World Hearing Day - ACI Alliance and ASHA Meetings with Congressional Offices

In recognition of World Hearing Day, ACI Alliance partnered with the American Speech – Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) to conduct joint meetings with Congressional offices and their staff to discuss federal hearing health priorities. These meetings focused on advancing bipartisan legislation and strengthening federal programs that improve early identification, access to care, and long-term outcomes for individuals with hearing loss.

We met with the offices of Representatives Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Young Kim (R-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Glenn Grothman (R-WI) and Chellie Pingree (D-ME), as well as Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) to discuss federal hearing health priorities and key legislation and to request their support and co-sponsorship of current bills.

Throughout our meetings we highlighted three critical policy areas: the Stop CMV Act, Ally’s Act and the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program. Together, these efforts represent a coordinated approach to prevention, early diagnosis, and access to life- changing hearing technology. Specifically, we emphasized:

• How federal legislation strengthens early detection and intervention for infants and children with hearing loss
• The importance of access to and insurance coverage for advanced hearing technology, including cochlear implants and osseointegrated devices
• The long-term educational, developmental, and economic benefits of early identification and treatment
• The real-world impact these policies have had on children who are deaf and hard of hearing

Stop CMV Act

The bipartisan Stop CMV Act (H.R. 5435/S. 2842) would authorize federal funding to support congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) screening, education, and intervention programs. cCMV is the leading non-genetic cause of childhood hearing loss in the United States, yet public awareness remains low. By expanding screening and public health education efforts, this legislation aims to ensure earlier identification of infants at risk for hearing loss and other complications. Earlier detection allows for timely monitoring and intervention that can significantly improve health outcomes and health costs.

Ally's Act H.R. (4606/S.3400) is bipartisan/bicameral legislation designed to address gaps in private insurance coverage for hearing technology. The bill would require private insurance plans to provide coverage for cochlear implants and osseointegrated hearing devices for children and adults from birth through age 64, including related services such as programming, follow-up appointments, and associated clinical care.

Access to these devices is not elective, it is medically necessary for many individuals to develop spoken language, succeed academically, maintain employment, and fully participate in society. ACI Alliance has supported Ally's Act since its introduction and continues to advocate for its passage.

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI)

The EHDI program plays a critical role in ensuring newborn hearing screening, diagnostic follow-up, and early intervention services nationwide. EHDI supports states meet the “1-3-6” benchmarks: screening by 1 month of age, diagnosis by 3 months, and enrollment in intervention by 6 months. Continued federal support for EHDI is essential to prevent infants from being lost to follow-up and to ensure timely access to hearing healthcare services.

During these meetings, we asked offices to consider co-sponsorship and active support of the Stop CMV Act and Ally’s Act, as well as continued support and full funding for EHDI. We also underscored how early identification and intervention can reduce long-term healthcare costs, improve educational attainment, strengthen workforce participation, and enhance overall quality of life.

World Hearing Day provides a meaningful opportunity to remind policymakers that hearing health is a public health issue and priority. Early detection and access to appropriate technology do more than restore sound, they change the trajectory of a child’s life.