluable information for years to come.

In closing, please consider my personal request to you: For progress to occur, we don't need a small handful of advocates doing advocacy “perfectly.” We need every single professional doing any little bit they can to advocate on behalf of our patients, even if imperfectly. (note: this is a modified quote from Anne-Marie Bonneau)

Happy reading!

Publication History

Article published online:
15 June 2022