Lake Forest, IL - June 24, 2009 – In a time when many citizens are struggling to make ends meet, dealing with a loss of retirement income due to diminishing investment values, and trying to cope with the high costs of healthcare, many in need of hearing aids are forced to go without. They can't afford them. Insurance companies often won't cover them. While federal and some state government officials are trying to lessen the burden of hearing aid costs, discount hearing aid providers like Hearing Central LLC are making them more affordable in the meantime.
“It's great that state and Federal legislators are aware of the problem and working towards solutions that help patients,” says Phil Wyatt, CEO of Hearing Central LLC. “Unfortunately though, not everyone can wait. If a patient needs hearing aids right now in order to improve the quality of their life, they need to look for other options. We provide one of those options--discount hearing aids of the same or better quality to hearing aids obtained through an audiologist--by cutting out the middleman. Because we serve as both manufacturer and distributer, we eliminate some of the traditional markups. By selling our hearing aids online, we also manage to decrease overhead, making hearing aids much more affordable to those who need them."
Hearing Central wants consumers to be aware of current or recently passed legislation that may help them with the cost of hearing aids. Some of those federal and state initiatives include:
- The Hearing Aid Assistance Tax Credit Act -- Different versions of this bill are currently in the Senate and House of Representatives. Both versions of the bill (an act to amend the IRS code) would give taxpayers a rebate of up to $500 per hearing aid, once every five years. The primary difference between the two versions being considered is the taxpayers who would be covered. The House version would offer the rebate to seniors age 55 and older as well as to parents or guardians of dependants in need of hearing aids. The Senate version of the bill does not have age limitations. All taxpayers would be eligible.
- Indiana's House Enrolled Act 1311 -- As of late May, 2009 this bill designed to make hearing aids more affordable to children who need them in a learning environment, passed the Indiana House 90-1. It was signed by Governor Mitch Daniels. The bill creates a hearing aids assistance program for children in need, while also allowing the state government to create a refurbishing program for hearing aids.
- Oregon's House Bill 2589 -- This month the Oregon House passed HB2589 which requires insurance coverage for hearing aids for children under the age of 18. The state Senate amended the bill to include dependents pursuing further education. The bill passed both the House and Senate, and is waiting for Governor Ted Kulongoski's signature.
Hearing Central offers an option to those not covered by existing laws at the federal or state level through discounted hearing aids. "Patients can save thousands without sacrificing quality," says Wyatt. The company offers both analog and digital hearing aids, including the Digi-Ear and Melody digital hearing aid lines.
About Hearing Central LLC
Hearing Central LLC is an Illinois-based manufacturer and Internet retailer of hearing aids. The company is committed to bringing consumers top quality, American-made hearing aids at wholesale prices by cutting out the middle man. They pride themselves on offering affordable hearing aids at around a 75% discount when compared to similar models sold in hearing professional offices. All models are manufactured and sold according to FDA standards. Hearing Central is a sister company of Medical Central Online and Patient Net, which have provided medical solutions and consulting services to hospitals, nursing homes, and home care agencies since 1996.
For more information about Hearing Central LLC, to arrange an interview, or to learn more about cost-efficient hearing aid options, please visit www.HearingAidsCentral.com or www.HearingAidCentral.com, or contact Phil Wyatt at 847-295-6946.

(by emailwire.com)

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