Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act of 2026

This bill establishes a two-year demonstration project to test whether the VA should cover FDA-cleared over-the-counter hearing aids (like those sold in stores without a prescription) for eligible veterans. It directly affects veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss who are enrolled in VA care, have a clinical evaluation confirming medical need, no contraindications, and access to smartphone technology. The project compares outcomes and costs between veterans using FDA-approved OTC hearing aids and those using professionally fitted prescription aids across multiple VA facilities. The results will inform whether the VA should permanently cover OTC hearing aids under existing law, measuring both health benefits and fiscal impact.