Rep. Garballey Supports Hearing Aid Bill for Youth

The Massachusetts Hearing Aids for Children Coalition (MassHAFCC) announces that Governor Deval Patrick has proclaimed May 17, 2011 “Massachusetts Hearing Loss Awareness Day”.

MassHAFCC is a statewide network of families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing and professionals working together to maximize a child’s lifetime potential through educational, medical, social and emotional support.

MassHAFCC is coordinating with Rep. Sean Garballey (D -Arlington/Medford) on House Bill 52 “An Act to Provide Access to Hearing Aids for Children,” which is scheduled that day for public hearing at the State House before the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. House Bill 52 aims to provide insurance coverage for hearing aids for children 21 years old and under, up to $2,000 per aid every 36 months. To date, 18 states have enacted hearing aid insurance coverage mandates.

House Bill 52 would serve to significantly lessen the financial burden for the families of the approximately 200 children out of 80,000 live births annually in the Commonwealth who are born with some degree of permanent hearing loss requiring hearing aids.

MassHAFCC events on May 17th include:

9:30 a.m.: RALLY on the Massachusetts State House steps at 9:30am. Deaf/hard of hearing children, parents, families, professionals and supporters of House Bill 52 will be present.

10:00 a.m.: MassHAFCC children will meet with members of House and Senate at a special reception hosted by Rep. Garballey.

10:30 a.m.: Testimony before the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities at 10:30 in Room A-1 for House Bill 52.

Hearing loss is one of the most common birth defects in the U.S., occurring in ~3 of every 1,000 births. Research has shown that early identification of hearing loss and amplification with hearing aids in children prior to 6 months of age yields significantly better receptive and expressive language and vocabulary, personal-social skills and speech production. Children who do not receive early intervention cost schools an additional $420,000 and face overall lifetime costs of $1,000,000 in special education, lost wages and health complications.

– Information from State Representative Sean Garballey (D-Arlington, Medford)