Q. What is H.R. 3508?
A. H.R. 3508 is a bill that will amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the qualifications of hearing aid specialists of the Veterans Health Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.
The bill will authorize the appointment of hearing aid specialists in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). It will require an eligible person to: (1) hold an associate’s degree in hearing instrument sciences or its equivalent from a college or university approved by the VA Secretary or have successfully completed an approved hearing aid specialist apprenticeship program, and (2) be licensed as a hearing aid specialist or its equivalent in a state.
Q. What can I do to help?
A. VFW-related Veterans contact Raymond Kelley, VFW National Legislative Service Director, at 202-543-2239 x8352 or [email protected]. Veterans should share with the VFW 1) the challenges they are having in accessing hearing aids and follow up services through the VA, 2) their experience with hearing aid specialists as a solution, and 3) urge support for H.R. 3508.
Thanks so very much for your help. For additional talking points, you can go to www.fittoserve.us. With questions, contact FIT TO SERVE at [email protected] or 571-212-8596.